The Babbling Scribe

Puppets, a Cinematic Gateway Drug

2012-01-23T13:22:00.003-06:00

I love movies; I've reviewed them, scored them, attempted to write them, and after last weekend I can say I've directed them. As you may know I'm currently enrolled in Graduate school through University of Denver online. Last Sunday I worked six straight hours on homework and after I was done I felt restless, and football was not going to cut it. Marieta suggested we run some errands, but that sounded like it would make matters worse. So she asked me "What do you want to do?" Gazing off into the kitchen only one activity came to mind...

I wanted to make a movie.

After texting a few friends only my buddy Hogan was available. You think that would douse my filmmaking flame but Hogan is the perfect man to tag team a film with. I grabbed my gear, drove out to his place and drove off without a single plan except for the fact we were going to work with puppets.

Now when you hear puppet movie your first inclination is to think this thing is gonna suck- DON'T! With Hogan's long running obsession with collecting zany things, my camera skill and our joint creativity we made... a MASTERPIECE! Yes I am being a little over-the-top but it is far better than you expect. What's it about? Three puppets and a gambling debt. Think Pope of Greenwich Village but puppets and only 6 minutes long.

Shot with the same speed and zeal as a Robert Rodriguez's "guerilla filmmaking" but with puppets that have the polar opposite temperment of Jason Segel's muppets. There isn't a trailer, no big release, just six minutes of puppet "art." When can you take in this puppy? Sit tight kids, there is still some scoring and sound design to be completed. Mark your calendars! "Master of Puppets" February 2 - Youtube - 7 PM,

Old Friends

2011-11-28T10:06:00.001-06:00

Since dropping DirecTv and going with the bunny ears our TV habits have changed considerably. A month ago when we were cooking we'd have an old episode of the The Office, Friends or How I Met Your Mother rolling in the background just for noise. Well since we don't have a Tivo stocked full of shows we now listen to the radio or nothing at all while in the kitchen. I can feel my brain detoxing.

About the only time we passively turn on the tube is just to mellow out is while we're getting ready for bed, and what is the only show we have as a complete series on DVD? Friends. This group of New Yorkers and I have a love-hate relationship. I used to loathe it's cartoon, girly relationship set-up, but then after Marieta and I got together and I watched it merely by being around her. Quickly I realized Chandler is hilarious and overtime I warmed up to the rest as well. Still, after years of watching it, and getting tired of the same stupid yucks-yucks, I started to hate it again. Today... it's coming back around.

No matter the show, I still think the only way to watch a program, is chronologically. I will drop shows that I really enjoy just because I fall behind two or three episodes; Rescue Me, Fringe, Heroes (no big loss there), etc. Now that we're watching Friends in order again, I'm re-realizing why it was such a hit and not completely sophomoric.

Over the weekend I got to thinking about spin-offs, return specials and how the Friends audience would love to see the crew back on TV at least one more time. Maybe it will happen down the road but I think what would a completely game-changer of an idea would be a complete new series; Old Friends.

Here's how it works;

In 2024 Friends will have been off the air for 20 years. The gang's kids will all have grown up and be in college, so the story is back to the six main characters.
When the show ended everybody was in their mid-30s, so 20 years later the cast will all be in its mid-50s.
Now most sitcoms are focused on younger characters because advertisers are looking for the "Key demographic" of 18-49 year-olds. Old Friends would obviously be geared to 40 and 50 year olds but this is a built in audience. The first season alone could possibly bring in NFL sized ratings.
That audience will once again identify with the Old Friends situation. Kid issues, retirement concerns, medical issues...

Of course these actors may not want to return but we're not talking 2011, 13 years away! Do you think Jennifer Anniston will still be a hot rom-com commodity when she's 55? Absolutely not, in fact, she probably won't have much of a career, and considering the other five barely have careers now... I would say a return to making big TV money on a surefire show would be quite enticing.

Finally what makes this work is the show dynamic. Friends was about realistic people in their 20s and 30s dealing with issues everyone experiences, albeit in comedic settings. Seinfeld could come back but Jerry single in his 60s... how long would that keep an audience? Home Improvement returning, crash and burn. Frazer? Everybody Loves Raymond? God no. Friends had a cast people could identify with, and while Joey and Phoebe may have been the comic relief, the levity they provided never steered the show into parody.

I'm not a hardcore Friends fan holding out hope to see the crew poke around the Village one more time, but I do think Friends is the only show that could honestly pull off this concept. Every time I see a new Matthew Perry show start up I have high hopes, but in the end I would much rather have him cracking wise as Chandler Bing for another 10 years.

Once Upon a Stage

2011-10-27T13:06:00.000-05:00

There used to be a time in my life where all I wanted to do was write and perform music, those days seem so foreign to me now but it used to define me. At the height of my rock journey I was performing in three different bands, spending every free moment listening to music, and every occupied moment day dreaming of rock superstardom.

While those dreams are gone, and not greatly missed, I do miss being on stage and rocking out with good buds. As a fun way to re-live and remember the rush of rocking out I put together the above video "For the Record: A History of Eight Miles Out."

Today my musical endeavors are quite different; I write kids songs for a small childrens program , I score documentaries, and write upbeat tunes for the travel show I produce. So while I may be out of the race, I haven't completely given up the game.

Google Music and my Musical Renaissance

2011-10-07T10:06:00.000-05:00

I am a huge Google fanboy. I use Youtube, Google Reader, Picasa, Maps, Analytics, Gmail, Calendar, Tasks, Bookmarks, Documents, Buzz, G+, and I have an Android phone. All that and most recently I started using Google Music - and like the rest of their products - gMusic just owns.

Back in College I lived and breathed music. That's me dancing on stage at a Dismemberment Plan show right before they broke up. I went to more concerts, bought more cds and messed around with the "scene" more than any one person should. I was obsessed with finding cool new tunes and I didn't care what genre they fit into as long as they were awesome.

To say those days have passed is an under statement. I haven't bought tickets to a concert in probably 5 years, I spend close to no time searching out new music, and me and the scene? Ha!

Well there is no way Google Music can restore all of that but damn if it hasn't brought back my love for little known (at least to me) musical gems.

Thanks to the 3 or 4 daily servings of free music from Magnifier, Google's official music blog, I am rolling in awesome new music. I highly recommend you check gMusic out. It's still in beta so you need an invite, but as Travis Morrison and the Dismemberment Plan told me back in Freshman year don't worry because "YOU ARE INVITED! By ANYONE to do ANYTHING!" Well... not anything, but I do have a few invitations left to let some people check out the glory of this feel web service.

Want to know what you're missing out on? Here's a couple awesome tunes I discovered.

Nick Waterhouse - "I Can Only Give You Everything"

The Greyboy Allstars - "What Happened to TV?"

The New Mastersounds - "Can You Get it"

Rewatching The Dark Knight

2011-08-27T19:08:00.001-05:00

So I'm rewatching everyone's favorite Batman film "the Dark Knight." It's always been hard for me to enjoy this film because I have a hard time letting go of the logical and practical when it comes to films that want us to take them seriously. The Dark Knight is neither logical or practical. It is cool but in no way could any of this crap have happened as the Joker planned. I could go over it or I could let another lover of all things logical tell you. Here is Gregg Easterbrook's one paragraph review written back in 2009:

"During training camp, Jon Gruden canceled an August afternoon practice so the team could go see "The Dark Knight." That harks back to Gruden's youthful days -- let's blow off practice and go see a movie! The latest Batman installment is a hit, and well-made from a cinematography standpoint, but the Joker character was unrealism carried to an extreme, even by Hollywood's low standards. The Joker has hundreds of obedient, superefficient henchmen, including surgeons and high-ranking police officers, who serve him without question -- even though they know he murders his own henchmen. The Joker knows things no one could possibly know, such as what street the police van carrying Harvey Dent will turn down during a wild chase. (He has henchmen positioned on that street, one of dozens the van might have turned down). The Joker can get poison into the police commissioner's private office without anyone suspecting anything. City officials make a sudden decision to load several hundred people into ferries; in just a few hours, Joker is able to place thousands of pounds of explosives aboard the ferries without anyone noticing, plus rig devices to take over the ferries' engines. Joker is able to move thousands of pounds of explosives into Gotham General Hospital without anyone noticing. Positioning the explosives for the two giant-blast sequences in "The Dark Knight" would have required large trucks and a front-loader carrying multiple heavy objects through places crawling with police officers without anyone noticing. Joker always knows exactly where everyone he wants to kill is in a huge city (how?); he's beaten to a pulp by Batman, yet just minutes later, easily overpowers a huge policeman; Joker steals from the mob, yet no mob soldier simply shoots him. Joker has a bomb sneaked into the jail where he's being held -- somehow he knew in advance what cell he would be in! -- and it blasts open the jail wall, plus kills all the police officers standing around the Joker, but does not hurt him."

Oh yeah and the Joker should have died about 5 different times in this film. Ridonk. My Bat-favorite will always be Tim Burton's Batman. It was both serious and ridiculous, so even when it was illogical, you could say well at least it is fun.

Eddie Morra is an Idiot

2011-08-06T20:34:00.000-05:00

For being the smartest man alive Eddie Morra is an idiot, or at least the people who wrote him are. If you haven't seen this film here's the quick and dirty; loser Eddie Morra is given a drug that gives him super smarts and he uses it to help some random company make millions, along the way some bad stuff happens. The problem with all that bad stuff is none of it needed to happen and I'm pretty sure a man with the IQ of Eddie Murra wouldn't have allowed any of it to occur or even take a path that presents them as possible.

See the hook point in the movie is Eddie's first use of super drug NZT, he cleans his apartment, writes the first part of his novel and it wears off. So of course he's instantly hooked, and like all drug addicts, he goes to get more. As soon as he takes his next pill he should realize, "Damn, I have a supply issue here. I need to figure out how to either develop this myself or find out who makes it and get more." He doesn't do that, instead he goes on a crazy stupid journey, i.e. the movie.

There were logical missteps throughout the film but none of those matter because when you get super crazy smart you shouldn't have to worry about them. Here's what he should have thought about:

He's taking a drug that unlocks his entire brain.
His brain has this potential without taking the drug.
He should figure out how to permanently unlock his brain so doesn't need the drug.
He shouldn't go hit the stock market and help some evil tycoon make more millions for himself.

See Mr. Murra has the potential to brew this drug himself because he has total memory recall and super quick learning abilities. He should hit a pharmaceutical library, read every book in a day, and break into a drug lab. I'm sure he could design a single use drug and HOORAY! He has a super brain, no medication necessary. Now that he has his brain unlocked, he can go make millions, stay away from evil tycoons, and his life will be an nonstop adventure.

So while Limitless was fun, I hated Eddie "Four Digit IQ" Murra because his decision making doesn't reflect his super brain, it reflects a moron.

Troop 78's Philmont Adventure

2011-04-21T13:31:00.000-05:00

Almost 13 years ago I went to Philmont Scout Ranch with a group of my friends. My Dad and I brought along a video camera. We shot close to 4 hours of footage... and a lot of it was unwatchable. After a few years of letting those tapes collect dust I finally decided to edit it down so I could give my friends the video we shot instead of 4 hours of rambling video. So two years ago I chopped it up, got it all complete and did nothing with it. I wanted to screen it with all the guys collected. Sadly there wasn't a time that worked for everybody that summer and I put the project on hold.

Well I'm tired of waiting for the right moment. I've posted the entire thing on youtube. 98 minutes. I loved that adventure and hope to go back some day if one of my children get the outdoors bug. If you want to grab a bag of popcorn and watch... here you go!

If you would like a DVD copy of our Philmont adventure or if you have any comments, you know where to reach me.

You Should See "To Catch a Dollar"

2011-03-31T22:40:00.000-05:00

Before you read this post, watch this documentary trailer.

I see a lot of films. Most I see in my personal time are good, the films I see for work can be a coin flip, and sometimes I see a film that is straight up inspiring; such is the case with To Catch a Dollar.

To Catch a Dollar details the work of Grameen Bank, a non-profit microloan institution that started in Bangladesh 34 years ago and recently has founds it way to the states. It's an amazing idea. Something my Dad turned me onto this past Thanksgiving with Kiva.org, another microloan operation that utilizes the generosity of websurfers to fund loans.

This is Hannah Wairimu Waruir, a Kenyan woman I recently helped buy a dairy cow, chaff cutter and animal feed through a Kiva loan:

Kiva ask lenders for $25 loans to help borrowers reach their loan goal; Hannah's was $925. Eventually I'll get my 25 bucks back, I can cash out, or re-lend. Lenders can make as many $25 loans as they want. I think it's exciting to think for the cost of a night out for two you can help someone in a third world, or America, better their situation.

You really need to check out Kiva

If you watched the trailer you don't need me to explain how it works, but one thing the trailer doesn't tell you is that it does works and it not only helps those who can't get their hands on funds to fuel their super low scale enterprises, but it opens your eyes to the world of small and local business. Living in San Francisco, I can't tell you how many little whole-in-the-wall shirt shops, hat shops, random restaurants... those are all local businesses. Those people most likely work 10-12 hours a day and that shop is their livelihood. After seeing To Catch a Dollar I really feel the need to support only local businesses, people in my community who need our neighbors support.

One thing I often think about is how we are the first generation that really nearly full of people who won't have claw their way through life to provide for their family. We can afford to spend money on frivolous things and random entertainment items. Our parents and our grandparents come from a time when people worked and most come from a community of people who worked together to build something. They believed in something. Over the last few years it's been really importnat to me to believe in something, stand for something, and spend my time and money on something concrete. To me this film could do that for others, provide that nudge that says "Hey, I may not be rich, but I have means and the time to stop and think about how I can better the world around me."

A Message from your friendly neighborhood Web Czar

2011-03-16T11:46:00.002-05:00

Web Czar. Doesn't that just sound awesome? I like it more than Webmaster because its silly, unique, and I most definitely not a master of anything. I am however responsible for the redesign of CRI's website. When I started at CRI I said I would rework the CRI website to have more content and be more interactive. The original website was just a video player and two links... It was sad. Well my first redesign certainly had more content but not truly interactive. Well CRIWMPENNU.org v3.0 (now thankfully shrunked down to CRItv.org) is a great step into the interactive world. There's commenting, rating, searching, blogs, polls, RSS feeds, the feasibility to update on a daily basis. I really dig it. I have only tackled the CRI Weekly News portion of the website but soon enough I will be giving the same work over on One Day Getaway, the Kids Show, Oskaloosa Sports Pulse, and Oskaloosa Today. All in good time buddies, all in good time.

Image is Everything

2011-01-18T13:14:00.000-06:00

This year I have picked up a new responsibility at work; Co-Producing the CRI travel show "One Day Getaway" with the show's host A.J. Hodgeman (of PB & AJ fame). I'm pretty excited. Last June, I started Co-Producing on a interim basis while the show's former producer, Jacob Rosdail, was working on a documentary project that will air next month on Iowa Public Television.

In the 7 month window where I was filling in we went to Principal Park, Dubuque, Adventureland, Winterset, and filmed a special Halloween episode. This year we've already got a Marshalltown episode in the bag and over the weekend we ran up to Cedar Falls to film. I'm pretty excited for all of our plans.

For the show I've written a ton of original tunes, come up with some silly bits, and most recently re-did all of the graphics for the show. There's a new intro & outro, lower third identifier graphics, and transitions. Check em out:

We also have a plan to start putting "commercial" breaks in the show, so with that in mind, I built this graphic.

Design show graphics was never something I was truly interested in doing before working at the CRI, but now I love the opportunity to come up with new stuff. For instance, at the end of every year the CRI Film Critics get their own show to sum up the year in film, give their opinion on the best films, and replay a handful of reviews. Well, I took that as another opportunity to build a bunch of graphics and I think the end results was really sharp. Take a look (the first 8 seconds of this clip are CRI Weekly News graphics which I didn't build)

So I'm pretty excited. It's fun to have a new creative outlet to dance around. I shoot news stories, write and report, design and manage the website, write music for various programs, and now build graphics. How diverse and awesome is that? I just keep telling myself to soak it up now because I will probably never have another job where I get to do all of these things at the same time.

2010: A lot, yet a little

2011-01-09T13:50:00.009-06:00

Goodbye Duckies, t'was a fun holiday season. The presents, the yums, the family... I love the holiday season. Maybe my favorite part of the year ending is year in review shows. We did one at work for news stories and one for our movie reviews; the 2010 CRI Film Review Extravaganza. I'm pretty proud of the Extravaganza, I made all the graphics and wrote a good portion of the script. The sad part about it is we only review movies that come to Oskaloosa's Penn Centre Theater.

So considering I can't review everything for CRI, I decided to take to the Blogosphere with my favorites of the year. So without further adieu...

P@'s Top 10 Films of 2010 (that I've seen)

#1 - Black Swan

Such a head trip. Loved the acting, the cinematography, the twists... Darren Aronofsky returned to what I deem his "General Sherman" style of direction (in the civil war Sherman pretty much won the war by destroying every little thing in his path on his "march to the sea"). Aronofsky takes all their senses by storm and it works on every level. No film drowned me in thought about its content more than Black Swan. Loved it.

#2 - The American

George Clooney's slowburn assassin flick is absolutely beautiful. I don't know how I've missed out on Director Anton Corbijn's work. His last film Control completely flew under my radar and turns out people are in love with it. Been meaning to see it for about 3 years. This film kind of embodies Clooney's style. Cool, mysterious, and oozing oldschool hollywood charm.

A funny little sidenote: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon seem to be pretty good friends. Oceans 13 they just seemed to be 3 good buds having a great time together on camera. All 3 of them have made Spy/stealth killer films; Pitt - Spy Games, Mr. & Mrs. Smith; Damon - The Bourne Trilogy, and now Clooney with The American. Each of those films seem to be their main actors style, not sure which one I enjoy the most... but all those films fill a need in my cinema jigsaw puzzle.

#3 - Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

This could have been my favorite of the year. Saw this on opening night and was geeked beyond belief after it ended. Fits perfectly into Director Edgar Wright's filmography. Problem is its re-watch power isn't the same Hot Fuzz; you find something new in Hot Fuzz with each watch... Scott Pilgrim for some reason doesn't get there. I think its cause Hot Fuzz goes meta from start to finish where as Pilgrim is kind of a surface level romp of fun.

#4 - 127 Hours

James Franco gives the best performance of the year in my opinion which must have been some damn hard work because he has roughly an hour and half of alone screen time to keep you engaged. Danny Boyles direction makes what could have been a mind melting scarefest into a frantic-fun film. Only problem, I'm not sure if that's the approach this source material deserves. Think I might have enjoyed the film more if more of the screen time was spent surviving the situation.

#5 - Inception

Hype built this thing to be Metropolis or Citizen Kane for the new millenium, something that people will point to for generations as a legend on the mount olympus of filmmaking, well... it's really good... but its not the best thing I've ever seen. I've argued whats wrong with this film too many times. With all of its flaws I still think its a magnificent film. Top 5 is pretty good, can't wait to see Nolan's next.

One-liners for the rest.

#6 - The Other Guys

Ferrell is finally funny again, Wahlberg finally shows me he is worth paying for, and damn this thing is funny.

#7 - Catfish

What a ride, so many things to take from this "documentary" but if you want to know, you gotta see it.

#8 - Toy Story 3

Great conclusion for these guys, it did make me cry, but it is not my favorite Pixar film.

#9 - Get Low

Really good, great cinemtography, Murray is better than Steve Zissou, but not quite Rushmore.

#10 - Machete

Bad ass and hilarious.

On the whole I found the films this year disappointing. Only Black Swan and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World lived up to my expectations and the American kind of snuck up out of nowhere on me. You might have noticed some films were completely off my list... well check out all the films I've missed.

Babies

Biutiful

Blue Valentine

Buried

Casino Jack

The Company Men

The Crazies

Despicable Me

Devil

Dinner for Schmucks

Due Date

Enter the Void

Exit Thru the Gift Shop

Fair Game

Four Lions

Freakonomics

The Ghost Writer

The Girl (swedish trilogy)

Greenberg

Gulliver's Travel

Hereafter

Howl

I Love You, Phillip Morris

The Illusionist ( L'illusionniste)

Inside Job

The King's Speech

The Kid's Are All Right

Knight & Day

Let Me In

Micmacs

Never Let Me Go

Nowhere Boy

Please Give

Red

Restrepo

The Social Network

Somewhere

Splice

The Tillman Story

The Tourist

The Town

Tucker and Dale vs Evil

Unstoppable

Valhalla Rising

Winnebago Man

Winters Bone

Zonad From Space

So many, and a lot of good ones. Luckily the Social Network is coming out on DVD this week and I Love You Phillip Morris in town. Hopefully I can see all the "good" ones before the oscars. In case you wanna know, here's how I ranked the other films I saw this year.

#11 - Kick-Ass

#12 - Tangled

#13 - Legends ofthe Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

#14 - The Fighter

#15 - Megamind

#16 - How To Train Your Dragon

#17 - Book of Eli

#18 - Tron: Legacy

#19 - The A Team

#20 - The Last Exorcism

#21 - Iron Man 2

#22 - Shutter Island

#23 - Shrek Forever After

#24 - Sorcerer's Apprentice

#25 - Clash of the Titans

#26 - Expendables

#27 - Secratariat

#28 - Easy A

#29 - The Last Airbender

#30 - Cop Out

#31 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid

#32 - Grown Ups

#33 - Cats & Dogs 2

#34 - Vampires Suck

If you ever have an opportunity to get a job that pays you to see films TAKE IT! There were truly only 2 films that made me want to burn the theater down. Check ya later, peace!

The Wonderful World of Animation

2010-11-30T11:01:00.004-06:00

This January begins Season 2 of the CRI Kids' Show. I've done some really fun stuff this past year PB & AJ of course, Big Stuff, Rewind, Various Graphics & Kids' Show Shorts, and in season 2 I have a new contribution to the show that I'm getting really excited for. Check out the treatment for P.J. Pickle-Pants

PJ Pickle-Pants

Runtime: 90-120 seconds

PJ Pickle-Pants is a 13 year old boy who is a free-spirited, day-dreamer who puts off things like homework and chores. His best friends Harry Lettuce-Head & Bailey Banana-Belly always call and come over to play but PJ’s Dad, Peter Pickle-Pants wont let them play till PJ does his work. To inspire them Peter uses imaginative examples of why their work is important. The kids learn why they need to do certain things and have fun doing it.

Characters

PJ Pickle-Pants - - - - - - - - - - - Main Character
Peter Pickle-Pants - - - - - - - - - PJ’s Dad
Harry Lettuce-Head - - - - - - - - - - PJ’s Best Friend
Bailey Banana-Belly - - - - - - - - PJ’s other friend

Ideas for Episodes (nothing that is just fun)
01) Math Homework
Important Because: counting money, telling time, building things from houses to fences, doing taxes, figuring out distances, computers, etc

02) Cleaning your room (not cleaning is fun)
I.B.: Being organized allows you to find things easy, germs don’t collect, people will think you’re messy, you might break something, builds good habits to keep things neat

03) Taking Out The Trash
I.B.: Collecting trash stinks, spreads germs, can build mold which destroys things, trash can make you sick, keeps things neat

04) Science Homework
I.B.: A lot of jobs are built off of sciences; computer work, manufacturing, doctors, etc, Knowing how things work or live gives you an understanding of your surroundings, Let’s you appreciate the abundance of nature, there are some really cool things in the science world

05) Doing the dishes
I.B.: Clean dishes are important just like taking out trash, Show appreciation for the person who made the meal, sharing responsibility with others, allows you to have clean dishes for the next meal.

06) Cleaning up the yard
I.B.: Respectful of neighbors and people in the area, unkept lawns are ugly, tall grass and leaves can hide things like toys, tools, bikes, maybe broken glass and those things can be dangerous, sometimes it is the law

07) Geography/History homework
I.B.: Let’s you know there are other places in the world, Learn how people live differently than you, Get some perspective on different lifestyles, understand how things got to where they are today, respect other cultures, history lessons teach us mistakes others have made so we can learn a lesson.

08) Washing Dad’s car?
I.B.: Keeping nice things nice, teaches respect for your parents, respect for autos when PJ is old enough to drive

09) Feed/Wash/Walk the dog
I.B.: Responsibility of taking care of another living thing, if you want a pet you have to take care of it, gives you perspective on everything your parents do for you, because you love your pet

10) Apologizing for being rude (yelling at an adult or pushing a kid)
I.B.: It’s not okay to disobey those in charge, voicing your upset is okay but doing it the right way, apologizing lets people know you’re a good person who can admit you know you’ve done something wrong, Making friends is being than avoiding someone or holding a grudge

11)Folding and Putting Away Laundry
I.B.: Unfolded clothes get super wrinkly, wrinkled clothes make you look like a slob, Having things organized allows you to know where they are when you want them, taking part in laundry helps lighten the load for everyone.

__________________________________________________

In case you're wondering PJ is loosely based off of me; I was a terrible student and a chore procrastinator. No one had to break my arm to make me do chores but I did put them off. I think PJ and friends could be a fun and educational way to entertain kids. I promised six episodes but if I have enough good content I will definitely do more. Looks like I got 11 ideas rolling right there. Of course, I'm always looking for ideas so... leave me a comment, let's see what we can come up!

The House

2010-11-08T10:20:00.002-06:00

Marieta and I have been homeowners for a year and two days. That's pretty wild. And now that I just typed that I realize we have been living in Iowa for a year and a half. Time flies doesn't it?

Owning a house is a true sign of "growing up." In the last year we've run a rather successful garden, bought some minor pieces of furniture, a lawn mower, organized our garage, had several people over for dinner and get togethers, and just this weekend hung up window treatments (Have I been watching too much HGTV or what?). Maybe going domesticated is lame in some respects but I love having a whole house to lay around in, jam in my basement, store all sorts of stuff, organize my movies and comic books. So awesome. I have a freaking man cave. That's cool. I gotta decorate that thing sometime. Paint, posters, Maybe frame some of my favorite comics and CD art to show off my style... Who knows.

Some Reviews Are Better Than The Film

2010-09-16T10:41:00.004-05:00

A blog I'm a huge fan of, Film School Rejects, has this regular feature called Coroner's Report where they review horror films. I normally pass it by because they are movies I've never heard of and I don't watch a lot of horror; However, the poster for the film they reviewed this week, Growth, was enticing enough to read through a little of the review. Halfway through I found this gem:

"The sexiest part of the movie is probably her joke about “tickling [her] accordion,” which is decidedly less sexy when we find out she actually has an accordion."

Hilarious. If you care to read the whole review based of this blurb, here's the link. Peace

direcTV (or how I learned to stop complaining and give in to the fact the install guy is 3 hours late)

2010-08-23T08:47:00.002-05:00

Here's my Saturday; wake up at 9, go to the farmers market at 10, get home around 1130, and sit around until 7pm waiting for DirecTV to show up to install my satellite. So much for a 12p-4p install window with a call coming within the first half hour of my wait. No No No, I had to call the 800 # around 5p asking where in the heck our dude was. Turns out they screwed up and nobody got the message. In the middle of that call they send out a "seek and install" signal to any install guy available and I get a call. Dude says he'll be there between 530 & 6p. Not so much, 7p rolls around finally someone comes a knockin' at my chamber door.

I am like everyone else. Over the course of several wasted hours waiting for something to happen that never does I get angry and bitter. But unlock like everyone else this raging pit bull turns into a cute little puppy the moment he sees the object of his affection. I seriously was sitting there re-reading Hitchhikers Guide, heard the truck pull in the driveway and instantly started arming my mouth with every possible argument I could have for why this guys life needs to be erradicated to make my day of house arrest have any value, but the second my hand touched the front to greet my arch-rival... a bolt of understanding-lightning hit me. It isn't this dudes fault, is it so bad to chill out watching the Cubs & reading a book in my own house on a super hot Saturday? No and this guy is just doing his job, he is the system that allows this type of thing to repeatedly happen.

So I let him, showed him around, set him with several glasses of water (it was damn humid outside), he did his thing, ran us quickly though the setup, and left around 930p. What a waste of a Saturday... kind of...

Beyond that, DirecTV rocks. For someone who loves movies, I am Tivo-ing everything and anything that looks like it might hold my interest. For instance yesterday I watched Whip It! Decent story, makes roller derby look cool, I love Kristen Wiig, but the film is so freaking long and had no discernable directoral style. They could have cut 20 minutes, maybe 30 minutes, and not only would the plot have been much tighter and more interesting but the film would have been funnier. In the end it felt like a movie with themes that have been retread far too often and the major story of a girl becoming an individual outside of her parents and boys is bogged down in a slow pace and too much doublebacking in the main characters plight.

Up Next: Religulous I think this DirecTV thing is gonna be nice.

Waiting for Auroras

2010-08-03T23:23:00.003-05:00

So the buzz across the super highway today was there are supposed to be awesome auroras around midnight tonight... I'm pretty stoked to check em. Only thing is I have to kill some time until midnight so... What's Up? heh...

All kidding aside, how's it goin? Been a while huh? What have I been up to? Well... I went on half of RAGBRAI last week. That was pretty cool. Invited my dad and Jordan along. It was a load of fun. I can't wait to do it next year. Hopefully it will swing through some places I have never been before (like this year.) Of course I took some pics and videos but I'm going to wait to unleash that until I get it my Dad's pics. He stopped all over the place for pics. Mine were mostly taken from my bike while cruising along. Can't wait to see my pics? O-kee, here are a

couple to tide you over.

Here we are (or more appropriately Jordan and my dad) riding into Clarksville on our first day of the ride. Pretty cool little town about 20 some miles into our 82 mile Thursday... yeesh.

Just a happy shot of me riding along on Thursday with Jordan and Dad over my shoulder.

One big RAGBRAI thing is all of the venders along the road that bikers fall in love with. One place that Jordan hit up on the last day of the ride was Peanut Butter Jam. Here he's losing it over "The King" of PBJs; PB, Jelly, Banana, Fluff, and Honey. Just like Elvis.

Can't wait to show you guys the rest. I'm gonna go chill before the sky explodes. Night, night.

My Movie Weekend

2010-07-05T21:58:00.003-05:00

Now before anyone thinks I am super lazy please know that I ran in an organized 5k race on Saturday morning, spent an hour at the DSM Farmers' Market, biked 22 miles, and hung out with a lot of people this weekend. Also, if Marieta didn't have to spend all of her free time on her Master's classes I would probably have only seen one or two of these films but since she is tied to a desk studying... I have a lot free time. So here is how useless I was this weekend.

Friday

1. The Spirit - Scarlot Johannson is the worst actress of all time and her looks are HIGHLY overrated. The film was baaaaaaaad, but fun in its badness. Not so bad it was unwatchable.

Saturday

2. The Last Airbender - M. Night is done for. Everything he left his mark on in this thing (the acting, the plot, the voiceover) was absolutely terrible. That being said I hope they make the sequels because I dig the mythology and I have never watched/read anything Airbender related. Ditch almost all of the actors and keep the story going and I'm in.

3. Slammin Salmon - The most recent Broken Lizard film and I think their best effort since Super Troopers. I doubt they can ever top that. They appear to be following the path of the Out-Of-Nowhere rock superstars. Their first album was their opus, the follow up trash, their 3rd had something but ultimately fell short, and by the fourth you're okay with the product but you can't give them any credit because they've served you so much trash you can't be sure what you're seeing is good or just serviceable. A lot of good gags in Salmon. Rent it.

4. Black Dynamite - Hilarious. I can't comment on this film in the way I want to because it might upset my mother.

Sunday

5. Funny People - Way too freaking long. I am not a Judd Apatow guy and this movie pretty much played to all the things I don't care for from his films; holding every scene too long, having too many characters, and just an hour of unneeded content in each film. That hour being the last here. Oh God, kill me if I ever say I want to watch this again. I laughed, but I also almost feel asleep.

6. Zombieland - Seen it before and still love it. Can't wait for the sequel.

7. 1/3 of Spiderman 3 (on mute) - So I was at a July 4th party and this was on in the background. Didn't really watch it but what I saw... looked a little overcooked and I will keep this on the back-back-back burner for another year or so before I watch it.

8. Death Race - It was 1030, I had just watched some fireworks and I wanted something that required zero brain power. This fit the bill and had some cool car crashes. Wont buy it, wont rent it, but would say check it out. Jason Staham plays the same character he always does; the double crossed bad ass.

Monday

9. Happy Gilmore - I still love this movie and I still associate it with my friend Elliot giggling like a little girl from start to finish upon first viewing.

10. What's Eating Gilbert Grape - Liked this film... but it was too long and by the end I just wanted something bad to happen to Johnny Depp. Such a boring character. He was the definition of a wet blanket. Blah. Everyone else in the film was awesome and made it what it is; Solid.

So yeah I watch 9 and 1/3s movies this weekend... Yes I am proud of that. I will say that with Marieta working so hard on her class stuff that I kind of feel like I am going to wake up tomorrow with none of my homework done, as I definitely relived a couple weekends I experienced back in high school. Okay kiddos, hope your 4th was fun. Peace.

This Is Not P@'s Garden Blog

2010-07-02T18:28:00.004-05:00

I promise, I wont turn this into "Hey guess what I found in my garden today" blog. I am just swept up in the frenzy of birthing tastiness from the Earth. Here's another picture post.

Here's Marieta picking some peas out of sad bean poles. We put the poles up too late and the peas haven't seemed to take to them very well.

Doesn't seem to be stopping them from getting big and fat.

Not that big, but the biggest yet.

Zucchs aren't a pick and pop type of veggie. Gotta pick out the stamen and clear out the critters that have made the blossoms their home. I have to do it because Marieta is scared of the critters.

Check out the haul. 1.5 lbs of baby zucch and 7.5 ozs of blossoms. Plus a handful of peas and beans.

Don't they just look tasty? Happy 4th everybody.

Our Squash is Blossoming

2010-06-27T15:15:00.005-05:00

So today is the greatest day in our home-owning yet! I could tell you all about it... or I could show you! Check out these pics.

So we woke up with plans of thinning out the over growth on our backyard hill... Well while eating breakfast Marieta noticed that we had squash blossoms outside. So we ran out there to check em out.

Holy Biscuits! All of our plants are flowering and ready to spit out some baby veggies. We harvested all the blossoms and baby zuchs. So.... good....

So Friday we couldn't see these guys from the kitchen... NOW WE'RE ABOUT TO EAT 9 ZUCHS!!

Have you ever had Squash Blossoms? Oh buddy... you are missing out... Everyone loves fried zuchini. Well you don't know good till you've had fried squash blossom.

All dusted up and ready to dance.

Looks kind of like they are getting a carmel bath.

To borrow a phrase from our favorite Food Network personality Alton Brown... Golden, Brown, AND DELICIOUS!!!!

One of the most exciting things about becoming a homeowner was starting our garden and good gravy has it paid off, AND THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING! Squash, Tomatoes, Peppers, Peas, Beans, Beets... so much good stuff to come. Plus we get to work in the work in the dirt and make friends with nature. Like this guy that I found in our grass clipping pile. I'm gonna name him Smooth.

Hope we meet again smooth. : )

Big 12: Burn Baby Burn

2010-06-10T14:28:00.009-05:00

I gotta say... as an Iowa State fan you have got to love this. The Big 12 is dead as we know it and that couldn't be a better thing. What worked in the Big 12 for Iowa State? Tradition? Sure, but a whole lot of good that turned out to be. BCS? Well considering we've played in ZERO BCS GAMES I don't think anyone should be losing sleep over that for the moment. Money? Are you kidding me? All the money our conference made went to the big schools. How can a school with a $25 Million budget compete with a $125 Million school. So as far as I'm concerned this is a GREAT thing for ISU. Colorado may have opened the door but I think we should slam it hard after all the greed filled goliaths are gone.

Everyone has been talking about how ISU has no leverage in this whole ordeal. That is true and we should be celebrating. Those schools are about to leave and join mega conferences where the decent-bordering-on-bad teams will get absolutely pummeled. They are all gonna jump for the money but in this situation the rich will get richer, the poor will get dunked in hot garbage. You can't tell me in five years after these schools are settled in that the bottom feeders of the PAC 16 and BIG 16 wont look at their situation and say... Did we are take 20 million in TV money to be punching bags? Yes Colorado, you did. It's the same thing that was said about the 16 team Big East... someone has to lose. So when revenue dips because your school sucks on the field... will they look to bolt for a better opportunity at winning? Sure it's nice being Rutgers and Colorado, a tanker of cash about to dump in your lap but when you're at the bottom of a dog pile you may reconsider.

Here is where Iowa State is smart to hold tight. It appears Kansas and Mizzou are out of the expansion mix, which is very good for us. Let's face we need one or both of them to help us get into a good situation. Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Mizzou, Baylor (sorry Bears, the west coast schools want nothing to do with you or us) can reform a league with other schools itching for BCS recognition and a better chance at winning on the large stage. So... here is my imaginative reformation of the Big 12.

So there is a lot going on here... I think the conference breakdown makes sense, but why do each of these schools want in on this party? Let's break each school down.

Kansas, K-State, Iowa State, Mizzou: Makes great sense for us to stay together thanks to geography, history, and rivalries.

Baylor: By taking Colorado first the Pac 10 has pretty much said no to Baylor. They only want six and when you replace the Bears with the Buffs in the big 12 south, they have 6 there. Now assuming they still want in on what the other leftovers are gonna do... welcome to the party.

Okay... the others...

West:
Utah and BYU: Both of these school have major issues with the BCS and without having to go down a legal road that may never pay off... here's a great opportunity. The competition will be great, their seasons will gain legitamacy, Would you rather hold up a championship that means you beat Kansas, Mizzou, and the like or San Diego State, New Mexico, etc?

TCU: Maybe not the biggest step up in competition but enough to make them a power on the national stage. Plus their hoops program would take a jump. Hell everyones hoops would jump up.

East:
Memphis and Louisville: Neither of these schools belong in their respective conference. Louisville is way west of New York, their football has taken a severe dive in the last three years, and their basketball should be leading a league not looked over. Memphis is C-USA and this move would make them rich and give them some great rivals and an awesome schedule.

Arkansas: Hardest of all the sells but the rumors are they aren't getting enough love from the SEC and believe you me this conference would let them in with a smile on its face. They would be near the epicenter of the beast, their football could potential rule the roost, and their basketball program could gain more legitmacy.

Tulane: Do I really have to say why they want back in? They would be really small but that's a good market and a fun fit for this league, plus it would help the bottom feeder battle.

This is probably all going to look foolish and dated within 6 hours but damn if it wouldn't be sweet. I really think this could be an ACC style basketball conference if this came to fruition. Oh well... a boy can dream.

PB & AJ Keep on Rawkin

2010-05-16T11:32:00.002-05:00

That is the latest video from PB & AJ. I am pretty proud of it. I think the song has a good message while staying fun, the video is a lot of fun, and it gets me excited for the next PB & AJ song. This is our 7th song. So far we have done Old MacDonald, Twinkle Twinkle, Hickory Dickory Dock, The Alphabet Song, Eat Right, Days of The Week, and now Outside. The last three are originals. I used to say I really wanted to write a kids album sometime... well guess what I am close to half way there. Can't wait till Christmas, we should have like 20 jams by then! Peace.

If you're a facebook stalker, you'll need to search for PB & AJ on Facebook to see the video (or just go to my blog).

Iron Man 2: Electric Boogaloo

2010-05-11T11:12:00.002-05:00

Last Wednesday I got to attend an advance screening of Iron Man 2. Now that everyone has scene it, it's not that big a deal. However, I have a blog and I do critique films for my job... this time we did something special. We did a two minute review for the news and then we let the camera roll and we just went with it. Here's what came of it:

Yes I do bash this film pretty hard, and no after a week to cool down I do not relent, except on Sam Rockwell. I saw this film again on Sunday and I think he does an admirable job, he's just looks like a trained monkey compared to Robert Downey Jr.

If you haven't seen it make sure you hear them say at the beginning that the Stark Expo is one week long. Everything that happens in the movie happens within a week... c'mon... C'MON! Oh well, Fun, nothing great and after the first film destroyed all other superhero movies this one should have, and could have, done the same. Still, I can't wait for Iron Man 3 and the future Marvel Releases. Peace

Great Weekend

2010-05-03T10:11:00.005-05:00

We were busy like bees this weekend. Friday after work Nick Welter and I moved about 15 wheel barrels full of dirt to our raised beds. I was so freaking beat after all that digging that we were lights out in bed by 10 o'clock. I would feel like a loser but when you are working with shovels and dirt... you can't help but feel manly.

Saturday, we woke up early around 8 and danced our way over to the Downtown Des Moines Farmers' Market. I brought a camera and this is what it looked like.

Packed to the gills. Was a good time, ran into my old bud Dan Givens, his fiancee, and his parents, and talked to some of our favorite farmers. Love the locally grown produce... now if only they would split it into prepared food at one end, and farmers at the other. Get the fools out of my way who only came down there to buy a breakfast burrito.

Saturday night Marieta and I drove all the way to Cedar Rapids for the Iowa Broadcast News Association awards dinner. It was cool and I got a second place prize for my contributions to a series of Oskaloosa political stories. Pretty cool considering I didn't even throw my name in the hat for prize; my news producer Jonathan Gregg put it on there for me. Here's a pic of me with Patrick Bobery's award.

All that way and I didn't even win anything... : )

Sunday was probably my favorite day of the weekend. Marieta and I drove out to her family's farm and help plant somewhere around 50 trees for their wind break. I got to use an Auger, shovel, plant a handful of trees... I love doing manly things. Check out a video I shot of it.

Well that's the weekend, I am a little beat from staying up late for IBNA and then working so hard yesterday... oh well, it was worth it. Hope you are all having a transcendentally awesome Monday. Peace.

Bag Open, Cats Everywhere

2010-04-23T11:11:00.004-05:00

Marieta and I are burgeoning documentarians. Something I've always wanted to do; however I've never had a topic that I felt warranted extrospection. Well things have changed. Marieta loves food, I enjoy eating, and we both carry a torch for the sustainable farming movement. Farmers Markets, Locavore, Organic; these are important words to the Bobergs V.2008. Recently we saw "Big River," the follow up mini doc to "King Corn." Both focus a lot of their run time on Iowa and farming in the state. For the most part it makes things look bleak. Well that just isn't so, some people in this state are growing ethical produce, raising livestock in a sustainable fashion, and sell products in a consumer friendly way. Welcome to "Sustaining Iowa."

You know when you have what you feel is a good idea and want to keep it hidden till it's come to fruition? Couldn't do it. I've talked with family, some friends, done a small amount of filming, and today I told my boss. I just get too excited about things. This film has a long way to go, and the website is still very bare, but I am feeling pretty good about what's happening here. Check her out and follow the Sustaining Iowa Blog. Peace

Money Money Money!

2010-04-14T08:40:00.001-05:00

Tis a good day to be a Boberg, our tax return has a arrived. Sadly I think we missed out on the schedule M refund. if you have a job you get 400 bucks. That easy. lucky for us there are tax amendments. review your return and if you missed it as well. If you did simply fill out a 1040x and the schedule M form. easy stuff. all right my oil is changed, time to split. Peace

2010 Scotty B Pool Tournament

2010-03-24T08:51:00.003-05:00

On March 20th, 2010 the 3rd Annual Scotty B Pool tournament took place in Jamaica, Iowa. 16 choice billards players were invited to compete in a tournament that consisted of 32 rounds of play.

With that said... this looked like a perfect excuse to film a quick mockumentary. Please watch the entire piece as my favorite part is after the credits. Thanks for killing 6 minutes with me. Peace.

Facebookers may have to visit my actual blog to view this.

All About The Upsets

2010-03-17T13:38:00.004-05:00

Never have I gone this crazy on a bracket. In the first round I have 8 upsets. Generally I go pretty chalk in the first round. I'm feeling pretty good about my Final Four though. Kansas doesn't have face every team in their bracket just 5 of them, and of those 5 maybe 3 will give them a game. my Final Four is Kansas, Syracuse, New Mexico, and Baylor. What? Don't give me that, New Mexico is a good team and can really play. I watched a couple of their games this year and they were as entertaining a team as I have seen in a while. I'm pretty stoked for this tourney. My bracket will get ripped to shreads but who cares it's just fun to have a reason to cheer for teams in which I have nothing invested.

It's A-P-PLE-S-A-UCE

2010-02-20T12:03:00.005-06:00

This past summer the man known as Martin Martini Ini gave me like 25 VHS filled with Horseshoe Spatula performances from the past 12 years and a bunch of other random craziness he gathered thru out the years. Things were pretty crazy when he handed them off but I'm finally getting to digitizing them. Here's a tasty shot circa... 2001?

Sometimes facebook stalkers need to actually visit my blog to see the fun stuff; http://stuntbunny.blogspot.com

Maybe you don't find that cool or even interesting in the slightest but being as these guys were my favorite band I love this crap. Also, ingesting all this footage allows me to spend a lot of quality time in my basement, and it is in need of some serious attention. Boxes upon boxes of randomness. In fact check out what I found last night while rummaging around:

Yeah you remember Slingo. LIke 1997/98 this game rocked. I don't remember getting this handheld version... must have been like a stocking stuffer or something...

Before I post this let me drop a little music nugget on you. One of my coworkers @ the CRI produced this sports segment on the state wrestling tournament and the Osky kids who weren't competing. In it he interviewed this kid who made some crack about competition kick starts his heart... well J-Mad (my coworker) is not a rock fan in the slightest and that line went right over his head. Well naturally while we were reviewing the show a bunch of us laughed like idiots. J-Mad didn't know why were laughing so I made sure to enlighten him as to the terrible/rawk power of Motley Crue by playing him the song "Kick Start my Heart" on my phone. I think we are all in agreement that Vince Neal is probably the worst singer in the history of rock n roll and Motley Crue is cheese city with the lyrics but guitar wise and just adrenaline rush of some their tunes are awesome so... crank up the speakers and enjoy this 1986 rock classic

Peace.

Big River, A King Corn Companion Piece

2010-02-01T14:08:00.003-06:00

Two years ago Marieta and I attended a screening and community forum in Oakland, Califoran on the film King Corn. The documentary is basically two dudes learning all the uses of corn and how corn came be the wonder crop (and not in a good way) that it is. As a way to give the film some narrative they move to Iowa for a summer to grow an acre of corn on their great grandparents land. Really interesting and intelligent documentary.

Well guess what... they're back, and this time they are looking into the environmental impact their acre of corn. Check it out:

Big River Trailer from Wicked Delicate Films on Vimeo.

Sorry Facebookers, you'll have to click here to watch this video.

I'm excited to see this. They are touring the film around according to the Big River site. Even cooler than that! It's showing in Iowa, thanks to Practical Farmers of Iowa. Oh I'm going, who is going with us?

When I'm Bored I Tend To do Stupid Things

2010-01-29T21:51:00.002-06:00

Like This:

For you facebook followers you need to click here to watch.

I Don't Want To Grow Up

2010-01-29T11:08:00.003-06:00

This may not be the dream of living out Josh Baskin's job in Big but damn if it isn't close. The CRI has been producing a show for children called "Kids Show." Up until this week I've played a pretty minor role in the show; producing songs that my coworker AJ and I perform as "PB & AJ," but I've finally stepped up to the plate and started solely producing a segment called "Big Stuff." At first I was a little hesitant because I wasn't exactly sure how to tackle it but after just deciding to shoot something and just do it I think it may be the coolest thing about my job. Check out the first segment of Big Stuff: Snow Plow.

I shot, edited, voiced, animated, scored, and did everything and anything involved with this segment (Well I did have a bunch of coworkers help me yell big stuff a few times...) I'm pretty stoked about doing this thing. I think I'll do wind turbines for the next segment. Anyone got any ideas what else I should tackle?

God's Mistake: pt 1

2010-01-21T11:36:00.004-06:00

So a couples weeks ago Marieta and I were having some Jimmy John's in Valley West Mall when this mother pushed her stroller up to us and started dressing her baby for going outside. It reminded me of A Christmas Story where the main character's little brother is wearing so many layers he can't put his arms down. Anywho! I kept thinking how funny little babies are and it's weird how I was once that small. After pondering that for a couple seconds I got to thinking why do people stop growing? Seems like poor planning. If people continued growing throughout their lives I think elders would be respected much more. Who is revered the most? Really tall people. You just kind of respect that this person is so huge they could crush you if they wanted to. With the way the world is set up right now kids often grow taller than their parents, and without physically looking up at someone I think respect and admiration is kind of lost in the process. I mean imagine if your 18 years old, six feet tall and your dad is 45 years old and 12 feet tall. That's insane. If my Dad was 12 feet tall I would never disrespect him.

Basically what I'm saying here is God should have thought this growing thing through a little better. Can't always be right I guess.

Before You Buy a House

2009-12-10T13:18:00.003-06:00

Buy a snow blower-well, if you live in the midwest that is. What stupid luck. We move back to Iowa, buy a house, and within our first month of home-ownership the state sees the worst snow fall in my lifetime combine with blizzard winds. Not fun. By my count I have shoveled out 7 driveways and the street (thanks living in a new neighborhood) all within the past 4 days. Good times. I may sound like a whiny little girl but when it's all said & done... I kind of enjoy the shoveling, I hate the sitting at home. Driving to work from Des Moines to Oskaloosa is pretty dangerous when the state can barely keep the streets clean.

The streets should be clean by tomorrow, which means I'm back on the clock. Let's hope Sunday forecast of freezing rain is unfounded.

Company Time on Facebook

2009-11-30T19:23:00.004-06:00

Finally the one stop Company Time shop you've been looking for. Search us out on Facebook to become a fan of Company Time.

Baste It!

2009-11-25T13:56:00.004-06:00

Oh yea... Another holiday, another parody song. You know you want to download this. Company Time Presents - The Turkey Boys - "Gobble Till you Wobble."

Just right click on this graphic and click "save link as" Who knows? we may have a Thanksgiving classic on our hands.

Because Jacob Made Me!

2009-11-24T14:35:00.002-06:00

We are coming up on the Film Review special at work and Jacob had mentioned that he was considering putting together a "Best of the Decade" since they are popping up around the interweb. Initially I was against it because the decade truly ends in 2011... however including 2000 allows me to drop in some of my favorite films and I love lists (who doesn't?)

First things first; this list will probably change in like 5 years when I finally see all the flicks I've missed over the last two or three years. Now... chow on this:

P@'s Top Ten Films of the 00's

1) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

2) Almost Famous (2000)

3) DiG! (2004)

4) Happy-Go-Luck (2008)

5) Once (2008)

6) Lost in Translation (2005)

7) Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)

8) Inglorious Basterds (2009)

9) Snatch (2000)

10) Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? (2001)

A quick explanation:

Eternal Sunshine ~ not only does this flick have some of the coolest visuals I've ever seen but the story is rock solid, the acting is perfect across the board, and just mentioning the title makes me want to pop in the DVD. Also, kudos to Jim Carrey's last good movie.

Almost Famous ~ Hard to believe this came out in 2000. How can you argue with how good this film is? If you have ever been in a band you know the dynamics at play here. If you have ever been a music junkie you know what the main character is going thru. Plus the directors cut is incredible. Should have won the Oscar.

DiG! ~ Just watch it and tell me it's not incredible.

Happy-Go-Luck ~ I love the main character. So much fun and a non hollywood story. I watched this three nights in a row.

Once ~ Again, if you've been in a band, a songwriter, or had your heart broken you know what's up with this guy. And the tunes? please, incredible.

Lost in Translation ~ This may be the trendiest film of the decade and I can't escape it. The soundtrack amazing and it helped remind everyone that Bill Murray is possible the greatest living actor- Definitely the greatest to come from Chicago.

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind ~ I love spy movies, this one has Sam Rockwell and George Clooney it's too bad it has Julia. So good, so fun, great visuals

Inglorious Basterds ~ I had to include something QT and this film wins based on the incredible performance from the bad guy and Tarantino's willingness to take the script where it needed to go. I love when a film puts a cherry on top with its final scene and Basterds is Example A with this films closing scene.

Snatch ~ I love the script and character interplay in this film. Plus it comes off as a heist film even though the heist is less than 10% of the film. Plus similar to Basterds the happy ending is exactly where the plot needed to go. Also, one of the few films I like with voice over carrying the plot.

Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? ~ Simliar to Basterds there was no way I was gonna keep the Coen's out of this list but for my money they haven't really produced a show stopper in the last 10 years. Miller's Crossing is still my personal favorite and I am just waiting for them to top it. Oh Brother is great stylization, soundtrack, story telling, and the film that turned me around on Clooney (along with Ocean's 11). So many great quotables.

Declaring my Interweb Dominance

2009-10-20T22:47:00.002-05:00

You probably know that I'm big on posting little videos on the web. Well it seems only fitting that with my 500 Babbling Scribe post I declare my web video dominance! Why may you ask? View Count.

Okay, so I'm not viral but I'm close. Earlier this month I discovered this little contest on Lonely Planet's youtube channel where you post "My Journey" videos. So I used the video I shot from our honeymoon and entered a "My Journey- Kauai" piece. Care to watch? No? well too bad.

Well, I made that pretty quick just to toss my hat in for a chance at the top prize (a week trip in San Francisco and other treats including a sweet camera). I still figure it is a shot in the dark that I will take home that prize but dudes... As I publish this post that video has 9,946 views! That's incredible. The closest I have ever come to an amount like that is my crappy video of fireworks in Chicago from three years ago, and that video only has like 3k or so. I guess people dig it. If I had known it would be watched so much I might have put a little more work into my voice over (kind of blah in my opinion).

I doubt views is what wins this contest but I feel pretty cool for gathering close to 10k views in like two weeks. I have plans to make a Des Moines submission for my other youtube account but I am super busy with other things for work so I may just have to rest on this Kauai submission and hope it is enough to get us back to the Bay for a week long renaissance.

In other web-u-nessity news, my current pod about the 2009 Iowa Farm Crawl- oh you haven't seen that yet? Well here you go.

Well as I was saying-before I rudely interrupted myself-this video is playing well in the Iowa Farm community. I sent it to the Crawl people and they love it. I was hesitant to send it to them because I am still a 7th grade boy in some concerns and was afraid they would hate it and reject it as crap. So Hey hey! I'm feeling pretty good right now about my little videos. Those 40 some videos on our family webpage are not pointless. Hooray! Time for sleepy sleep.

Iowa Farm Crawl

2009-10-16T19:53:00.001-05:00

Last month Marieta and I checked out the Iowa Farm Crawl. Here's a little looksie I put together.

The Wonders of Video & Sound

2009-10-09T16:24:00.003-05:00

Was there ever a better time to work in video than the 1980s? Movies and everything got better but to me the creme de la creme is 1980s music videos. Everything look so terrible but yet people loved it. If I were in a band making a music video today I would definitely do it in the vein of The Buggles (Video killed the radio star) and Flock of Seagulls. So damn cheap look but classic.

Sadly today music videos are worthless (mainly because no one plays them on a basic cable channel). That wont stop me though. Check out what clicked in my brain about 8 am this morning.

"When You're Dead" by Chris and Tad from Patryck Boberg on Vimeo.

Sweet? Oh... not sweet... Well I enjoyed making it. Anywhoooo! Have a good weekend. Peace.

How can one man be so freaking cool?

2009-10-01T14:28:00.002-05:00

I realized earlier this afternoon that I am horrendously out of the musical loop. I don't pay attention at all to new music. I don't listen to the radio (as if anything I like is on) and I don't look to see if my old favorites are putting out new stuff or playing in my area. I missed an RX Bandits concert in Des Moines from a few weeks back and today I stumbled onto the new Foo Fighters single. Sounds all right, I feel they have written themselves into a formulaic corner. Dave Grohl needs to just grab a four track and spend a week in a garage with out of tune guitar. Maybe then FF would be able to reset and put out an organically rockin album.

Be that as it may, Dave Grohl is working his musical ass off. Check out this video from his latest collaboration as a drummer; It's "Them Crooked Vultures" with Josh Homme on guitar and !!JOHN PAUL-JONES!! on bass.

Oh man that's amazing. I can't wait to pick up this disc. I will probably never see them live in concert being as I don't really go to shows anymore (shows cost too much), but damn if I wont rock the disc in my car (when I'm not listening to a book on tape). It's been a while since sat anxiously for an album to come out. Figures Dave Grohl would be the one to relight my music fan fuse.

Evening with an Artist

2009-09-28T14:26:00.004-05:00

Do you know the man pictured above? Would it help to tell you he's a publish poet? That he is going on Tour with his first book in February? That doesn't help? Hmm... What if I told you he was my best friend in the 6th grade? Oh yeah! Now you remember, Josh Boyd!

Josh is all grown up now and if all the branches hold up on the tree during his climb he'll soon be a successful poet. Really cool. A couple months ago Marieta was working with a new Dietetic intern at WIC. She was a pretty cool chick (just as into food and baby stuff as Marieta) and after some back and forth it turned out her fiance is Josh. Marieta said to me one day before we headed out to the farmers market "When you used to play out with your band did you ever meet a guy named Josh Boyd?" Haha, I met Josh long before I was ever in a band.

Anyways we got to talking, and he was telling me about his poetry, the book, his tour, and I thought this would be a perfect scenario to put my love for short character based documentarys (a la Current.com stuff) to good use. So last night I swung over to the Drake area around 9 pm and shot about 30 minutes of Josh rehearsing with his musician friends. The room was a little dark and you can hear me messing with the camera here and there but I think this quick little cut up is kind of cool. Check it out:

Thursday night Josh is playing a show in the East Village with these kids and I'm gonna tape it. In the end I hope to put together like 8-10 minute piece on Josh's art and how he got to where he is. I'm pretty excited for it.

The Bobergs are in a Committed Relationship

2009-09-20T16:42:00.005-05:00

Wells Fargo has put their money where are mouths are. So come mid October Marieta and I will be housing it up! How cool is that? You know I've been saying for the last two months that the worst part of homebuying is waiting for the underwriter so give the thumbs up, but now that the only thing standing in our way is the closing... ROCK N ROLL!!!! Here's what she looks like right now.

The sod is all laid, the kitchen and dining area have all the wood flooring down, the sold sign is just out of the frame on the left, and as of today all of the framing lumber is laying in our driveway to finish off the basement. Cool stuff. I'm excited for all of this goodness to be finished off, move in, and set up my drum set in the basement... Marieta may not know what crazy loudness she is in for : ) Stop by every once in a while to see where this baby is at. EXCITED!

Labor Day Weekend 2009

2009-09-08T13:07:00.005-05:00

This weekend will probably go down in Pat Boberg infamy.

Friday morning I discovered a half dead bat in the toilet at work:

Friday evening thru Sunday morning we camped with a bunch of friends at Ledges:

Labor Day Ledges Camp Out from Patryck Boberg on Vimeo.

And Monday we bought our first house (to get the true feel of this video you need to turn off the youtube sound and play Madness' "Our House" while viewing. Youtube axed it from the original version due to copywright issues):

How freaking cool is that? What an awesome weekend! Something hilarious, something chilled out and fun, and something life changing! As an aside it has brought to my attention several times over that a year ago I was traveling back to Iowa from San Francisco to get married with no intention of moving home, and a year later I live in Iowa! AND WE'RE A MONTH AWAY FROM CLOSING ON OUR VERY FIRST HOUSE!!! Well I hope your weekend was as action-packed as mine. There will most likely be several videos over the course of this home purchase so stay tuned!

Night Driving in Broad Daylight

2009-09-01T08:51:00.002-05:00

Just a quick little anecdote to start the day. Every morning I leave home around 10 to 8a and listen to KXNO sports radio up til I get to Pella. Around Pella the radio signal craps out due to hills, powerlines, and radio towers blocking the way, so I pop in a cd (yes I'm one of the few people who doesn't do the ipod driving thing.) It's been kind of fun going through my mountain of cds over the last month. I've listened to everything I had not given a spin in a while; NOfx, Stone Temple Pilots, Thursday, Beatles, etc.

Today's choice was The Photo Album by Death Cab For Cutie. Really through the whole feel of the morning off. You see during college I spent several evenings driving home from Iowa City, concerts, Des Moines, pizza hut in Ankeny, and my go to night driving cd was The Photo Album. It just really wound the night down in the perfect way. Well winding down on my drive to work is not generally something one needs to do, and it's f'ed up my entire inner energy... I think I'm gonna have to pop on the headphones and listen to something really heavy to get back into it... truly bizarre feeling I got going on here.

Oh well, it's 8:59, time for the Tuesday morning meeting. Peace holmes.

15 Films (I can't say no to facebook)

2009-08-22T09:22:00.003-05:00

Rules:
1) Don't take too long to think about it.
2) Fifteen films you've seen that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall.
3) Tag 15 friends, including me because I'm interested in seeing what films my friends choose. (To do this, go to your Notes tab on your profile page, paste rules in a new note, cast your 15 picks, and tag people in the note -- upper right hand side.)

1. Waynes World
2. Dead Poets Society
3. Alien
4. Terminator 2
5. Ghostbusters
6. High Fidelity
7. Fight Club
8. Snatch
9. Brazil
10. Requiem for a Dream
11. Caddy Shack (1 & 2, but for different reasons)
12. Magnolia
13. Back To The Future
14. The Corporation
15. Almost Famous

My 3s (as seen on facebook)

2009-08-19T10:11:00.004-05:00

3s of me

You've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with the 3's of YOU. At the end, choose 26 people to be tagged. You have to tag me so really you just need 25 more people. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you. It's a good way to learn more about your friends!!

(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 3''s of Me, tag 26 people - in the right hand corner of the app - then click publish.)

Three names I go by:
1. Patrick
2. Pat
3. PJ

Three Jobs I have had in my life:
1. Pizza Delivery Guy
2. Lawn Mower
3. Hot Cider Salesmen

Three Places I have lived:
1. Friley Dodds
2. Helzer Livingston
3. Village Town Center

Three Favorite drinks:
1. Cherry Coke (it has been a really long time)
2. Good Beer
3. water

Three TV Shows that I watch:
1. Rescue Me
2. Entourage
3. The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien

Three places I have been:
1. Anchorage
2. Kaua'i
3. Sparks, Nevada

Three of my favorite foods:
1. Cheddar's Chicken Fingers
2. Fried Fish Sandwich in Whittier Alaska
3. Tropical Dreams Ice Cream in Kileuea, Kaua'i

Three friends I think will respond:
1. none

Three Things I am looking forward to:
1. Seeing Hairball
2. Camping over labor day
3. The revolution!

Three Things that are always by your side:
1. Marieta
2. My video camera
3. my crossbow

Three favorite vacations:
1. Kauai
2. Anchorage
3. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area for Two years

Tarantino and the Last 17 years

2009-08-17T10:18:00.003-05:00

I, like many others, will see any film that Tarantino directs. Many have said the man is a ripoff artist, but if you ever read the interviews the man falls just short of admitting it. He is the king of the homage. Kill Bill is scene after scene of the man showing us what he loves about kung fu movies and westerns. Incredibly shot and scripted.

This post is not about defending QT, no it's about QT's top 20 films from the last 17 years. Watch the above youtube clip and then come back to me.

You may not like this guys style and his picks but damn it if he didn't rewrite Unbreakable for me at the end there. I wrote that film off the second I walked out of the theater. M. Sham-a-lamb's follow up to Sixth Sense pissed me off when I first saw it. Unbreakable had the same character model (a father figure who has experienced a tragedy, a child who awkward and quiet, a mother who is all but closed off to the outside world, with the only difference being the Sammy Jackson), it had the same mission scene at the end where the main character finally becomes comfortable with his powers to save some random innocent, there is a gamechanging twist at the very end (I'll save this for you in case you haven't seen the film), and the shot selection and color scheme is very similar to the sixth sense as well.

Beyond all that pile of mediocrity QT pulls out the pitch that was never sold in the film and should have been the driving force behind the original write up the script. "What if Superman existed but didn't know he was Superman?" That's an awesome premise, too bad Sham-a-lamb threw 50 pounds of hot manure on that idea and came up with a story line and presentation that put everyone to sleep. Sham-a-lamb should call QT before he puts out another piece of garbage and have QT find the saving grace in his trash before he digs the corpse of his career another six feet into the Earth.

50 Concerts (as seen on Facebook)

2009-08-11T09:03:00.002-05:00

OK, here are the rules. Test your memory and your love of live music by listing 50 artists or bands (or as many as you can remember) you've seen in concert. List the first 50 acts that come into your head. An act you saw at a festival and opening acts count, but only if you can't think of 50 other artists. Oh, and list the first concert you ever saw (you can remember that, can’t you)?

Should you choose this challenge, here's what you do:
Copy my note. Click on “notes” under tabs on your profile page. Select "write a new note" in the top corner. Paste the copy in the body of the note. Make your list. Change the number at the top, and add your title. Once you've saved, don't forget to tag friends (including me) on the right.

1. Rolling Stones
3. Blind Melon
4. Nerfherder
5. Goldfinger
6. Reel Big Fish (8 times)
7. Alkaline Trio (12 times)
8. MU330
9. Grubby Ernie
10. Mustard Plug
11. The Urge
12. NOfx
13. Dave Matthews Band
14. Thursday
15. Dashboard COnfessional
16. Poison the Well
17. Common Rider
18. Clever
19. Pushover
20. Less Than Jake
21. The Bronx
22. RX Bandits
23. The French Kicks
24. God's Reflex
25. The Dismemberment Plan (best live band ever)
26. Death Cab For Cutie (worst live band ever)
27. Green Day
28. Jimmy Eat World
29. The Promise Ring
30. Ultimate Fakebook
31. The Impossibles
32. Saves the Day
33. Kind of Like Spitting
34. Weezer
35. The Get Up Kids
36. Ozma
37. No Motiv
38. Something Corporate
39. Ben Folds
40. Midtown
41. New Found Glory
42. Zebrahead
43. Ten Grand
44. Murder By Death
45. Fairweather
46. Ani Difranco
47. Superdrag
48. Nada Surf
49. Blood Brothers
50. Jack Johnson

Back From Kauai

2009-08-05T14:51:00.003-05:00

Dudes, Kauai was awesome. Want a taste of our honeymoon? Watch this:

Honeymoon In Kauai from Patryck Boberg on Vimeo.

Yeah, it was that awesome. That is the longest video I've posted of something I've done but you know what! Who cares? If you don't like it you can suck an egg. If you haven't seen enough we have some pictures over at our family website.

Before I post this thing let me draw your attention to the new widget on the left here. My 12seconds.tv channel. Kind of fun. Play with that and if you want to know more about 12seconds... visit them! Peace.

Kauai in Four Days

2009-07-21T15:46:00.006-05:00

If I told you this Saturday we're gonna spend over 9 hours sitting in a tight, confined space soaking in other peoples germs I doubt you would envy me. Well what if I told you the reward for that disgusting immune system endurance test was spending a week in Hawaii? Now you're jealous. This Saturday Marieta and I will leave our mainland cares behind and will kick back with tropical drinks on the beautiful island of Kauai. I can hardly wait. If you're reading this on Facebook you already know how much of a jerk I've been about it, but in case you aren't down with the social networking I've been posting videos like this:

Since last week. I wont post a video of everything we're gonna do but here's a small list: Snorkeling, swimming in the ocean, hiking up mountains, going ot a lauau, taking a zipline tour of the mountains (back in the day I always said we should travel by zipline, life would be so much more fun), exploring the sugar tunnels of Kauai, and SO MUCH MORE. I doubt I'll be on the internet much of next week so you may not be able to live vicariously through my blog but if we do have the web at our resort... who knows. I should really leave the super highway at the airport on this trip... we'll see if my addiction gets the best of me. Aloha.

Watching Jurassic Park 2

2009-07-12T15:24:00.002-05:00

That is how bored I am. I haven't seen this film since I went with Dan Givens to the Debut in 1997. I may have only been like 14 but even then I recognized the stupidity of this film. So why am I watching it now? Because it's Sunday and Marieta is out shopping for our Hawaii tripand I have nothing to do but digitize the Brian Hogan archive. I fixed my bike tire earlier but now I'm pretty much bored out of my mind. I think it may be time to get out of this place and go for a bike ride.

HOpe your weekend is sugary sweet. Au revoir.

An Iowegan July

2009-07-02T08:42:00.006-05:00

Yesterday was my one month anniversary at CRI. Good times. I've had a handful of stuff on air, been working intermittently on revamping the CRI site, and I'd like to think I've become an integral part of the lunch committee. My seat on the board of lunch-resentatives is still probationary but I think I've proved my worth...

Oh Iowa, this is my third time embracing you as a citizen and you have not let me down. We've been busy with old friends, making new ones, taking adventures around Des Moines, and even christened our wedding gifted tent last weekend at Backbone state park. T'was a good time. check out this video:

Camping @ BackBone State Park from Patryck Boberg on Vimeo.

And now fourth of July is upon us! It should be pretty sweet. Friday the 3rd I'm golfing with my grade school buds Wags and Elliot, Friday night Marieta and I are getting together with the soon to be wed Nick and Leslie, and Saturday... oh boy am I excited. I'm running a 5k with Jordan followed by a day of fun at his Father-in-law Scott's place. Scott is homebrew guy and some sort of big beer guy in the midwest. When Marieta and I were first dating we'd occasionally be over there and Scott would always have something new and tasty for us to sample. Good times.

So if I can figure out how to do it, expect a video of my run. Maybe a time lapse or something... If I can't get that together, than definitely some footage of the rest of my weekend. Hope your Independence day is rockin. Peace.

It's Never Too Late To Love

2009-06-08T22:44:00.004-05:00

And by love I mean post pictures of something that happened a couple weeks ago.

These be the best pics . If you want to see them individually click on the slideshow. There will be a nice long video to check out but it wont be posted till probably the end of the week. Time to go, David Duchovny is on Conan.

Oh and incase you never saw it. Here's what went down in Sparks, NV.

In The Words of Dicky Barrett...

2009-06-07T20:44:00.002-05:00

"Where did ya go?" Oh Me, that's right, Iowa. I forgot to let you in on the whole update from the road and whatnot. There are plenty of pictures and I took quite a bit of video. I will post all that goodness but for now... it's sleepy time. Nighty night.

Wedding Dress by the Beach

2009-05-18T10:43:00.005-05:00

Since the day we got married Marieta has been itching to take pictures in her dress on the California Beach. Well eight months later she got her wish. We drove up and around the Marin Headlands taking pictures and video. It was pretty cool time. We didn't take a thousand pictures but I think we took some good ones. It also helps that while I was running back and forth between being in the frame and the tripod a nice couple with a really nice XLR camera asked if he could help. His pics look great. Its funny how you never notice what you're missing in resolution quality until you have two samples of pics sitting side by side. The dude said he had never taken any wedding pics before but was pretty big into photography. I am so thankful he helped us out. He gave me his card and incase you're looking to redesign your kitchen clicky here. Maybe Mr. Bhargava can help you out.

I'm having a good time messing with photoshop. These pics are pretty prime for messing around. I can't tell if what I'm doing really improves the pictures but hey it's fun to toy with em. Check these out...

Original...

Colorized...

Original...

Stylized...

So yeah I'm mainly toying around but I've been learning on my own in my spare time so... I think I'm coming along.

While taking these pics we also shot some video. In fact we have a lot video from recent adventures that haven't been posted. It'll all get up on our family website eventually but in a different form... I'm putting together a big ole piece on our time in California. We've only been here for a couple years but we've actually done quite a bit... I wish we had one more year. We didn't get to Mendocino, Yosemite, Tahoe... NEXT TIME! I'm not saying we're definitely moving back here but we definitely want to get back west someday. Bay Area? maybe. Portland? that would be cool. Seattle? I'm listening. It'll happen folks. Marieta and I can't sit in the same place for too long. Life is too short and we both need adventure.

Okay so check back within the next week for or two for a big ole piece on how the Boberg's did California! Peace

For A Good Time Watch

2009-05-15T13:20:00.004-05:00

Here's a quick little taste of our time with Chris and Katie Saldanha on their recent trip out west. You know this video is ridonkulously short but it makes me smile every time I watch it. enjoy.

In other news, we have destroyed our apartment. I mean watch out. We live in the simulated ruins of post-apocolyptics 6420 schmidt. Yikes. I'll keep you all updated as the Bobergs V.2008 prepare for the great retreat of 2009. Love you all peace.

Iowa Here We Come - Babbling Scribe Podcast 5

2009-05-07T12:53:00.003-05:00

In case you haven't heard... The Bobergs are moving back to Iowa. For the details you have two options: talk to Marieta or myself OR right click the title of this post and click "save as" to download the latest edition of the Babbling Scribe Podcast!

That is all.

Something Old, Something New

2009-04-27T20:55:00.005-05:00

After a year of waiting I finally got to see this movie. Anvil: The Story of Anvil. If you are lucky you will get a chance to see this film. Relying most on buzz and their small scale distrubution this film is killing everywhere. I could keep talking but I think at this point you should probably just watch the trailer.

This trailer is cool but after watching this film I have come to the conclusion anyone who has been or is currently in a band should watch this. Being in a band is bigger than a romantic relationship (as it is so often compared). When you break up with someone you hard hurt (some destroyed) but chances are you'll find someone new. For many people when their band breaks up, that is it. Rockin on stage is a drug that can't be replaced. Sometimes you care if the crowd is into it but mostly you just want to rock. This film embodies that idea. These two guys are so addicted they don't listen to the hoards of people around them who say their dream is dead. The two main guys - Robb and Lips - have never and will never say die. Maybe that makes them sad to some but to people who will never hear the roar of the crowd as they run out on stage... we understand. Great slice of life.

Now the old. I rarely get out to see movies much anymore. Back in college I saw everything that looked cool. Now I wait for about 85% of flicks to come on DVD. Such is the case with Wanted. Can't say I missed much. The film is fun and action packed and I don't even care that the plot is nonexistent and absurb. No, what I care about is the source material. Wanted the comic is about a fraternity of Supervillians who run the world after banding together and killing all the superheros. Wanted the film... a fraternity of assassins who kill people based off fate. Why do movie studios demand to make films based on source material and then piss all over it. If they wanted to make this movie why didn't they just make it and save the title and characters for an actual Wanted film? Garbage.

One quick house keeping note: the map above all posts is a Google updated Swine Flu map. All the confirmed and suspected cases of swine flu from all around the world will be posted there. Let's watch and see if this is the end of the world. Map this time next week that map will be pin points all over the continental globe and we will see mass rioting and looting. Maybe it's time to start stockpiling molotov cocktails. Personally I agree with CNN... it's all twitters fault.

Little Peeps in Petaluma

2009-04-27T08:55:00.003-05:00

This weekend we almost overdosed on cuteness. Our adventure this Saturday was up to Petaluma to check out their yearly Butter & Eggs Day. It was really fun. We got up there just in time to see the "Cutest Little Chick in Town" contest. Cute is the appropriate word. Parents are given the opportunity to dress their 0-4 year old as a baby chick. Besides getting the opportunity to check out Petaluma, that contest was Marieta's only reason for seeing the festival.

I had to work at 5am Saturday morning so after standing under the hot sunday for a couple hours we split town after the parade. I was starting to fade, hard. We took a trip down the road to check out a cheese company, drove up to Santa Rosa to hit up a couple of wineries that Marieta liked, and then on the way home we stopped back in Petaluma to get a bite to eat. It was a pretty awesome day. Enjoy the video.

Videos Are Fun

2009-04-22T07:19:00.002-05:00

In the past two weeks I have posted close to 10 different videos on the web. Most of which no one outside of our families care about but I think it's pretty cool. Heck our Bring Your Own Big Wheel 2009 adventure has been viewed close to 100 times. That's pretty cool. Those random people probably didn't watch it to see Marieta and I do our thing but I don't care. Our videos aren't for them. One day we'll be 90 years old and be able to relive basically our whole lives based off whats posted on our family webpage. Freaking Delicious will even help us relive the places where we've eaten out (there's 10 episodes on there now! Check it out!)

We've been all over the place in the last month. Pescadero, Ano Nuevo, the big wheel dealie, running around the bay with my parents, and most recently we danced around a couple San Francisco parks. I know it's nothing terribly exciting... but there are some beautiful flowers. I'll leave you with that video. Peace out.

James Cameron Can't Direct

2009-04-21T10:38:00.002-05:00

That's a little too much... How about he can't direct actors. In case you don't know Mr. Cameron let's run down his keystone films: Terminator, Terminator 2, Aliens, The Abyss, True Lies, Titanic. Quite a list of critical & box office success. And outside of True lies, The Abyss and Terminator 2 some seriously sketchy acting.

Why am I bringing this up? One of my favorite websites, Firstshow.net ran down a big ole list of SyFy :P movies that hottly anticpated this year, and they said this about James Cameron

From Terminator to Aliens to The Abyss, he's brought us some of the greatest sci-fi movies of all-time, and he's ready to do it all over again.

The all over again line is talking about his 3D space adventure Avatar set to be released this December. It will most likely kick some serious ass but this garbage about Aliens being one of the greatest SyFy films of all-time needs to stop. When was the last time you watched that movie? There is so much terrible acting in it that it's practically unwatchable.

Try this on for size. Watch the first film Ridley Scott's Alien and then watch Aliens within 24 hours. There is absolutely no comparison. There is not a weak link in the entire production of Alien. Released in 1979 the production quality still holds up, the intense plot and acting have you sitting on the edge of your seat the whole film, and the freaking tag line is In space no one can hear you scream. As far as I'm concerned that is the be all and end all tag line.

Now Aliens doesn't have a bad plot. Returning to that planet makes sense. But the acting and "high octane" action scenes... dreadful. The characters in Alien never talk like anything other than what they are space explorers. Bill Paxton & Michael Biehn in Aliens... they are the epitome of terrible. This space crew feels like a 1980s crew of marines sent up into space to hollar catch phrases and fire off ridiculously huge weapons.

The Alien franchise had the sincere possibility of being something amazing. On par with the greatness of the first Godfather films or the original Star Wars movies but James Cameron Aliens changed the framework of the whole game. It's the reason Aliens 3 was so horrible. Studios are like sharks and when Aliens spilled the tasty drug of franchise blood they meddled with it. Diluting the concept of Aliens 3 so bad it killed the franchise. So bad infact that director David Fincher didn't want anything to do with Aliens 3.

Shoveling more dirt on Michael Biehn would be cruel and I don't think we need to recount the tragedy that is the acting in Titanic, outside of getting actors who can just feel what their characters need... James Cameron cannot direct actors at all.

When You Visit SF

2009-04-15T10:53:00.005-05:00

You should check out the Seward Street Slides. Not a tourist hot spot or anything but fun as can be.

The only way these babies could any cooler is if they were twice as long. My parents were up in NorCal for this past Easter weekend and since we had basically no plans I decided to drive us up into the Castro hills and check these babies out. It turned out to be a great decision considering we all had fun and it set up the rest of our Saturday. Want to see for yourself? go check out our website to see the whole thing, video style.

If you're too lazy for that. Let me give you a couple sweet pics from the whole weekend.

BYOBW 2009

2009-04-13T18:11:00.003-05:00

Easter in San Francisco, that means Bring Your Own Big Wheel. Last year I made a glorious debut and after a year of toe tapping Marieta finally got her shot. Enjoy the video.

(As of this videos posting it is foolishly 14 minutes long but I have replaced the source video and it should revert its normal length of 5 and a half minutes.)

My 103 Degree Sick Day

2009-04-08T06:08:00.004-05:00

Within seconds of landing in San Francisco Sunday I get a call from Marieta telling me she has a messed up foot and we need to go to the E.R. as soon as she lands (we flew separately because we bought our tickets a week apart). So I call in sick because she doesn't land till 10p, my shift would have started at 330a, and there was no way I would have gotten anything resembling a reasonable amount of sleep after visiting the hospital.

The good news was Marieta's foot wasn't broken, just had a fresh bruise that reacted poorly to swelling due to flying, the bad news: we didn't get home till after 2a and I was starting to feel extremely sick. After passing out I wake up at 4a and feel some serious internal pressure building at both ends. Without getting too graphic lets say I fought a nasty war and left the battlefield in tatters at 430a.

We didn't wake up till 130p. I would kept on sleeping but I had some business to take care of. After struggling to stay awake for two hours we succumbed to our urge to sleep and didn't wake up till 6p. so all together that's close to 15 hours of sleep.

I cannot remember feeling as bad as I felt that evening. Marieta started worrying that my burning up was a dangerous fever and so with her one good foot, and me deliriously stumbling around our apartment, we searched in vein for our thermometer. When it was no where to be found we had a dilemma; take some tylenol and hope my fever isn't too bad, or go buy a thermometer. Well I was pretty out of it but I knew that if my fever was like 104 I was in virus country, and would need to see a doctor, so I opted to buy a new thermometer.

So I got dressed and drove to the store feeling like a disgusting bag of sick. Got my goods and put them to good use on the drive home; 102.3 degrees. Not to deathbed bad. Popped a couple Tylenol and waited an hour. 103 degrees... hmm.... that shouldn't happen.

At this point it's 7p and I gotta make a judgement call. Assume I'll be all clear come 230a and go to work on Tuesday or call in sick and give myself another day to fully recouperate. Well Marieta was getting worried so I jumped in the tub and took a 10 minute shower just above chilly to plan out my next move. My fever moved back to 102 but I wasn't feeling much better. Made the call and planned on relaxing my Tuesday away.

From there nothing really happened other than 7up, crackers, and tv but man was that Sunday evening thru Monday evening stretch horrible. I've used sick days in the past for days I didn't feel well but it has been a long, long time since I seriously couldn't eat or even motivate myself to watch tv. That's right, I skipped the NCAA Nat'l Championship game. I just couldn't focus on anything. Doesn't appear I missed much but the idea I couldn't watch basketball should tell you something.

I have something else to reveal (my Monday midday business) but I need to talk with some important people about it first. So stay tuned. It's something you'll want to know.

Goats are in my future

2009-03-29T08:45:00.004-05:00

Yesterday changed my life. I see no way around it... I must have a small herd of goats.

Have you ever played with a baby goat? Trust me, they are probably the cutest (and most fun) animal out there. Marieta and I set out yesterday to see the baby elephant seals at Ana Nuevo yesterday and through our meandering around Pescadero those baby goats melted my heart. Marieta had to pry me away to sample the goat cheese. Those little goat kids were too cute.

Whenever Marieta and I move back to Iowa and someday buy a house... I'm getting like four baby goats. Marieta is allergic to Cats and Dogs so it's a struggle for her to be around them, but those goats and the llama seemed fine. One day I will be known as the guy in town who is always walking his goats. Oh yeah.

Networking Out of Control

2009-03-24T09:20:00.004-05:00

Facebook, Whrrl, BrightKite, Twitter, Plurk, 12seconds.tv, Orkut, and even Myspace. These are all social networks I am a part of. (I quit myspace like year ago and only rejoined so I could contact someone I had no other way of reaching). This is getting pretty ridiculous. Here is my status with all of these.

Whrrl: Joined and immediately forgot.
Brightkite: I would use it if I were every near anyone during a reasonable time of day.
Twitter: Joined, realized I don't care enough to post microblurbs about mundane details.
Plurk: Not sure whats going on there.
Orkut: I don't live in Brazil.
12seconds: Seems like a great idea to just be silly in front of a webcam.
Myspace: Ugly and I pretty much never go near it.
Facebook: Good way to keep in touch with anyone and post videos, pictures, and what not.

And technically:
Youtube: Good for garbage videos and quick posts.
Vimeo: The perfect site for posting video (atleast currently).
Viddler: Like the missing link between youtube and vimeo.
Wordpress: hosts The Boberg family page.
Blogger: Six years and still in love.

That is a lot of garbage. I am thinking about joining one network a day until I can't find anymore. I bet I could find 100. Pointless...

Bonehead & Ongoing Philmont Work

2009-03-18T06:57:00.003-05:00

Everywhere my mac goes, my external hard drive goes with it. Smart people edit video from an external drive. Those same people also don't leave their drive at home when they are planning on editing a bunch of footage over the course of the day. Well I guess I'm in the catagory of dumb people... I left my drive next to my printer. I'm really rollin on this Philmont video. I've cut up all the principle footage and I'm in the process of arranging it. Well I guess that is all gonna have to wait until after my nap today. Sucks...

On a related topic I have been watching other people's Philmont treks and just falling in love. Check out this picture slideshow trek from 1986:

If I have a son I wont push him into scouts but if he does go that route I really hope to go back to Philmont. Such a cool place.

In my Philmont reminicising I have been thinking about go old Troop 78. I started searching around the web and can't find any info on them. Troop 202 (the troop from across I-35) has a website, nothing for 78. If they still exist I doubt I know any of the kids or families involved today, but I want them to have a copy of our Philmont trek. I think some of things we did down there would inspire 78 scouts to backpack. Maybe I could have like a screening or something... I don't know. We're coming in at about 1 hour and 46 minutes for the feature material that's longer than the traditional scout meeting. My main goal is to atleast have a premier where all the guys from the trek watch it together (and maybe record like a commentary track from anyone interested). Some people may be too cool for scouts now but I will always miss it.

First Philmont Trailer

2009-03-11T13:27:00.004-05:00

I had this great plan on when I was gonna roll out my trailers for this thing and the first was gonna come on April Fools Day.

Philmont Trailer One from Patryck Boberg on Vimeo.

I have no patience. Enjoy. Hopefully I can holdoff on the rest until their planned released

UPDATE: THERE APPEARS TO BE AN INTERLACING ISSUE WITH THIS TRAILER... MUST HAVE BEEN AN UPLOAD ISSUE. MAYBE I'LL FIX IT LATER... MAYBE...

UPDATE THE UPDATE:!: REUPLOADED THE VIDEO AFTER MY NAP BUT STILL A FEW THINGS I'M NOT PLEASED WITH. VIMEO MUST HAVE COMPRESSED IT AWKWARDLY... OUT OF CHARACTER FOR THEM. OH WELL, ENJOY

Testing My Will

2009-03-10T06:58:00.007-05:00

I'm trying to get back into the swing of the working out everyday and it's things like this...

That make it really hard. If you're close to me you know how much I love junk food. Doughnuts, Ice Cream, Cake, little snacks, junk food, shakes, burgers, candy... oh man I have a problem. Whenever I've gotten my act together and been in good shape it was due to cutting this junk out of my life.

You know in Trainspotting where Renton gets busted and splits from the bar with his friends and family to get one last score of heroin, that's me. I admit it, I am an addict. Dabbling in tastiness is a death sentence. You know how people say you can't know what others are thinking? Well I think that also can be applied to taste. To you a doughnut maybe good but to me a tasty doughnut is heaven in sugar and cake form. I am Adam and frosting filled doughnuts are the apple.

So maybe one day I'll learn moderation but as it stands today my snacking and secret sweets are out of control. My cholesterol provides the proof. So I'm using that snacking time and hitting the gym instead. Everyday PTI I will be hitting the gym. Let's just hope I don't fall off the wagon into a land of sprinkled delights.

11 Years Later

2009-03-08T20:38:00.003-05:00

It's never too late. After 11 years and earlier cut destroyed in a computer crash circa 2003, Troop 78's Philmont adventure will finally set the light of day. Check back often for trailers and extended scenes. I hope you're as excited as I am.

For The Record Trailer

2009-03-04T18:18:00.003-06:00

So I compiled all the footage I have of eight miles out (and high jinx) and made a little documentary. Here's a little teaser. If you want to see it you're gonna have to visit http://stuntbunny.blogspot.com

The Donkeytoe BurgerFlippers

2009-02-26T15:26:00.003-06:00

After seeing the new Horseshoe Spatulas music video "Room 108," I got inspired:

(if you're reading this on facebook you wont see the video above).

Sure my video wasn't shot on a prosumer camera and doesn't have all the crazy effects Room 108 does, but I think it has it is loveable on a different level. Take a little inside look at the Spatulas. I've known their drummer Pratt since 1st grade, Mike since 7th, Hogan since 8th, and Jordan was the best man at my wedding. They have always been one of my favorite bands and just a great group of dudes. I shot the video for this back on New Years Eve 2006-7 and never did anything with it other than put it on a DVD for the band. Never considered making a music video. I think it turned out pretty well. Had I been thinking music video when I shot it I would have been more careful with what I shot when. I think it turned out pretty well.

Horseshoe Spatulas Music Video

2009-02-25T15:17:00.002-06:00

Been a fan (and friend) of these guys for like 11 years now. Good stuff.

15 Albums

2009-02-23T08:18:00.005-06:00

Another Facebook Survey...

"Think of 15 albums that had such a profound effect on you they changed your life. Dug into your soul. Music that brought you to life when you heard it. Royally affected you, kicked you in the wazzo, literally socked you in the gut, is what I mean. Then when you finish, tag 15 others (or more!). Make sure you copy and paste this part so they know the drill."

Ordered by when I heard them

1. The Beatles - The White Album

My mom used to play it all the time. I thought it was the Beatles greatest hits for the longest time.
2. Green Day - Dookie

Heard songs from it before but heard it all the way through at my buddy Josh Boyd's 6th grade birthday party and was blown away. Maybe the only album that truly changed my life.
3. Weezer - The Blue Album

In January of 6th grade Ian Erskin (sp?) moved to Iowa and was in my 6th grade class. At lunch one day he gave me a tape with the blue album on it. At this time I used to listen to music every night as I went to sleep. It was impossible for me to fall asleep while listening to the Blue Album. I had to hear it through every night.
3. Weezer - Pinkerton

Between 6th and 8th grade there was nothing that really threw me against the wall and had its way with me. I still remember driving in the car with my mom listening to the radio and someone on 107.5 talking about Pinkerton's release. I got really excited. Its the only album I got the day it was released. I actually had no idea they were broken up until they got back together. Such an awesome record. Someone needs to explain to me how it was panned upon its release. So great.

4. Foo Fighters - The Colour and The Shape

After seeing the Monkey Wrench video I had to have this album. The first rock album that truly rocked me. Dave Grohl is my hero for this album, as time passes its hard to decide between this and the self-titled but this one turned me on and rocks me front to back.
5. Local H - As Good As Dead

I discovered the depth of this album while driving around and not realizing the album had gone past the tracks I listened to normally. Thank goodness it did. The second half of this album blows away this bands only hit song.

6. The Presidents of The United States of America - II

Still one of my favorite bands and one of the few that makes me want to dance. This album has been in my cd visor for as long as I've had a drivers license. I love their whole catalog and they have other songs that are great but I love this album. I've always want to be in a band that was completely goofy yet still rockin. That's what I want to do next. Maybe if I move back to Iowa that will be my next musical move.

7. Goldfinger - Goldfinger

It took a long while before I really started my descent into the underground of punk and ska but this album and the next really pushed me over the edge.

8. Reel Big Fish - Turn The Radio Off

I loved this album so much that I started my own Ska band. I didn't work really hard at writing songs so we really just added horns to old songs but it was so much fun. I still pick up anything they put out. Aaron Barrett is a rock god as far as I'm concerned.
9. Green Day - Nimrod

I had no idea Green Day had gone M.I.A. because I still listened to Dookie on a weekly basis but Nimrod really changed my opinion of what could go into a punk song. Before this my own song writing was similar to the 3 chord punk format. After Nimrod I really started branching out. It's funny how this band maturation mirrored my own. This album is in my top five of all time and if I ever record an album in a professional studio I plan on using it as something for my album to mirror for production value.

10. Less Than Jake - Losing Streak

I bought this album on a whim. I overheard someone I trusted musically mention it and picked it up at a music store in Chicago without ever hearing a song. Best leap of faith (not sure nine bucks qualifies but eh...) I ever took. Front to back this Ska punk album meant business. Teamed with RBF I was a officially a third-wave ska freak. Their latest albums have been sad attempts at main stream success but the Losing Streak era was absolutely what I needed and are still a huge part of my car trip rotation.
11. Jimmy Eat World - Clarity

When I picked this album up I popped it into my CD player on the ride home from Best Buy and was initially bored. It wasn't until my junior year of high school when I was digging through my mountain of CDs and gave it another shot. I don't think they'll ever put out another album that comes close to this albums songwriting. I remember giving it to friends and it slowly creeping out to a ton of people who became instant fans.
12. Dashboard Confessional - Swiss Army Romance

Saying your a fan of Dashboard now is close to being a fan of Hootie and the Blowfish but I don't care. Their first two albums really transitioned my music sensibilities from mainstream rock and pop punk to up-and-comers. It's hard for me to listen to their new stuff and not feel like its composed and contrived whereas Swiss Army just feels born as a whole. Almost a concept album about having a broken heart.

13. Alkaline Trio - From Here to Infirmity

They have much better albums but this album was the gateway. There are such driving beats on this album that it shook the pop sensibility in me. I immediately picked up their entire catalog at the time and loved everything I heard.
14. RX Bandits - Progress

This album is a rock force. They picked a single that doomed their commercial success but the songwriting is almost like Prog Ska. And their live show... oh man I love this band.
15. Dismemberment Plan - Emergency and I

My freshman year at college my good buddy Matt Denner dragged me to Grinnell to see a free concert. I'm so glad I went. I was mildly aware of the Plan but after seeing them live I was obsessed. Still the best live show I have ever seen. I would give anything to see them one more time (they're broken up). When they broke up their website said they would reform for worthy causes and when I saw the lead singer perform solo I floated the idea of playing my wedding... he was actually down with the idea. Their albums don't do them justice but I love turning this thing on and almost everyone I'm riding with going "what the hell are we listening to?"

There have been other albums I loved but these changed me. I went from being another dorky kid to a musician, a songwriter, a festival going music vulture. Sure they all branch from rock n roll but thats where I come from. Good stuff.

George Lucas Has A Fan Club

2009-02-13T15:32:00.002-06:00

Or I guess it's an Anti-Fan club. Check out the trailer for this documentary: The People vs. George Lucas.

The idea of people loving you so much they hate you kind of reminds me of the Mr. Belvedere (Brocktoon...) skit on SNL. But Mr. Lucas has been pretty creatively lax in over the last 10-15 years.

The Boberg's And The Recession

2009-02-04T06:48:00.004-06:00

Incase you missed it on Facebook:

Yes that is pretty funny but in reality the Boberg's could be real victims of the recession. California has the horrible privilege of being one of the few states where the state legislature needs 2/3s approval for a state budget to pass. In the past the state has gone months past the deadline for a finalized budget and lived to tell the tale. This year is not one of those times. California is officially out of cash and floating bills with "IOU's." Instead of having any legislation to put real pressure (say no pay till budget issues are resolved or fines of each days pay budget issues are resolved) on our state senators California pushes its problems to the people on the frontlines. Governor Schwarzenegger is mandating that state employees take two days off a month without pay to help make ends meet.

Now if Marieta worked for a hospital this wouldn't be a big deal, but that's not the case, and since she is the main breadwinner in our family... we're less than pleased with the state. This is the first time I have ever really felt the pinch of local politics and it's not pleasant. Moving to California has been great overall but if this is the reality now we seriously have to look at leaving... California dreamin' may be dead.

Rock Left On The Shelf

2009-01-30T17:44:00.002-06:00

Okay buddies. Here they are. If you want to hear or download the recordings Eight Miles Out never finished just click on this link. 7 songs. Some are missing the vocals and some are missing lead guitar parts. (I'll let you make up your own lyrics and sing along. If you need a little guidance just pretend all of our songs were about playing four square.) In case you're wondering why we never finished these well there are several reasons A) We got lazy B) My 8 track freaked out and wouldn't eject any discs C) Chris studied abroad the semester after we started recording, and it's pretty well known he was the major show booker/motivator in the group.

One last picture for old times sake. I'll try not to talk about 8MO until I finish the video project I'm working on. Later buddy boys.

25 Random Pieces of P@

2009-01-29T22:30:00.005-06:00

I have succumb to the facebook virus known as 25 random things about me. Here's the situation:

1) I came extremely close to dying when I was born.
2) I was a bit of a clepto as a child.
3) My sixth grade music teacher told me I had absolutely no musical ability (she was half right).
4) I attempted to wear shorts thru my 7th grade winter (failed when I was threatened with medical bills).
5) I wore nothing but shirts advertising food products for the first quarter of 8th grade.
6) In 8th grade sex education my science teacher was comparing the shape of different female sexual organs to different fruit and I pretty much tuned him out. I eventually heard him say that the female uterus is shaped like a pear, in my malaise I replied "Does it taste like a pear?" Let's say that my 8th grade sex ed ended at that exact moment with a weeks worth of sitting in the hall.
7) When I was a child I got a multitrack recorder as a present (the greatest present I ever received), saddly it lasted two days as our family dog chewed it up to the point that it was thrown away.
8) Before any of us could play any musical instruments my closest friends and I started a fictional band in 6th grade called Swirl.
9) One mildly cold afternoon in 6th grade my friends Eric Wagner, Luke Bonner, and I decided to go swimming with all our clothes on (save the socks and shoes). After we realized how stupid of an idea it was we got out and decided it was time to go home. Since I didn't want to get my socks and shoes wet I decided to put my socks on my hands and my hands in my shoes, leaving me zero ability to steer my bike. Also, with my bare feet exposed I draped them below my metal spikey pedals. So I set off with no appendages holding on to my bike besides my wrists and my rump... I went about five feet before I crashed and gashed a giant hole into my arm. So I am freaking out, bleeding bad, and sopping wet. My first move; tie my dry sock around my arm to apply pressure to the wound and call my mom to take me to the hospital. 16 stitches later and a lot of freaking out I have a crazy scar on my right arm.
10) My favorite food is chicken fingers.
11) My favorite color is Forest Green.
12) When I was a kid I was once on an undefeated little league baseball team and an undefeated soccer team.
13) I always wanted to be the goalie on my soccer team but I ran so fast I was always a forward. One day my coach caved and let me tend the goal. Now my team was so good that the ball never came close to the goal so I got bored. Fast. Soon enough I'm playing with the net. Putting my arms through it. Hanging from it. So with no action coming my way I start putting my legs and arms through it and let my whole body suspend from the net. About two seconds after I start hanging from the net the ball starts coming my way. Of course I freak out and start writhing in the net. Just as I get free someone on my team steals the ball and kicks it out of bounds. Time is called, I get yanked, and sat the rest of the game out. I never played goalie again. : (
14) I have seen every episode of the show Friends. (thanks to my beautiful wife)
15) I have a nutcracker collection.
16) I try to carry my video camera with me at all times.
17) I once met God in a Chicago area book store. Some random dude came up to me and said "hey Pat, how's it going?" I said good and wondered who in the world that dude was. I ran after him like a second after he turned the corner. He was vanished. So I figure that was God just checking in.
18) I hate Olives and while watching the 2004 Olympics I mistook some greek olives for grapes and popping them in my mouth without getting a good look. I nearly hurled all over the room.
19) I told my wife on our first date "YOU'RE STINKING UP THE CAR! . . . in a good way : )" she was wearing a tasty perfume.
20) I was beat up on two seperate occasions as a child.
21) Another time I was nearly beat up by two dudes while building a tree fort in the woods. When they made their initial attack I freaked out and swung my hammer at them (a warning shot) well it kind of connected with one of the head of one of them. They ran off immediately. Kind of cool, but I'm still pretty guilty for striking someone with a nearly deadly object.
22) I have moved once a year for the last 9 years.
23) While hiking in colorado some friends and I officially named a mountain. Yakamakai. Named after a time I couldn't remember what kayaks were called and said yakamakai instead. 23a) I'm an idiot.
24) I once proved to a college class I could put my feet behind my head. (I have since gained weight and lost the ability. I plan on regaining that talent.)
25) The first concert I ever attended was the Rolling Stones on their VooDoo Lounge tour.

What Once Was And Could Be

2009-01-26T06:20:00.003-06:00

It makes me sad to say I will be one of those guys who can only tell his kids that he used to rock and they wont (most likely that is) experience it first hand. The picture above was taken in Burt, Iowa back in 2003. The "Hey Day" of Eight Miles Out. This past week has kind of been a rock n roll renaissance; dug out those lost to the winds 8MO demos, mixed down the last recordings I ever did for another group (if you care to listen check this out), and started work on a collective DVD of pieces from every show we got on tape. That DVD is gonna take a lot of work and will probably only be appreciated by three people and eventually their descendents but... who cares. When you want to relive your rock filled days it's easier to do if it is all wrapped up in one neat little package.

Will I ever get my stage legs back? Good question. If I do I doubt it will be for anything more than fun and a few good laughs. In the mean time my musical goal are to set up all my gear (Guitars, Keyboards, Recording equipment, Mic-ed Drumset, PA) in one room... whenever I can find the space. I'm guessing that wont be a possibility until we move out of California, and who knows when that will be. Keep the dream basement alive!

How Do You Choreograph This?

2009-01-25T10:12:00.001-06:00

Some things are so awesome they deserve their own post. Explain this to me:

Lapadicalous

2009-01-19T09:48:00.005-06:00

This picture was taken on New Years Eve 1999 at the first show of Eight Miles Out (then called High Jinx). Kind of funny how much time has past since that day. I still remember our setlist. Chris' Song "Vegas," my tune "SubDude," "Josie" by Blink 182, "Two Princes" by Spin Doctors and I think (could be wrong) we played "Chick Magnet," by MXPX. It was pretty awesome... kind of. Our only practice occured the night before, Chris had his wisdom teeth taken out four days earlier and was nursing a broken foot, I lost my voice from jamming out "Feel Like Making Love" for a hour and a half the night before, and to top it off Andrew, our drummer at the time, had the flu and was seriously jetlagged having returned from Poland only two days before the show.

I have memory of us being pretty terrible that night but you know what? It was awesome. Chris and my musical bromance had been brewing for a few years (our previous ska group "Preshrunk" featured me as guitarist/lead singer and Chris on the saxophone as leader of the horn section), but High Jinx was a dream we had been working on for a couple years.

Five years, Four drummers, a line up shake up, a slew of shows in front of close to no one, and recordings of every piece of junk we ever wrote. The only thing I would trade it for was the opportunity to be a one hit wonder. Why am I rehashing this all? Because of something historic. Feeling an itch this weekend I went through all of my Minidiscs, DAT tapes, and zip discs looking for old recordings I did with every group I was a part of.

I knew what most of this media held but didn't expect to harvest it all because my 8 track died years ago and I figured the mini disc would be toast. Turns out, my 8 track didn't die. It was just really stubborn. So after years of anguish I can finally listen to 6 of the last 7 songs Eight Miles Out ever recorded. There would have been 10 recordings but Alex pooped out after I beat him with a whip for 4 hours to get the drums down. Oh well, 6 songs is better than nothing. Give me some time and I'll post them up here for all to cherish.

In the mean time. Enjoy an even older relic from days gone by... Ladies and Gentlemen: GID.

Taking Chance

2008-12-30T19:46:00.002-06:00

If you can't tell I'm a big movie fan. Sadly I don't make enough money to overindulge in my addiction but I try hard to see what I can. I love to follow movie festivals and would one day love to attend the SXSW movie festival in Texas and the Sundance (and across the street SlamDance). So what am I driving at? Taking Chance.

I follow firstshowing.net all the time and they recently unveiled a trailer for this flick about a real life Iraq war hero, Chance Phelps, who died trying to save his crew while they were evacuated under fire. This movie carries a lot of promise. If this story carries little message about the right and wrong of the war and truly carries more of a message about soldiers and the reverence they deserve than... I think this film could be huge.

Click here to watch the trailer or here to see the Jim Lehrer piece about Chance Phelps taped four years ago.

Magnified Plaid

2008-12-07T16:31:00.004-06:00

Better known as MxPx. I love this song. I used to love this group until they completely took a dive off credibility and quality diving board. I recently popped Slowly Going the Way... and Life in General in my cd player. Completely awesome stuff.

It's been a pretty relaxed weekend; Finished up the registry shopping, saw a couple flicks (Step Brothers [completely ridiculous] and P.S. I Love You [Marieta cried through the whole thing), and today I'm taking care of my sick wife. I wish I had more to share... (go bears).

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-30T12:48:00.004-06:00

It's been a relaxing Thanksgiving. A lot of quality time spent with the fam. Marieta made a ton of delicious food, I made an awesome (aren't I modest) Pear-Apple-Cranberry Pie (with a cool top design). Let me just show you the pics.

(click on the slideshow to see the pictures fullsize)

Walk Over The Golden Gate from Pat Boberg on Vimeo.

A Not So Relaxing Holiday

2008-11-26T06:06:00.003-06:00

A couple years ago Marieta and I invited both of our families to Chicago for a big ole Thanksgiving dinner. It was massive. Like a 20 lbs bird and probably close to a dozen, if not more, sides. I would put it on Marieta loving to cook but I am not sure that is correct. I think I suggested the whole both families idea and she just went along with the idea. Last year we went lofi and just drove down to L.A. for thanksgiving with my family. This year? we're taking the beast by the horns, again.

This time there are only five of us, and the bird is considerably smaller, but Marieta still wants to make it special. New side dishes, two pies (I'm making a pear and apple pie), and this time everyone gets to stay at our apartment! Hooray! I'll post some pictures to let you in on the Turkey Day goodness. Rock n Roll.

Take a Peak For Yourself

2008-11-18T05:52:00.003-06:00

This wedding website is pretty much maxed out for wedding materials now. I don't know what else could be put on the site now. You can watch the whole thing from Proposal to the Vows. I love it. This is the what differeniates the 21st from the 20th century. 10 or 20 years ago if you missed something (wedding, party, birth, concert) you gotta hope someone taped it and you know them or their friend to get a look. Now all you need is a high speed internet connection and 10 spare minutes.

I have edited every piece of content down to its feature presentation form and our wedding DVD is coming in at two discs and around 3 and a half hours of viewable material. Is that insane or what? I think doing this thing myself was possibly the greatest idea I could ever come up with. That's it for now peeps. It is 4am, 52 degrees, and I gots work to do. Peace.

Celebrating The Election Via Youtube

2008-11-07T10:37:00.003-06:00

Hooray for Tuesday. I wont go in depth any further except to say very pleased with Barack and extremely forlorned with the passage of Prop 8 out here. I guess once again the Supreme Court is gonna have to push change upon the masses (see Brown vs. Board, Roe vs. Wade... the list never ends).

So Youtube! This thing keeps getting better and better. It's not nearly as awesome as Vimeo (you gotta love a video player that has no framing or visible controls) They just changed the viewer to add close captions on other site and what not but what I'm really digging is the ability to search it on any site that has an embedded player. I think this feature has been around for a while but I just got turned onto it. So today I'm searching Presidential musical performances and saw Bill Clinton doing the sax thing. Pretty sweet. Somehow I got to this:

Good Day to you and yours.

Everything You Need To VOTE

2008-10-30T11:36:00.003-05:00

After moving to El Cerrito I recently realized I had zero idea where my polling location was. Turns out it is about 100 yards from my door. How did I find out that was my spot? DeclareYourself.com. No I didn't magically stumble upon that site. A guy named Steven Spielberg put a video online telling people to vote and the video has built in time for you to open a second browser and check out their site. Here take a look.

Pretty cool stuff. I can't guarentee but just seeing those stars I'm pretty sure there varying opinions on the political viewpoints in that piece. Anyways, DeclareYourself.com gives you any and all info you want to know. I found my polling place, visited my county registrar website, and printed off a sample ballot. You know what the best part about this is? Now I can check out, by myself, what the story is on all these ballot measures and third party candidates. Yes I'm going Obama for President but with congressional seats and state senate I owe those people some time. I'm not voting straight party line. Congressional stalwarts are whats wrong with our political system and if a third party candidate appears to jive with my beliefs I may just go the road less traveled...

Now for something completely different...

CBS 5 held an annual bake sale yesterday for a food bank. As I was on my way to hit up the vending machine (I didn't get a chance to eat lunch with the assignment I was shadowing) I crossed the bakesales path. Their thing is this food bank can buy $7 worth of eats for every $1 donated. That's cool with me so I coughed up 2 bucks for a tasty oatmeal cranberry cookie. Well today the left overs are down in the newsroom with a jar for donations.

So I've let you know more than once that I don't make much money, but you know at least I have a job and can afford to have a tasty treat every now and again. So I decide to cough up a five and take a couple treats. I go back to my desk and start noshing when I realize that donating doesn't seem to be very cool. Now I'm not snooping, it just happens that this is my vantage point:As it turns out there are only a few bills in there and over 10 people have taken something (some have come back for seconds). That's sad man. I am making the least amount of money in here (minus the interns) and I have donated twice to this cause. If you want a brownie so badly maybe you could dig through your pockets and cough up a couple quarters at least.

Continue the Career Climb

2008-10-30T07:03:00.004-05:00

When you lose a job (one of three in my case) you have a couple of options: sit at home and cry about it or reevaluate your efforts to move your career ambitions along. Well I spent one day at home not working and I decided I hate that. I don't make much money and spending a weekday on my couch when I want to work sucked so I wrote some emails, made some calls, and because of that I have spent more time at cbs over the last week than anywhere else. Picked up my photog training, started to shadow the sports guys, and picking up any open shift I can downstairs at KCBS.

Without realizing it the first night I go in to shadow a sports producer there is pretty much zero sports going on; the worlds series was delayed and no football. Thankfully there was a San Jose Sharks game and the NBA kicked off (albeit no Warriors game). Walking in I was expecting it to be pretty slow, but it turns out the sports department has a way of turning slow times into fun times. Here's what I'm talking about.

Maybe you heard about Condi Rice possibly coming to work for the 49ers in a couple months? Well Dennis (the sports anchor) took that and ran with it. He wrote a pretty funny piece turning the possibility of Rice coming to town into a 49er soap opera. If you're interested in the slapstick silliness that occurred here's the piece.

I had an awesome time working with these guys. The time flew bye, we got to watch basketball, edit with final cut pro, joke a lot, and everybody just seemed to enjoy their job. That's what I want. I don't dislike the news department but if I don't think I could maintain my sanity while rewriting the same stories every week. If I keep going down the news path it's gotta be as a photog because they get out of the office, get to edit (which I really enjoy), and follow a different story everyday. Beyond any of that producer trainer and photog training will really help diversify my skillset. So now that I've bored you with my life... How are you doing?

A Peak Into My Weakend

2008-10-27T06:52:00.005-05:00

As Metallica once said... the memory remains. Here's a taste of Marieta and I playing host to our good friends, Brian and Denise Mercury. They swooped into town Thursday evening and danced around the bay with us. Napa, the Golden Gate, Ferry Building Farmers Market, The Golden Gate Park... all the usual haunts.

Nothing too exciting to tell you about any of that. I will let you know how dumb we were to believe the weather channel. Do not go into San Francisco expect nice weather ever. Always plan for the cold because at a moments notice you could find yourself deep in the fog with your wife wearing a skirt in 50 degree weather. Not too nice. Okay, let's do this thing. I hope your week goes well.

One of The Faithful

2008-10-26T12:13:00.003-05:00

I don't know what brought me to this page or how I searched it out last night but check out this story; a Fresno Priest recently came out to his congregation during a homily. That takes some serious guts. With a story of this magnitude you gotta believe that they also did a follow up piece. I would go in depth more on my thoughts but I gotta run to the city and pick some peeps up. Oh and maybe the best part about this all. Father Farrow has a blog. Peace!

Surprisingly... A Good Time

2008-10-23T06:49:00.003-05:00

Remember when we lived in Chicago and I was working to open a studio with a dude named Charlie? The plan was to open a recording studio/videography suite. I quickly fell out of love with the deal because Charlie started expecting things from me that I didn't really want to do, i.e. wedding videography. At the time I thought it was to filmmaking what prostitution is to love making. Well I'm kind of rethinking all that...

This is a quick snapshot of the DVD I put together for Marieta's good friend Sarah Dutton. She got married back in May and I offered a couple weeks before to video it for her. She had no one doing it professionally so she pretty much said why not. Now I'm not a graphical design artist so the case and DVD label are pretty elementary (and as far as I'm concerned... overrated anyways) but in the end I'm pretty proud of this puppy. There is close to two hours of content and even though it wasn't something I was super excited to do at the time, it was quite a bit of fun to put together.

Next on the to do list is our wedding. I didn't have as big a hand in the actual filming of the event but with some good cut and pasting I think it will end up looking pretty nice. Maybe... just maybe... I should rethink this whole wedding videography thing. It's a field that is ridiculously overpriced and filled with demand. I had a lot of fun shooting/editing it so hmm.... Maybe...

Humpday Hello

2008-10-22T05:46:00.004-05:00

Take a looksy at how the Boberg's (class of '78 & '08) teamed up to enjoy the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival. T'was a great time. Ate some pumpkin, bought a couple pumpkins, saw a crude juggling act... you know, livin' and lovin'.

In other news things have been a big ball of fun; Hertz pushed me out the door, I got a haircut at the same time an old asian woman decided to nearly bite the big one, I finally cracked open my Wii Fit and it is kicking my ass (birthday present from Marieta), and I'm working on shadowing some of the sports producers at the KPIX to see if I can get a foot in that door. Life is rolling along. It does suck a bit to only be 2/3 employed but you know that's life, and hopefully this is just the karmic nudge I need to stop messing around with that kind of B.S.

So maybe I'll have some other newsicle pieces for you later, but for now take a gander at the old woman who nearly bought the farm at Supercuts.

Great Pumpkin Weigh Off

2008-10-14T13:50:00.003-05:00

So for work I was sent down to Half Moon Bay yesterday to cover the Half Moon Bay Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off. The even was pretty sweet, doing my job was not... the camera I got from work was different than the normal one I work with and it had no juice so I shot everything with my camera and used the work one whenever it got enough juice to operate.

I shot all interviews twice so I can could use them for work and I walked around a majority of the time holding two cameras. People probably though i was crazy. Here's what came out on my camera. Stupidly I toggled back and forth between 16:9 and 4:3. I think it worked out pretty well in the edit. If you like it go and give me a vote at current and maybe it will amke the air. Peace!

Monday Will Blow Your Mind

2008-10-10T15:56:00.006-05:00

I don't want to overstate anything here but this coming Monday (10/13/2008) may be the absolute high-water mark of my life thus far. Why such a grand statement? Because Monday kicks off the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival with a pumpkin weighing competition and yours truly will be there webcasting it for the masses on CBS5.com. Now I know that in itself is nothing great, I mean, I've done the webcasting thing for events that are close to that cool but this time... oh buddy! My webcast will be used in the 6am news cast AND! I get to interview two people.

Okay so people do interviews for the news all the time but dudes, I need you to see the forest through the trees here. Is there anything more fun in life than ridiculous events like this? I would be hard-pressed to top it. Now add on top of that that I will be giving every buddy out there a look into the fantistical world of gigantic legumes!

The two people, who I am extremely excited to interview? The defending champion who obliterated the Half Moon Bay record by nearly 300-pounds in 2007 with his leviathan 1,524-pound Atlantic Giant and "Farmer John" Muller (won the San Mateo County division in 2007 with his 814-pound beauty) and his wife (another weigh-off entrant) who will be cutting their pumpkins from the vine that morning. If this doesn't have web Emmy written all over it...

So Monday if you are awake at 9et/6pt check out cbs5.com and watch as I help bring the masses to an event unlike any other!

My Dream Car

2008-10-08T10:47:00.006-05:00

My Uncle Steve rebuilt a 1972 (maybe 74) Dodge Challenger, this black beastly super cool muscle car, and I love it. If I ever have the space or means to rebuild a car I want it to be the one you see above; a 1972 Lamborghini Espada. Now you may be think it is the ugliest thing you have ever seen but I'm sorry this car to me just seems so visually counter to everything Lamborghini is today that I can't get enough of it.

The pictures you see are from a Espada that I found for sale online. To see the sexy beast I saw check out this video.

And even though I don't think it is as cool... around the corner from my dream car was the second fastest car in the world. Take a look at the Koenigsegg Model CCX. If you have 1.7 Million bucks it's yours.

THAT is a Debate?

2008-10-08T06:12:00.004-05:00

Why Do these debates inspire the exact opposite of their intentions? I am really interested in the ideas in the election and presidential politics in general but these debates... talk about a kill joy. How can a voter who is sitting on the fence use these marathon games of rhetorical dodgeball to make a decision. Every year candidates fear the debates because strong stances and true debating gets looked upon as mean and poorly put together; so what do they do? They tap dance on the tight rope of nat'l issues for an hour and half trying not to be too impolite to their opponent. These fools might as well be wearing bathing suits and juggling plates because the pundits and the analysts don't give a crap about the message, only the delivery.

Nothing sounds more stale and bogus than when a person running for political office calls the current election the most important of our lives. No shit; A) Previous elections have long since passed so their impact is not an issue and B) who knows what future elections will bring upon us because they aren't here right now. There is just something that rings foul and patronizing about driving up fears in apathy towards voting. (follow me there?)

If you really want to get any thing out of these "debates" follow this: in their next head to head listen to both candidates and if they take a few sentences to address the topic of a question that is the candidate showing their fear in making a stance they know they don't hold the upper hand in or they aren't sure they can make a difference. BOTH OF THESE FOOLS DO IT. It's like watching a football game with zero highlights that ends in a tie. Three downs and punt. Three downs and punt. Three downs and punt. Last night I found myself tossing on my couch pleading with either candidate to do something other than punt.

If we're to believe the polls it appears the American people are finally having the primal reaction of looking where they're at, seeing who has been in power for the last decade, and saying "you've had how long to make my life better? Time to give these other guys a chance." Forget the debates, forget the stances on foreign policy, and screw the details because we all know he specifics are the first thing to go after inauguration day. Who got us to where we are today and what possible reason is there to give them a chance to fix it?

Meg Has Flown the Coup

2008-10-01T06:27:00.005-05:00

This past May my sister Meg graduated college and for the next nine months or so, she'll be teaching in Spain. What she is teaching... I have no idea. The cool part about her trip is that we all beat her over the head enough that she agreed to blog about the whole thing.

Her posts are exceptionally written (no typos or pointless rambling like yours truly), and she finally got around to posting some pictures. Here's a taste.

	Meg's the one on the right, the chick on the left is her roommate (I have brilliantly deduced.
She has a ton of these pictures on facebook but if you want the link you're gonna have to visit her blog; Meg the Expat.

Today Is Not My Day

2008-09-30T09:28:00.004-05:00

So I'm starting to perk up a bit, shaking off the malaise of waking up at 2:30am, when I suddenly remember that I forgot to move my car at 4am to the all day free parking on Sansome... that sucks.

Today is not gonna be my day; wake up at 2:30, I'm the only P.A. here until 4:15 because I seem to be the only one who read the email about our shift being pushed back to 3:30, our apartment is being fogged for bugs around noon so I can't get into it until after 5p; ergo, I don't get to take a tasty nap in my bed... it'll have to be in my car...

So is the day, now's let talk about the week. First off, you wouldn't think it hard to switch from waking up at 3a to 230a but dude, it is hard. I am all kinds of tired. I am gonna have to take a nap in my car on my break because I can barely keep it together. I gotta rethink my sleep schedule this weekend so I don't have to deal with this next week.

Second, taking off a week (and two days) for our wedding has destroyed my funds for this month. I'm brrrrr-oke. The brokest I've ever been. So broke I am probably gonna have to borrow some quarters to plug the meter today. And hey guess what! Tomorrow is rent day, hooray!

Last, I will mostly like get laid off from my job at Hertz on Thursday... the city manager and I have talked about it twice and I was told to "think about it" pertaining to resigning or taking early retirement (turns out I qualify after two years of indentured servitude). Not exactly sure how to handle that one. I'm pretty sure he's gonna be there as soon as I roll in the door Thursday. I don't know what all the early retirement does other than I sign something saying I can't work there again and I get some sort of settlement (resigning means I could possible comeback on staff if I could committ to full time).

Not my day, not my week.

Return of the LumberJack

2008-09-27T13:23:00.004-05:00

Hells ye-uh. The wedding has past and the beard is back. No reason to be clean shaven anymore! Might as well get prepared for the frosty SF winters...

Hope you have a nice weekend planned, we have a house warming party to attend and Marieta is going to bring these cupcakes..

Yum. Savory Basil Pesto Cupcakes. Finally some of these cookbooks are gonna come in handy. OKAY! Maybe your days be merry and bright. Peace.