This is a spin-only zone.

Where have you been?

2008-10-01T22:49:50Z

Well, I'm living my dream now.
I've been working in television for a short time now. I've been planning large events and conventions in my area, I'm active in Freemasonry, a car club, church even! Though I tend to be a little bit too busy recently for the latter two ( ^_^;; that's bad), I'm happier than ever, but you can hardly tell by how exhausted I am now.

Like I mentioned, I've been doing some newsroom work with a local NBC afiiliate news station. It's been a lot of going out and doing camera operations and calling to confirm news that comes in off the wire so far, but recently, I began editing clips, and today even had my first two personal reports without the accompaniment of another reporter!
It's so satisfying to see your stuff go to air.

I was hoping I'd get to do stuff like this soon. I was doing the radio stint for three years, reading news copy over the air. But I'm glad to be doing some field reporting finally.

Unfortunately, it's pushed me increasingly farther away from things like LJ, and updating said LJ.
I'm actually considering, since I don't post any more, locking my entries up in Friends Only, not because I care what outsiders think of my writing... just... It's not good to have personal opinions in journalism, ya know. ^_~

Okay, one more!

2007-12-30T02:15:36Z

How come there is a springtime, summertime, and wintertime, but no falltime?
I think that's autumnal...

>:

How's it been?

2007-12-29T03:37:45Z

Hey folks. Well, it's been nearly a year since I updated pretty regularly.
I haven't fallen off of the face of the earth, but I found that with life at the radio station, and life away from the radio station to be pretty hectic, and my LJ got cut out of the picture in the process.

I think about you guys a lot. I remember how much fun it was to post and then read your entries.
I may just come back to updating one day, but there's already a blog after my heart at this time, and its become a labor of love to update it. Not one of my own, but I am a large contributor to it, and, interestingly, its Japanese culture section.
I had an opportunity to go there this fall, but said opportunity came as quick as it went.

I'll be checking in from time to time.

Allow me to close by pointing out a bit of news that has become characteristic of my blog... discussion on whatever new American currency may be in circulation soon. Here are the coming dollar coins.

Well, keep doing what you've always been. I hope your holidays have been nice. I'll be seeing you.

~Vespas_Desil
AKA, Christopher B.

Hah!

2007-04-27T15:36:54Z

I laughed at this.

Also, today an LJ ad directed me to a neat little service for US residents:
Go to the address box in your browser.
Type your zipcode.
Add '.us' to the end.

I wonder if it works for other postal codes elsewhere in the world.
Well, my city works 49686.us .

But K1P5R7.ca does not.
---WCB

Too darned good for its own good

2007-04-24T02:21:49Z

Heroes leaves you like twenty soap operas on a Friday.
That's my simile for the day.

This article came to me from weathernerds.
Everything comes from Weathernerds nowadays.
I guess it isn't a joke...

Ehhh. So many fallacies.

---WCB

A word that's not a word

2007-04-23T05:41:11Z

I have Word 2007, and I just typed "truthiness" into the processor.

And it didn't correct it.

That just doesn't seem right.

I thought I'd use it for my Mass Media paper which, in question two of the directions, states, and I quote:
"I am looking for the following in the paper... A name for two [mass media] functions and dysfunctions. Feel free to make up names (example: narcotization, trivialization etc...)."
So, I tried truthiness.
It didn't catch "blogosphere", which is fine, but the other was a blatantly made up word, by a mass media figure!
Incredible!

---WCB

#&$@!

2007-04-21T21:41:47Z

Concert by: Brian Regan

Brian Regan

Friday, May 4, 2007

State Theatre, Kalamazoo

Doors: 7:00 | Show: 8:00 pm

404 South Burdick

Kalamazoo, MI 49007

...Damn it all to hell...

He would be only two and a half hours away during finals week.

---WCB

Fly Like an Eagle

2007-04-19T13:40:20Z

FedEx ants planes landing ahead of a storm at Memphis Terminal.

I might have gotten a bigger kick out of this than you did. Being a weather nerd and all.
From... weathernerds

Oh, I'm meeting Subay Jared today. You know, from the commercials.

<3 2 VT

Srsly

2007-04-14T04:26:03Z

The media sets the agenda.

I'm not here to classify what is or isn't a racist statement, or what rates higher on the racist scale, but I've heard worse.
I've heard it used by black comedians. Heck, I've heard it used by white comedians. And now, a white shock jock.
I can say it, but you can't.

The media tells the audience what to hear.

Imus isn't my favorite morning radio show host. He's the first blithering liberal I've ever heard... mumble... incoherently. He sure did make a mistake. Big one too. And he apologized. Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson also got on his case, yet in the past they have made some racially charged comments and in some cases used their race as a crutch at some inappropriate times.

Mass communication is diffused through several audiences in channels.

The reason this story has gotten so much press has much to do, I believe, with a certain YouTube video from Imus's morning show. Because we wanted to see and hear Imus using derogatory statements to illustrate the Rutgers Women's Basketball, the media market catered.

The media sets the agenda.

I personally don't prefer Imus. Did he deserve to have his show canceled? Well, advertisers weren't approaching his time slot any longer, and, really, who wants to have their brand affiliated with a racist? Aside from that, Imus made a quick mistake -a rather dumb one, nonetheless- but the apology was accepted. He could have said he wasn't sorry. Then what?

The message is the medium.

Still, though, these girls weren't celebrities. They were just college girls who play basketball. Imus is after all a "shock jock" known for his jabs at celebs, but this just wasn't the right topic at which to poke fun.

It's simply too bad and too late for him. But I guess this should be a warning to be more careful with the freedom to speak openly. There are some derogatory statements that we are just trying to put in the past, but they will never go away. There's simply no right time for these statements, and this has been made clear.

How do you feel?

---WCB

Oh, it makes me wonder...

2007-04-12T03:31:52Z

Okay, so assuming that hundreds millions of people work for Verizon's "network", how is it that there can be so many "Can you hear me now?" guys following everyone around too? He's following every customer, in every commercial.
Cloning maybe? Hmm.
Do we really want more bespectacled cell phone salesmen?

Yeah, that guy. Sure, we hear you, just stop split reproducing!

---WCB

Happy Spring Day

2007-04-08T03:32:26Z

I recently read about a school which is was expecting a visit by the bunny formerly known as Easter. Now, Peter Rabbit is coming in his (his, right?) stead. Though, I have to ask what the Easter bunny is doing at a school anyway?
Well, he's visiting the craft fair you see!
Now, if P. R. is coming instead of E. B., won't that cause a little confusion? It's not like Peter is going to leave you any lovely eggs and jelly beans.
No.
He just steals your lettuce. And what kind of Spring Day mascot is that?
A bad one!
Think of the children!

Oh, and by the way, Easter is now "Spring Day", got it!?

The way I see it, Santa Clause has as much to do with "Religious Baby Birthday Holiday", and a leprechaun has just about equal share in a holiday honoring (with malt liquors!) an Irish Saint. These are simply supplementary mascots placed into these holidays.

Hey! It's okay to call the Easter bunny the Spring bunny or Peter Rabbit or whatever, so long as people remember what the true mascots of these holidays are!
Of course, I'm not saying Hanukkah ought to be the "Multi-Candle-Holder-Miracle Day" [or candelabra as the aforementioned article cites] nor should Thanksgiving be changed to "Pilgrims and Native Americans Get Along Day" just so the turkey doesn't get all the attention. No. But it doesn't hurt to remember that there are deeper meanings to these holidays. It's cool if you want a bunny for your religious events too. Let's be a melting pot... and have melted chocolate bunny on our kosher gefilte!
Seconds please!

Happy Spring Day!
--- WCB

My meteorology studies are coming along nicely. But that's beside the point!

2007-04-05T00:29:03Z

Strangest thing... Yesterday I saw a Chevy Avalanche type vehicle driving around, with Hummer H4 logos plastered on the quarter panels. So it looked something like... yeah, like that:

This vehicle, real or not, is still plausible. The parent company of Chevrolet and Hummer is GM, and they already decided to phase out the Trailblazer in the next few years for a yet smaller and more conversion-friendly Hummer. I just can't grasp why it would be cruising down along the streets of our little town...

Well, I've got a hankering for pad thai. It's the best!
I assume.
I never had it.
Yep.

Now what am I going to do about userpics...
--- WCB

Hey!

2007-04-04T04:15:08Z

I thought I was beginning to like Heroes more than NCIS.
I should mention, there's only two shows I watch religiously, and that's them.
But anyway... tonight's episode definitely has swung me back to being an NCIS fan.

Just one other thing to say on the matter: everyone's hair looked really weird... but in a good way.
New hairdresser on the set?
Wow, I think that made me sound geeky.
"I have to go blog now about the new and dif-fer-ent hairstyles on my favorite TV show! Snort!"

Here's to my hopeful reemergence to the LJ society.

---WCB

WD-40 Can fix anything.

2007-02-17T20:20:19Z

Well, my computer became out of commission shortly after the new year, and about since I got it fixed, my wireless internet hasn't been working.

Mostly I use the internet between classes, but I'm never really in a blog-updating mood, nor do I really have the time. It's been nice catching up on others' entries, though.
Well, since my phone service has gone and dropped me, I figured I ought to update my little corner of the web anyway. So I borrowed a little high-speed internet cord to tell you:

Nothing much is new.

Alright.
I'm out.

Festivus Update

2006-12-19T22:46:45Z

The party is still set for December 23. I might try to send out reminder emails. I've been a little disconnected from the internet recently.
If you would like to come, just a simple, "Yes, I'm coming," to: burges6@mbx.nmc.edu .(that's my email), would be appreciated.
It doesn't look like there will be a feast of strength, so I will serve the ham throughout the day instead.

Here's something I forgot to mention, if you are coming, please bring a gift. Regifted items are appreciated, and pocket change, and a half-eaten stick of gum are acceptable. Nothing expensive or important! We will try to pass these items around in a little gift-giving game of sorts.

Famous Festivus Quote of the Day~ "I've got a lot of problems with you people..." - Jerry Stiller

Ever been on a really long car ride and played the license plate game... I did once.

2006-12-13T20:27:58Z

The first time I ever saw a New Mexico license plate was two months ago.
I was starting to think no one lived there...

I'm out.

A Book Review: "1984".

2006-12-08T05:03:57Z

I read this book a while back. I wanted to give a little review on whether or not I liked this book.... before I forgot about it.

It seems to me, people that read 1984 and can no longer remember what it was about mere years after reading it. In this case I found it my duty to tell you about this book before it most assuredly evaporates from my memory (do memories do that... evaporate?).

Anyway, getting to my point; quick read, gripping plot, good message. Go read it.

After I would set this book down once reading a chapter or so, I would feel like I was in 1984 England, where this story takes place. I'd peek over my shoulder for Big Brother for at least an hour afterward.
Haha.

K, GON.

Actual responses from children about relationships. This would make a great chainmail...

2006-12-06T01:55:39Z

...Not that I condone chainmails. XD

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY?
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like
sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the
chips and dip coming. -- Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to
marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who
you're stuck with. -- Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by
then. -- Camille, age 10

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, to see if they are yelling at
the same kids. -- Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids. -- Lori, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know
each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough. --
Lynnette, age 8

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that gets them
interested enough to go for a second date. -- Martin, age 10

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the
newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
-- Craig, age 9 (Aw, man, give this kid a medal. I wish I thought of that!)

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich. -- Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess
with that. - - Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry
them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do. -- Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need
someone to clean up after them. -- Anita, age 9

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a
truck. -- Ricky, age 10

Thanks, aktaia !

The cutest wittle muscle car.

2006-12-05T04:37:03Z

Though though they aren't supposed to be cute.

Anyway, here is the Ford Cortina:

This is a roughly 1976 model. If you drove one of these in England in the seventies, you were the man.
Imagine Starsky and Hutch's cherry red Torino... replaced with this. Actually, then you have the BBC's Life on Mars.

10-4, over and out.

Festivus is coming!

2006-12-03T05:20:00Z

I may send out emails later.

EDIT: And, HOLY CRAP! Did I forget to mention the day of the party is DECEMBER 23!!!
Whoops.

I'm out.

The Compact Disc

2006-12-02T22:34:05Z

You know, you never hear someone say "CD-ROM" anymore. I liked CD-ROM. They're all "discs" now. So harsh. CD-ROM sounds like a favorite teddy bear. Disc is that scary looking doll your mother gave you, that she thought you liked, but it watches you sleep every night. You know the one. You put it in your closet... but it found its way out!
Seriously, what's wrong with your mom?

It's only been the span of about a decade since I've heard the CD popularly called a CD-ROM. I call to bring it back!

And just for fun let's call DVDs "Mini Laser-ROMS".

Chris' uplifting phrase of the day~ "You always have to remember your successes, because there will always be people who will remind you of your faults." -Bob Cohen

December 23

2006-12-01T01:39:29Z

My Festivus party is coming together well.
I should be drawing up invitations soon.
Well, you are invited you know. You just have to RSVP if you want to come to the Feast of Strength.

I love my obscure holiday.

CQOTD~ "You're like an X-man." - Crab Man from My Name is Earl.

Needs a title.

2006-11-30T04:37:48Z

iPods.
I've come to realize they aren't just a music device. They're a lifestyle.
Nothing made me realize this more than last week seeing an iPod... lamp.

!

I saw an iHome commercial. That just reinforced this little belief of mine.
Let's see. I'm am going to plan John Apple's (pseudonym of course) day around his iPod:

Wake up with iPod alarm clock.
Put iPod in water-proof shower radio.
Play iPod in iPod toaster at breakfast.
Place iPod in auto docking link on the way to work.
iPod goes in desk lamp.
Listen to iPod on your lunch break.
iPod goes back in desk lamp.
Drive home with iPod car dock.
Download iPod music with iPod giftcard!
Use iPod toothbrush.
Place iPod in iDog and watch it dance for a while (entertaining!).
Set iPod alarm clock.

80% of these products probably exist.

I'm out!

Note: The spell check shows that none of these iPod products are in the LJ dictionary, therefore i have 21 spelling errors (that last lowercase I was for the heck of it).

I'm laughing so hard I'm crying.

2006-11-28T20:04:25Z

This was brought to my attention by Alistar Burgess today.
Thanks.

You might start seeing me again soon. My computer isn't acting as bad as it was.

I'm out.

Eggs are good at least two weeks past their 'eggspiration' date. Seriously!

2006-11-19T01:40:30Z

I was introduced to this watch today:

It has a one and a half in wide LCD screen and has two gigabytes of mass storage, which can be used as a music playback system or for recording conversations as well.

I have two things to say about this watch:

1. In 2020 we will look back at this techno-marvel and laugh when it shows up at the Dollar Store much like what has happened to the digital watch of the eighties.
2. I WANT ONE! IS $1000 ENOUGH?

I'm out!

EDIT: I am also very serious about the eggs... think of the date on the side as a 'best by' date. Otherwise you can still try floating them in water. Sinks if it's good, floats if it's bad.