Here's a question that I've always been bothered by, but don't know the answer to:
Is it better to dine out or give to charity?
On the one hand, you're supporting a business that provides jobs to some people. If it's a local business, your money stays within the community. If it's part of a corporation, it might still stay within the community or it could go to building the CEO a new pool.
On the other hand, with a charity, you're helping people or programs that might not be getting aid otherwise. But, if it's a charity for people who wouldn't need charity if they had work, then that's a problem, too.
For now, I believe the sensible thing to do is to eat at the food bank.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Book Review: Mr. Mike: The Life and Work of Michael O’Donoghue, By Dennis Perrin
The Premise:
A biography of National
Lampoon and Saturday Night Live
writer and cast member, Michael O’Donoghue.
The Good:
Mr. Perrin clearly admires the work of Mr. O’Donoghue, but
also brings a critical eye to the man himself. The author sets out to tell the
definitive history of “Mr. Mike” and does so in a fairly detailed way. From
Michael’s childhood to his formative years to his successes and failures, the
book succeeds because the subject is fascinating to an absurd degree.
Ultimately the book works because it’s a tragic peek inside the mind of a
driven, uncompromising creative force.
The Bad:
There were times where I wondered if the book was all an
elaborate hoax. Granted, I didn’t get to experience the heights of the Lampoon or the start of Saturday Night Live, but I had never
heard of “Mr. Mike” and, as you read the book, you learn why.
I’m not saying that Michael O’Donoghue wasn’t an important
influence in comedy, but even the book has a hard time reconciling what his
legacy actually is or means. Was he a savior of dark comedy? Was he a man who
got in his own way? Was he both or none? I just wonder if his story was the
best story to tell.
The Verdict:
Buy it (if you can find a copy) if you are a lover of darker
comedy, the history of more modern comedy or the eccentric creative mind.
Labels:
book review,
Dennis Perrin,
Michael O'Donoghue,
Mr. Mike
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Othello
Free Shakespeare in the park? Yes, please. Overall, I enjoy the 2012 production and thought that everyone involved did a great job. If I have one criticism it's that a few of the actors ramped up to a high level of intensity too early and stayed there too long. There could have been more nuance in some sections. But, again, bravo! And check it out of you get the chance.
Run time: Just short of 3 hours with one 15 minute intermission
Run time: Just short of 3 hours with one 15 minute intermission
Labels:
2012,
Othello,
Shakespeare in the park,
STL
Friday, May 25, 2012
Piss & Vinegar
No, it’s not the title of the new buddy cop TV series I’m
working on. It’s what I was full of when I first became a copywriter.
It was my first career job and, man, I was going to show the
world. Everyone who ever doubted me, everyone who competed against me in
school, everyone was going to have to acknowledge my genius. Only one problem:
the Account Executive.
She was a nice enough woman, but, wow, was she conservative.
All she wanted was what the client wanted. And it was lame stuff. This was
going to be the account that I turned around and made into a clever,
award-winning account! All she had to do was take these awesome ads and SELL
THEM IN!
One day, things came to a head. I pushed back, she pushed
back harder and we both left feeling angry at one another.
Thankfully, another writer pulled me aside.
What the hell was
that? You know we’re all on the same side, right?
POW. I felt like I had been punched in the gut, then the
face, and a few more rounds in the gut. I truly thought that he was going to
take my side.
But he was absolutely right to berate me. To call me out on
my crap. He made me realize that my co-worker wasn’t my enemy. And, more surprisingly,
neither was my client.
My enemy was my ego. THE ENEMY WAS ME!!!
After that day, I have always tried to keep things in
perspective. Now, I don’t always do so—let’s not get crazy here—but at least I
TRY.
And, because you all probably want a happy ending or
something, I went and apologized to the Account Executive. Who then hit on me
and it was awkward*.
*Okay, maybe it didn’t exactly happen that way.
Labels:
advertising,
copywriter,
lessons,
piss and vinegar
Thursday, May 24, 2012
A Tale of Two Coaches
In fifth grade, I played soccer. I liked the game, but not
the coach. All he did was make us run—all the time. And if we weren’t running,
we were doing sit-ups.
Isn’t there supposed to
be a ball or something?
It’d be one thing if this had been a high school team or if
people were paying to watch us play, but we were in the FIFTH GRADE!
Pop quiz: What’s the easiest way to build resentment within
the team you’re coaching?
Answer: Favor your son over every other kid on the team!
Needless to say, when we won the un-coveted “Sportsmanship
Award” by season’s end, I gave a disapproving snort.
The next year, I started Tae
Kwon Do. And I couldn’t have been happier. Instead of running, we actually
got to kick things. Physical fitness was a part of everything we did, but the
truly undesirable stuff, like sit-ups and push-ups, were used as punishment.
That meant more time doing the thing I actually signed up for and less time
doing the stuff that I hadn’t. And, if the instructor did have a son in the
class, you were free to kick the crap out of him—no favorites.
The difference? I never played soccer as a kid or teenager
again. But I earned my black belt during high school.
Labels:
Coaching Advice,
Soccer,
Tae Kwon Do
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The Power of One
I recently hosted a sushi party where I taught some friends
how to make inside-out sushi rolls. Since I was recently in Japan, the natural
assumption was that I took a class while over there. Not true. I actually
learned from a woman I used to date, who wasn’t even Japanese.
Which got me to thinking: What else have I been exposed to
through dating that I wouldn’t have sought out on my own*?
·
Swing
Dancing. During the height of the lindy hop resurgence, a woman and I
signed up for a class that lasted longer than the relationship. While we now
dance to different tunes, I at least know a few extra moves for the dance
floor.
·
The Power of One, by Bryce Courtenay.
A woman I dated read this book religiously every year. It’s about the power one
person has to shape and influence another’s. Quite appropriate, don’t you
think?
·
Rock Climbing.
Taking a relationship to the next level can be frightening. Especially when you
can see where you’re going to land. Fortunately, this was one situation where
it didn’t hurt to be a bit … clingy**.
·
Vegetarianism.
I’ve dated several women who are vegetarians. While I still eat a fair amount
of meat, it has been beneficial to try new dishes and look at food from a new
perspective.
*Insert STD joke here: _____________________.
**You’re starting to piece together why I’m still single,
right?
Labels:
dating,
the power of one
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
“Congratulations, you’re on your own.”
Those were the first words my father said to me when I
graduated college.
He claims he never said them, but they’re not a combination
of words you quickly forget.
And before you go thinking That Dad Guy is a jerk, let me
tell you, it was the absolute best thing he could have said. Even better than
all of the words of advice and inspiration and storytelling delivered to the
graduating class from on high during the commencement address.
Because what he said was perfect because what he said was
right.
I was on my own. I just hadn’t realized it yet.
Like many college students, I still thought of my parent’s
home as my home. The place I would always return to over long breaks and short
holidays.
No longer.
Also, in a way, I still craved my parent’s approval and
sought their advice and turned to them in times of uncertainty.
No longer.
Of course, my father and my mother and my family would still
support me. And my friends, too. And, if it came to it, I could surely move
back home, if that’s what I decided.
But by telling me that I was on my own, he made me realize
that I was ready to be on my own.
And that’s a milestone truly worthy of congratulations.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Things my 9th Grade baseball coach taught me.
Looking back, my successes on the company softball diamond
can be traced back to one particular season of solid fundamental baseball in my
youth. What made this coach stand out from all the others?
The Paddle Drill.
It’s not what you think, so put down the phone to Child Services. This was a
fielding drill where, instead of a mitt, you used a Ping Pong paddle. By doing
so, you were motivated to trap the ball using two hands, instead of just
scooping it up with your mitt. The lesson: Two eyes and two hands at all times.
The Turn and Run.
Judging fly balls is tricky business. That’s why Coach took one thing out of
the equation at first: following the ball. When the ball was hit over your
head, you turned and ran as hard as you could. It was the responsibility of the
cut-off man to tell you when to turn around. The lesson: If it’s over your
head, all you can do is run all out.
The Bunting Drill.
Coach was a big proponent of video tape. One day he filmed us bunting. When it
was my turn, I squared up on the first pitch and watched the ball sail right
into my left knee. OW! I limped around and used the bat as a makeshift cane.
Did we skip my session when it came time to review the tape? NO! The whole team
howled with delight as we watched me limp over and over and over again. The
lesson: Get it right the first time. And lighten up. It’s just baseball.
Labels:
9th grade coach,
baseball fundamentals
Friday, May 18, 2012
Suffer for a Cause
A friend of a friend has a brilliant idea: Raise money for charity by actually suffering through something, instead of doing something enjoyable, like running a fun run.
He and a friend (who has Multiple Sclerosis) will be attending a show by the band Creed (a band they despise) without the aid of alcohol, 100% sober. Their goal is to raise $1,000 by May 26.
Labels:
creed4ms,
creedsober4ms,
suffer for a cause
Behold! More life!!!
If you'll recall, I started a garden. Well it's been a few weeks and nothing has died ... yet. The onions and arugala are coming in strong. The bell peppers and eggplants are the weakest members of the party. The tomatoes are limping by, but that's my fault: there are eight plants where there should only be, maybe, two. It's the clown car method of planting and I'm the driver. So far I've enjoyed a nice arugala and chive salad. High five, Mother Earth! We did it!
Labels:
fantasy gardening,
pizza plot,
update
Thursday, May 17, 2012
What it’s like to bike to work
Tomorrow, May 18th, is National Bike To Work Day. If you’re considering it, make sure your work has a shower. If not, be prepared to buy a lot of those scented tree air fresheners.
Biking to work can be a rewarding experience, provided you allow yourself enough time to enjoy it and anticipate any pitfalls along the way.
Before I put foot to pedal, I plan out my route online. I look for the most direct route, but one that minimizes the amount of time I’ll spend on major roads with rush hour traffic. I also benefit from a commute that puts the sun at my back going and leaving work. Why is that important? Because cars won’t be looking into the sun and will, therefore, be able to see me.
Once I have my route, I make sure I have all of the right equipment. Having a bike, helmet, innertube, lifts and a pump isn’t enough. You also want to have a bright fluorescent shirt and mounted (ideally blinking) lights in case you end up riding at night. The more visible you are to cars, the better.
Only after you have a route and the proper equipment can you begin your ride. If you’ve charted your route properly, you should have a decent estimate of the amount of miles you’ll have to cover. If you have a lot of flat surfaces, you can figure between 14-20 mph. If there a lot of hills, half it. So if your commute is a mixture of half hills (8 mph) and flat (17 mph), you should leave about an hour to complete the roughly 12.5 miles.
But wait, there’s more. The biggest advice I can give you is to use common sense. While I’m sure that you have every right to ride on the road right next to all of the cars and trucks, it’s not always your best move. When I see the lane I’m in become a turn lane, I will sometimes hit the sidewalk. Is it the legal thing to do? Probably not. Is it the smartest? Most definitely.
The last thing you want to do is provoke any sort of road rage. People in cars are frustrated enough by their commutes. They don’t need a cyclist clogging up a whole lane in the middle of rush hour as a temptation to hit the gas a little bit harder. Yes, sometimes it’s unavoidable, but other times, if you just wait for a wave of cars to pass, you’ll have an easier time of it.
Look easy to spot. Look around. And look out for danger. You might just make it safely into work after all.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Book Review: This is How. By Augusten Burroughs
The premise:
Mr. Augusten Burroughs, a man who seemingly has been through
quite a bit in his life, gives advice on everything from losing weight, to
giving up alcohol for good, to overcoming insurmountable grief.
The good:
Mr. Burroughs has a refreshingly direct, no-nonsense style.
He writes with confidence and candor about a variety of subjects, many of which
are uncomfortable. But you can also tell that a lot of heart, sincerity and
thought went into this book. While he may not be a licensed therapist, he does
seem sincere in his desire to help and inspire people to improve their lives,
even if his advice may seem counterintuitive at times.
The bad:
It’s hard to tell if the book is intended to be read cover
to cover or to be used as a resource to consult as specific needs arise.
Regardless, I felt the advice was contradictory in places and a few of the
stories came across as somewhat exploitative, even if they weren’t meant to be.
The verdict:
Buy it if you want a rather frank self-help book or a
thought-provoking, somewhat entertaining read. If you aren’t the self-help sort,
or are but aren’t ready for blunt advice, buy it anyway. Mr. Burroughs is prone
to sentimentality, but he also isn’t afraid to cut through the bullshit. If
nothing else, you will come away with an appreciation of one of his major
themes: living fully, truly and wholly in every moment, no matter how
overwhelming, boring or painful.
Labels:
Augusten Burroughs,
book review,
self-help,
This is How
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The Shallow End of the Pool
There isn’t a public pool in St. Louis City. Let me repeat
that: There isn’t a single public body of water, outside of the Mississippi
river, where a resident of St. Louis can swim*. Even worse, no resident of St.
Louis City can pay to go to any of the public pools in the surrounding
counties. Maplewood? Nope. Clayton? God forbid. Jefferson City? To be fair,
it’s a bit of a drive.
St. Louis City residents have to pay a 1% earnings tax. You
know what that supports? Forest Park. You know who gets to use the Zoo, the Art
Museum, the History Museum and a lot of the amenities for free? City residents
AND county residents.
You probably think I am about to suggest that the City
should start charging County residents a fee. Nonsense.
But I am proposing that the County get over itself; its
sewage facilities smell just like the City’s**. And there are too many
redundant utilities and commissions and services in this region as it is.
The City and the County both have something to offer each
other. It’s time to stop being petty and start getting sweaty … together.
Preferably poolside.
*I have seen people splashing around at the City Garden
fountains, but that’s not the same thing.
**I assume, having smelled neither.
Labels:
Forest Park,
opinion,
Public Pools,
st. louis,
St. Louis County
Monday, May 14, 2012
Hiking, here and there
When I lived in the Pacific Northwest, hiking was simply a
matter of picking a peak and climbing it. Mount Spokane? Let me grab my pack.
Mount Si? Race you to the top. Cougar Mountain? Rworr!
This type of hiking was gratifying because all of your
huffing and puffing up the side of the mountain was rewarded with a gorgeous vista
at the end (or, technically, the middle).
In the Midwest, this type of hiking is unavailable; there
are simply no significant elevation gains. Hiking, therefore, has to be about
something else. And, as clichéd as it might be, hiking in the Midwest is about
the journey and not the destination.
There are several advantages to this, actually. When you’re
not focused on the end destination and how incredible the view will be, you
learn to experience each individual moment more fully. This last weekend, I
hiked Buford Mountain (yep, part of the Ozark Trail) with some friends and we
saw four turtles, each at a different point along our hike. Had we not been
paying attention, we might have missed them. When each new bend holds the
promise of a new discovery, you’re more apt to keep your eyes moving, rather
than focusing on the next few yards in front of you.
So if you’re lucky enough to hike the mountains in the
Pacific Northwest, it’s fine to stay focused on the destination, but maybe keep
a look out for any turtles underneath your feet.
Labels:
destination,
hiking,
journey
Friday, May 11, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The sincerest form of flattery?
Apparently I have a distinctive "look". So much so that a friend of mine started a single-topic blog about ... me. Or rather, guys (or, I suppose, girls) who look like me--handsome devils that they are.
http://tadsome.blogspot.com/
http://tadsome.blogspot.com/
Labels:
tadsome
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Pay me to commute by bicycle?
I’ve been trying to ride my bicycle into work at least once a
week now that the weather is agreeable. My main goal is to get in shape for the
Kirkwood Triathlon, but it struck me on one of my rides that it could
also be a potential way to get some of that sweet, sweet carbon offset money.
And since I just read a book on carbon footprints, I thought I’d figure
out what my commute by bike might be worth.
Since this is America, I’ve provided the carbon footprint
equivalents in pounds versus grams or kilograms.
1.9 lbs/mile driving a standard sized car
9.8 lbs/mile driving a standard sized car in congested
traffic
But let’s assume a little of both, so I’m going to split the
difference:
5.85 lbs/mile driving a standard sized car on average
When it comes to cycling, the author provides a range of
different food (power) sources. I eat yogurt in the morning, so this was the
closest comparison.
0.2 lbs/mile riding a bike powered by cereals with milk
My commute is approximately 14 miles round trip. So when I
drive, my output is 81.9 lbs total (5.85 X 14). When I ride my bike, my output
is 2.8 lbs total (0.2 X 14).
A ton is 2000 lbs and the maximum equivalent price per ton
of carbon in the UK (the figure cited in the book) is $18.
So I will reach a total of one ton of carbon roughly every
24.5 times I commute by car (2000 ÷ 81.9). On the other hand, it takes me
approximately 714 trips to reach a ton of carbon by bike (2000 ÷
2.8).
That’s a ratio of roughly 29:1 (81.9:2.8). So commuting by bicycle
twenty nine times has the same carbon footprint equivalent as one trip by car.
Put another way, by riding my bike I use up only 2.8 lbs of
my normal 81.9 lbs, leaving a surplus of 79.1 lbs/commute. By dividing 2000 by
79.1, the total comes out to be about 25.5 times, which, as I’ve pointed out
above, is the approximate equivalent of 24.5 car trips, or one ton of carbon. So,
more accurately, 25.5 bike rides equal 24.5 car trips—basically, one bike ride
by me offsets one car trip by you (assuming an equidistant commute). And since
one ton of carbon is worth about $18, I figure if you want to ease your conscience,
you can pay me $17 in carbon offsets (to account for the difference in ratio) every
time I ride my bike and you decide to drive.
Please make checks out to That Tad Guy.
*It’s been awhile since I’ve used the old math muscles, so
my apologies if any of these numbers are off or inaccurate.
Labels:
bicycle,
bike,
carbon footprint equivalent,
carbon offsets,
cars,
commuting,
math
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
People I recommend
When it comes to home or auto repair, who are you going to trust? These fine folks, that's who. Tell 'em "That Tad Guy" sent you and you'll get a blank, probably confused stare. Might be good for a laugh, but not a discount.
Val’s Tree Service
314.353.3797
Unique Auto Works.net
Andy W. Eisele
314.352.8617
CJ Plumbing
Corey Jaggie
314.363.3177
Taylor Sewer Services—Ask for Bryon
644.0228
Bill Womack (Locksmith)
(314) 752-2033
Labels:
People I recommend
Friday, May 4, 2012
Hot Salsa
I don’t usually do local restaurant reviews as a courtesy to
my international readers (you’re welcome The
Netherlands), but in this instance I feel that everyone everywhere can
learn from what I am about to say. SAY NO TO HOT SALSA. Your first instinct is
to say, “That Tad Guy, stop being a sissy” or “What? Baby can’t stand a wittle
spicy food?” No, you fools*! I mean temperature hot, not spicy hot. A friend of
mine and I went to Fuzzy’s Tacos ($1 Taco Tuesdays, muy bueno) and I ordered
some chips and salsa. When the waiter guy asked me if I wanted warm salsa, I
automatically assumed he meant the chips—who has ever heard of warm salsa? But,
no, it was the salsa. Let me set the record straight: salsa should be cool like
walking barefoot after the rain. It shouldn’t be hot like a rash after you’ve
scratched it too many times.
That said, try the pulled pork and avoid the fish.
*Sorry, I don’t mean all of you, dear readers.
Labels:
food,
Fuzzy's Tacos,
hot salsa,
Reviews
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Caveat Emptor
Yes, that is, in fact, Latin for “Let the buyer beware”.
Nice job, readers. I mention this obscurely popular phrase because one of a
trend I’ve been seeing lately in stores and in the Sunday ads: the Non-Sale.
What is the “non-sale” and how do you say that in Latin? For the latter it’s Nullis Venditiones, of course. And for the former, it’s when a store places a sticker on
the shelf that looks an awful lot like a “sale” sticker, but is actually a
sticker that features the regular price, hence the “non-sale” designation. But
it’s not just in the stores either. People are so used to thinking that the
products featured in the Sunday paper are on sale that they believe all of the
items featured are on sale. Now, if you feel that the item is at a good and
fair price, then buy away. But I do find the practice to be dishonest. So the
next time you’re at the shelf and see a lot of things suddenly on sale, do what
I do and repeat after me: Caveat Emptor
Nullis Venditiones*.
*Okay, I don’t actually say all that in the
store. I do say E Pluribus Unum though.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Book Review: How Bad Are Bananas: The Carbon Footprint of Everything, By Mike Berners-Lee
The Premise:
Mr. Berners-Lee looks at the estimated carbon footprint of
practically everything, from sending a text-message to riding a bike to waging
a nuclear war.
The Good:
Mr. Berners-Lee is candid about his intentions and
methodology. This is not a definitive guide for exact measures, but an earnest
attempt to contribute rough estimates. It’s more of a ranking of this versus
that, so readers can start to begin to understand which of their decisions have
more of an impact on the environment and which have less. So given the choice
between giving a loved one a red rose or a red apple, the reader will have a
better understanding of which is more carbon efficient (albeit, not which is
more romantic). And, as a bonus, the author keeps things light with small doses
of humor and little to no preaching--he even acknowledges the skepticism people may have of Global Warming.
The Bad:
Because this book was written as more of a resource to be
picked up and flipped through, much like a dictionary, it is a bit redundant at
times. We are told that cows ruminate (i.e., give off methane as a result of chewing
grass and burping gas) in the sections involving milk, steak, cheese, sheep and
lamb production. It’s a small point, but one that gets old when reading straight
through.
The Verdict:
Worth a read. I hesitate to recommend an outright “buy”
because the science is continually evolving. If you want to support Mr.
Berners-Lee and his research, then buy. But regardless, if you are at all
curious about your impact on the world, it’s definitely an interesting read.
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