March 2007 Archives

John Converse would travel home for a week to see his family, and in that short trip he would make the time to see his friends. That time is this Saturday through Sunday. John will be coming into SB in the early afternoon tomorrow, at which point we will go to a bar and watch big strong college men play basketball in the Final Four. Saturday night: you all know what happens, we drop bombs.

Now, to the most important part. It has been a while since John has been able to join us at the table for a meeting, and at his request, we will be holding an impromtu meeting early Sunday morning. Now I know this is short notice, but bottom line is John is only here for a week and then he's gone, out of our lives again. For all that are able, I'll see you this weekend.

As many of you may have heard, I have been accepted to the PhD program at UCLA in Geography.  I recieved official confirmation this morning, and I didn't want to make any announcments before I had a letter in hand. So... I'm going back to school next fall.  The last remaining hurdle is a financial one, so we'll see how high I can jump and if I get any help from the great state of California.  Cross your fingers.  But don't worry, I'll still be availble for any questions regarding lasers and or laser maps from now into the future, hopefully moreso. 

I can also legitimately rep UCLA basketball for their game versus Flordia on Saturday. Go Bruins!!  I'd like to thank all of my brothers for their support. I love you all.  -Fricker

This is Part 1 of our homage to six-time Mr. Universe Champion Arnold Schwarzenegger. Whether you're a fan of his acting, his posing, or his governing, we think you'll enjoy this video. Let us know what you think at arnoldvideo@WeDoItEveryMonth.com. And look out for Parts 2 and 3 coming soon.

Not to overshadow the Arnold Mix video, but this is too good to pass up, and I made sure to backdate this post so as to not knock them from the top of the page.  Anyone who has seen the Family Guy where Stewie parodies Shatner's Rocketman performance should see this, and then head over to LAist for Chris Eliot's parody on Letterman as well.  I realized the other night that I can finally watch Family Guy again, as I stopped finding it funny after Southpark ripped it last year.

I discovered some more news today about "The Dark Knight;" the highy anticipated sequel to "Batman Begins."   These will be your villans: Heath Ledger as The Joker and Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two-Face.  Maggie Gyllenhall has confirmed that she will be taking over the role of Rachel Daws, formerlly played by Katie Holmes.  For daily updates on casting for The Dark Knight, check out www.batman-on-film.com.  I am a huge nerd.

Our Hero, Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe is to make his directorial debut with a film about a gang of Australian surfers.  Bra Boys will be based on a real-life, Sydney-based gang of the same name.  Based in the Sydney district of Maroubra, the Bra Boys are a tattooed and often violent gang, renowned for their anti-authoritarian, anti-social behavior.   The Bra Boys were founded by the brothers Atherton, the older of whom is on trial for murder.  The younger brother Koby is a professional surfing known for his agressive attitude and tendency to beat ass.  It is not known whether Crowe will appear in the film, but I know I'll be there to find out. 

Boys, Boys, Boys....where to begin.  I miss the hell out of you all.  Although I would not trade what I'm doing to save Baez's life, I do at times feel a sense of despair when I view upon all of the momentous occasions that are celebrated without me.  Know that I am there in SPIRIT.  Know that I am doing my best to make the world aware of our organization through dignity, integrity, and most importantly through Adolphus.  I ask this of you.  At your next gathering raise your glasses in a toast for your Minister Abroad and say, "To Spirits, our Friend, our Minister and our Brother."  And get really really drunk after that.

What's up fellas.. I just got an email from Goldenvoice, and you all are in for a treat.  On Saturday, July 21, Daft Punk will be rocking the LA Sports Arena and I'll be sitting here in fucking PA wishing I was with all of you who choose to go.  Anyways, the internet presale starts tomorrow.. Thursday, March 22 at 10AM (Pacific time) and ends Friday, March 23 at 10PM (Pacific time).  The password for the internet presale is: ROBOTS

Good Flapjack!

Sometimes a baby's laugh is all you need to hear...

In an attempt to get more viewers than Bernie and Hank, Jeopardy's website is hyping tonight's episode as a first ever in the history of the show.  While this first is probably a three-way tie, the underwhelming possibilites are endless.  I like the show, but its declining ratings aren't a good sign.  Look for them to mix things up, more money per row,  over the next few years, they're contract with most stations will be up for renewal in 2010 - 2011, when we are all almost 30...

Here are ten 3D images taken from the LiDAR signature from an airborne laser scanner flown over our beloved UCSB. There’s a bit of noise in these models and it’s not like looking at an image, so interpret wisely. It seems the going rate is 2 bottles of ale to the winner. First person to comment with the correct answers (or the most correct answers) gets two beers and the respect of their peers:

There are 10 Laser Maps, all on the main UCSB campus.  For those who didn't attend UCSB, get a campus map and guess anyway.

Curtis, as usual, wanted to get some KFC.  My sister had just given me $15 in KFC bucks.  What a wonderful coincidence!  Mashed potatoes, gravy, cole slaw, mac and cheese, biscuits, one of every available type of 'snacker,' and of course, 15 pieces of chicken.  The onion, tomato, artichoke and eggplant were added for the sole purpose of this photoshoot.

500!  Horray!  My cup runneth over with free ale!

Brackets were announced yesterday boys. I signed us up for a group through ESPN, all you have to do is create an account and register for our group. Most of you should already have an account from last year's tourney and if you forget your username as I did, you can have it emailed to you. There should be some sort of buy in that we can handle at the next meeting maybe, say $10? Make sure that you fill out your bracket by Thursday, the day the tourney starts. Registration will close on that day. Good luck.

So this was initially going to be a marathon info update, but as I was perusing through some new photos I dug a little deeper and found some jems that represent some major events that have occurred up until the upcoming 500th post (crossing my fingers). When I look at some of the photos that have been taken, it wets my appetite for the next party, the next meeting, the next trip, the next visit, the next buffet after a party, the first wedding...holy shit, the first wedding.

But first, a little marathon info update:

Most importantly, the date of the marathon is April 29th, from Big Sur to Carmel, 26.2 miles. If you are planning on attending, which I know some of you are, give me a call so that we can talk about the housing situation. About my training: after drinking myself into the flu and tearing a silver dollar sized blister on one foot and a quarter sized blister on the other during the Super Bowl weekend, training was postponed for a week. But I am proud to mention that since then, training has commenced, and is going strong, real strong. My weekdays consist of going to work around 8:30, running an average of 8-10 miles during lunch, back to work till around 6, then to the gym for weights and more cardio on the bike or elliptical. On the weekends I tend to drink too much to run the next day. On Tuesday I ran the farthest I have ever run, 16.7 miles at an average 8:30 minute mile pace. Although I did not adequately prepare for running this great of a distance (it was kind of a spur of moment thing for that days run, thus I did not load up on carbs or liquids the day before or even that morning) I rose above the cramps due to the 80 degree heat and poor preparation, and the muscle and joint aches to finish at a good average mile time, knowing that with better preparation I can shave some time. I leave this update feeling very confident in the way my training is going.

Before the photo collage, Old Kings Road tomorrow night with Jordan if any of you are up for it (note: no harsh words in this post, just a simple invitation, didn't want to hurt any of our sensitive members).

2007 San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade I attended, where were you Curtis? I thought I saw you a couple of times but it wasn't you. All the same. These guys in the yellow body suits where my favorite.

Curtis and I with seasonal facial hair at Forbe's Island and Pier 39 during Christmas. Amanda was present, but I felt more like Curtis' date except for when they started hooking up while I was in the bed. Amanda insisted I sleep on the bed and not on the floor.

Thanksgiving 2006 at the Mesa House, my stuffed 24 lb. beauties. Josh would have been proud. Just like the pilgrims.

IFS Grapes of Wrath. Just the beginning. They didn't know what they were getting.

Through Curtis' and my eyes.

Nova and I at the Chargers game. Sorry about your face Rams. Thanks Morgan.

Halloween 2006.  

Allergies and the resulting patch test.

IFS the Exodus.

Baez and I's stunning win at the inaugural S.L.O.W. boccee ball tournament, with thanks to Simone in the first game.

2006 Solstice Day Parade. This man is getting married in a couple months?

Me at the grassy knoll. X marks the spot...oh god I'm going to hell.

IFS Vegas. Chuy (damn picture won't load but try this link Download CIMG0272.JPG).

Halloween 2005. The greatest Halloween ever.

Two times. Minister of Athletics, I had to remind you all why.

I'm still working on this, but I need a couple people's usernames on Typepad, this is the username you type to login, as I only have nicknames for some, which don't work.  Here's who I need in order of who is most likely to get it to me:

• Defense
• Competitive Spirit
• Maritime Affairs
• Auditory Pleasures
• Finance

(I know asking for Baez's is pointless, but oh well maybe one day pigs will fly, and Baez will post.) 

You can email them to me, or post them in the comments.  With them I'll be able to build individual Minister pages, or just this page of everyone's posts for the last 30 days.  Without them, I can only include the 13 ministers I have usernames for.

Airborne 1 (Fricker and Baumann's Laser Map company, pictured in the back of the first picture) is located in El Segundo California directly adjacent to Mattel corporate headquarters.  Yesterday, Mattel had a mini Auto show to display some of the hot rods modeled after "Hot Wheels".  I took a little walk next door during lunch to take a peek at the legendary "Twin Mill" car, modeled after a Hot Wheels racer.  The Twin Mill car may not be practical or street legal, but it looks kinda fast.  I'll share a few pictures with you.  Those bottles of Ale as good as mine! 

As many ministers may be aware I make "Laser Maps" with the help of my skilled associate Scott Baumann.  Since I figured many of you might not understand exactly what that means I thought I'd post a picture of a particularly interesting Laser Map.  This picture is the LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging, a.k.a. Laser) signature of an airport in false color.  Notice the planes heading for the runway.  Two points for the minister who recognizes which airport is in the picture.

1. Gain 1000 lbs.
2. Lose 400 lbs. on a high protein diet.
3. Get to ride on a forklift like a parade float and have a mariachi band play for you.

You too can live the dream.

If you are bored at work like me today, check out this A.V. Club / Onion interview with Zach Galifianakis, it's pretty funny, but it also mentions that Dog Bites Man was cancelled, which is the opposite of funny:

AVC: And you're dreaming of starting a writer's retreat?

ZG: I have a 60-acre farm in North Carolina, and I have a tractor and a farmhouse. As soon as I groom the land, I want to put cabins around and have a place where people can write and hang out. It'll be either that or an all-black nudist colony.

AVC: Would you be allowed?

ZG: I would be allowed. A lot of people have done blackface, I would be in black-penis. That's so stupid. [Groans.] I have a lot of goals for the farm. I planted a few trees—I want it to be a sustainable farm. I put a pond in and I'm trying to figure out where to put my pot plants.

[AV Club]

Just a reminder to everyone, Southpark Season 11 starts tonight.  Here's a summary of tonight's episode:

New cases of people using the “N” word are on the rise in an all new “South Park” entitled, “With Apologies to Jesse Jackson,” premiering on Wednesday, March 7 at 10:00 p.m. on Comedy Central.

While the citizens of “South Park” must contend with the widespread use of the racial slur, Cartman fights a midget.

Watch or die...

After returning home from the Orange County Airport last Sunday a weird feeling came upon me.  The uneasy feeling of not knowing the next time the heat would be broughten.  As I stirred all night Sunday, dreading the work week ahead, I decided to fire up the piece of shit Dell laptop I call my own.  I wasn't sure my dreary eyes were offering the truth.  Was this sampling of institutional jargon my next opportunity to bring the heat?  I quickly skimmed over the letter I had received to find, to my pleasant surprise, my next trip to California would be this Thursday.  On Friday I'll attempt to prove my worth to some people at UOP's School of Pharmacy and Friday night I'll be throwing down in SF with the man, the legend, the Minister of Auditory Pleasures.  Saturday morning my journey continues back to the old stomping grounds, whereby Saturday night the OKR's ambience will be ruined by the clanking of Jager shots plummeting to the bottom of glasses filled with red bull substitute.  I'll be in SB till Tuesday, where a wonderful friend of mine has offered to drive me the whole way down to Huntington Beach to stay with Linds and her family.  I'll be in HB till Friday afternoon and I will head off to kiss some more ass at yet another pharmacy school.  I'm spending the night in LA on Friday and will be interviewing at USC on Saturday.  Saturday afternoon I will precede to bring as much heat as possible until the drop of the puck between the Kings and the Blue Jackets at Staples.  Sunday morning I head to the airport and by nightfall, something tells me that weird feeling will return.  To those I saw last week, let's do it up again.  To those that weren't able to make it up, let's bring the heat..  I'll be there for 10 days, so let me know where you'll be.  I hope to see as many of you as possible.  Thank you and good flapjack!

-Minister of Trading Trade for Health

     I just wanted to illustrate for everyone how sweet Frick, Ben, and I were back in our high school days with a pic. I was sent via Myspace. We pretty much ruled the campus, especially Frick after this Eric Cantona pose. This picture is just to help everyone understand how  we became such small town heroes. So come Memorial Day meeting you guys wont be so shocked to see our celebrity status around town. Young kids might run up to us and ask, "Weren't you the center midfielder for Chico High in 2000?" or an old man might walk up and tell us we were the best team to ever take the pitch. It happens about every time we go back to our stomping ground so I just wanted to give everyone a heads up, were sort of big deals.
     Scott Baumann and Matt Flemming are also legends, I just don't have the high school sports pics to prove it.