Thursday, March 04, 2010

Thursday Thirteen #9

13 Things About Dane Bramage
13 Songs by the iPod Mystery Artist

When I get buried at work like I have been lately, I like to listen to my iPod Nano. It has 8GB of memory and currently holds every piece of music I own. (I won it in a raffle at "Employee Appreciation Day" at work! Yea me!) Well here are thirteen songs by the mystery artist(s). I am pretty sure you will have it figured out by number 13!

Gloria
So You Say
Joy Spring
Twilight Tone I found a video for this song on YouTube but it has since been removed. Too bad it was a cool video.
Body and Soul
Shaker Song
Four Brothers
Night in Tunisia
Java Jive
Operator
Birdland

This was such a find. There are only two acceptable versions of the song Birdland. The original by Weather Report and the version by the mystery artist. BOTH OF THEM PERFORM IN THIS VIDEO! How cool is that?
Soul Food to Go
Boy from New York City

Okay if you don't know by now then this signature song should give it away.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Monday, February 22, 2010

Very Interesting.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Simply Brilliant

See the Pam Tebow story at Focus on the Family

Thursday, February 04, 2010

Thursday Thirteen #8

13 Things About Dane Bramage
13 Fun Facts About Walking
In preparation for my bariatric surgery, I have to increase my level of activity. Specifically I have to do more walking as I will be doing a great deal of it immediately after the procedure. It helps removes the excess gas pumped into the abdomen during the procedure. So this week I have 13 facts about walking and the benefits of exercise. I may have modified a few.

Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $7000 per month.
My grandpa started walking five miles a day when he was 60.. Now he's 97 years old and we don't know where the heck he is.
I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
The only reason I would take up walking is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.
I have to walk early in the morning, before my brain figures out what I'm doing.
I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to go there.
We all get heavier as we get older, because there's a lot more information in our heads. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.
I do have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.
If you don't get enough of a workout everyday pulling your own weight or pushing your luck, just add about 1000 diddley squats.
I know I got a lot of exercise the last few years,...... just getting over the hill.
If the benefits of walking aren't readily apparent then look at my mail carrier. He's shaped like Jabba the Hut.
The advantage of exercising every day is so when you die, they'll say, 'Well, he looks good doesn't he.'

So get out there and walk!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Jon Stewart and Wyatt Cenac Slam Chris Matthews

Hat Tip: Hot Air

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Thursday Thirteen #7

13 Things About Dane Bramage
13 Answers About ME!

I had done this back in 2007 so at first I was hesitant to do it again. But then I thought there is no way the same results would come up. AND if I vary the questions (there are more than 13) then it will be a completely different post.

So here's how it works. Choose 13 questions. Then type the answers into Google Image Search and choose an image from the first page of results. Lots of fun really. So let's do this.

What age will you be on your next birthday?
This is the infamous Area 51. I hit half a century in 2009.
What is your nickname?
Everybody just calls me "Kev"
Where do you live?
Akron Ohio. Once known as the Rubber Capital of the World. Still home to the All American Soap Box Derby. You cant really see it but my house is at the very top edge of the picture.
What is your mother's name?
Self explanatory
What is your favorite drink?
Its the real thing
What is your favorite food?
Not the kind from any fast food franchise but home fried! Yum.
What is your favorite snack?
I will eat an entire bag if allowed. Especially white cheddar!
What is your favorite dessert?
Even in winter I love it. They cant make it in enough flavors.
What is your biggest concern?
Jeez, with a diet of fried chicken, cheese puffs, Ice cream and Coke what did you think it was going to be, Global Warming?
What place would you like to visit?
Visit and possibly live there forever!
Where do you spend the most time when not at home or work?
My real church looks so much more beautiful than this one.
What do you do to relax
And with my DVR I can see several episodes in one sitting and zip past commercials!
What is your biggest time wasting activity?
Yeah me and 11 million of my closest friends everyday.

Well I hope that tells you a little more about me. If you use this idea drop me a line so I can see you explained in pictures!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Thursday Thirteen #6

13 Things About Dane Bramage

13 Random Photos from the MyPhotos Folder

I am still deep in NaNoWriMo so I grabbed 13 photos from the MyPhotos folder on my PC. Most of them are photoshopped creations I did. And Many have a foot theme. Hmmm maybe its time for therapy.

Jonny Depp and SpongeBob Squarepants together again for the first time. Somehow I don't think there is a woman out there who would reject John for having a SpongeBob tattoo.

I did this during the campaign. Too bad no one listened to me! LOL.

My little visual pun entitled "Obamanation"

This is an actual Dutch magazine cover. It proclaims "Black Jesus is Here!" No wonder the man has a Messianic Complex.

Here is my super friend Scott. I actually did two versions of the chop. This is the second. I added 15 pounds to him. Now he has a super gut.

Shamed by my super photo of him, Scott began an intense workout regimen. Unfortunately his regimen consisted of eating nothing but green chili burritos and beer. I did this photo to let him know what he could have been.

This is another super friend Dave. He once had a promising career as a foot model. It was cut short by a tragic ingrown toenail incident. As you can see Dave is currently suffering from burnout. But I have preserved some of Dave's finest work. Starting with today's Thursday Thirteen logo.

Dave's problems started when he wouldn't keep his feet off the table.

Dave's health began to fail and it affected the appearance of his prize winning feet.

Soon all he could land were cheap Sci-fi gigs.

But all was not lost. Two fellow foot models, Carpet Feet...

and Escalator Feet helped Dave land a new gig.

You cans see Dave's feet in a new exhibit honoring Magritte.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Thursday Thirteen #5

13 Things About Dane Bramage

13 Bumper Stickers Found on a Marine Base

My buddy Karl saves the day when he forwarded me this list via email. Thanks Karl! Otherwise I would have no Thursday Thirteen due to NaNoWriMo.

"U.S. Marines -- Travel Agents To Allah"

"When In Doubt, Empty The Magazine"

"The Marine Corps -- When It Absolutely, Positively Has To Be Destroyed Overnight"

"Death Smiles At Everyone -- Marines Smile Back

"Marine Sniper - You can run, but you'll just die tired!"

"Marines, Providing Enemies of America an Opportunity to Die For their Country Since 1775"

"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Anyone Who Threatens It"

"It's God's Job to Forgive Bin Laden -- It's Our Job to Arrange the Meeting"

"Artillery Brings Dignity to What Would Otherwise Be Just a Brawl"

"Machine Gunners -- Accuracy by Volume"

"A Dead Enemy Is a Peaceful Enemy -- Blessed Be The Peacemakers"

"Happiness Is a Belt-Fed Weapon"

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. Marines don't have that problem."

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Thursday Thirteen #4

13 Things About Dane Bramage

13 Things I should Have Said and the 13 things I Said

NaNoWriMo is kicking my butt this month so this week I have dusted off an old T13 I did some time back. Enjoy

Of course not! Why you look ravishing! No. Your big butt makes you look fat.

Times are really tough for all of us. And I am sure once he bounces back he will be in touch. You knew he was a deadbeat before he was your baby's daddy.

I'm sure he was drawn to your vast intellect and beauty. I'm sure he was drawn to your vast wealth.

The screen says the flight is delayed. I'm sure it will be here soon. The plane ain't landing but your Mom's broom just touched down at gate 47.

Well he's had some setbacks with his health and other issues. The lazy bum is deathly allergic to work.

No I have never had this kind of food before and let me just say the texture and smell makes for a unique dining experience. Oh man this tastes like crap.

I would describe her appearance as classical. I bet men surround her staring, transfixed by her look. The trick is not to stare directly at her face, instead use shiny surfaces.

Genetics is a powerful thing and he could very well inherit your brains. Since you're a dumbass chances are he'll be a dumbass too.

Let's hold off on the drinks until we get to the air conditioned room. You know how your mom sweats.

You're Sisters? I see the striking family resemblance now! Which one of you did Dorothy drop the house on?

Dude your cologne is a little overpowering. Dude you reek. What'd you do, bathe in a latrine?

It's obvious you have championship attitude! if they gave awards for it you'd definitely get a gold medal at the Jerk Olympics.

Your track record isn't very good. And I see that these setbacks haven't diminished your perseverance. Don't you ever get tired of being wrong?

Friday, October 30, 2009

The Anticipation Is More Than I can Stand

Sunday is when NaNoWriMo starts and I can hardly wait. This year I have a new novel idea and I have been scribbling copious notes but I can't start writing until Sunday. I know a lot of Nanowrimos will start at Midnight but I have church Sunday and I don't do well unless I am fully rested. If I start writing in the wee hours I know I will pull an all nighter and be worthless in the morning. Not a good thing when driving a church van full of screaming kids. So I will start Sunday afternoon at the earliest but most likely after Sunday evening services. Then If I pull an all nighter I'll just fall asleep at my desk on Monday. But I have to go to work with some kind of word count (hopefully at least 1667) because the co-worker that occupies the seat next to mine is also in NaNoWriMo this year and if I have less of a word count than she does she will openly ridicule me.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Thursday Thirteen #3

13 Things About Dane Bramage

13 Facebook Apps to Waste Your Precious Time On

As you may know, NaNoWriMo begins this Sunday. I usually have no problem on the weekends cranking out my word count. During the week is another matter. I get easily distracted by computer things. This year I have two new additions. World of Warcraft and Facebook. WoW will be easy enough to deal with. When my time expires, I just won't renew until after November 30th. Facebook on the other had has a bunch of free applications (apps) that usually require dailly maintenance. Here are 13 Facebook appa that are likely to waste my precious time.

Mafia Wars Do jobs to earn money and experience. Recruit Facebook Friends to be in your Mafia family. Fight other players.

Vampire Wars Do jobs to earn money and experience. Recruit Facebook Friends to be in your Vampire clan. Fight other players.

Space Wars Do jobs to earn money and experience. Recruit Facebook Friends to be in your Space fleet. Fight other players.

Dragon Wars Do jobs to earn money and experience. Recruit Facebook Friends to be in your Dragon Alliance. Fight other players.

Pirates! Do jobs to earn money and experience. Recruit Facebook Friends to be in your Pirate crew. Fight other players.

Battle Stations This spaceship building game is more graphically appealing than your standard app. But basically its the same premise as the others.

Farm Town Big Facebook hit. You plant crops. You wait. You harvest crops. You expand. Lots of fun.

Farmville Zynga the "wars" company created a knock off of Farm Town. Sufficiently different to try though.

Dungeons and Dragons Tiny Adventures Completely different but not necessarily in a good way. You make a character. You pick missions. Time elapses and your mission will consist of 6 to 18 die rolls. You pass or fail each roll. If you fail the last roll of the mission you fail the mission. You earn experience and cash to buy gear.

Cafe World My new best diversion. You run a cafe by cooking meals hiring waiters, serving dishes and expanding your building. Big fun! I NEED NEIGHBORS!

Superhero City Do missions to earn money and experience. Flash animation for the fights is a very nice bonus but otherwise same as the rest.

Castle Age Higher quality artwork, more variations on gear but same type of app.

Starfleet Commander This app is quite different from the others. It appeals to the classic 4X strategy gamer in me.

Now the main purpose of these apps is to make money. You can play for free forever but you can enhance your game play by exchanging real money for virtual money to buy virtual goodies and boons for your squad/clan/tribe/crew/family/team etc. And of course they make it almost imperative for you to sign up your Facebook friends as "teammates", a reciprocal arrangement which allows you to be a member of their "team" at the same time. So if you are on Facebook and play any of these apps, send a friend request to Dane Bramage (Akron Ohio) and tell me what game you are in and I will be your neighbor!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. Its easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Monday, October 26, 2009

Bent Objects

There is a book out by Terry Border. Check it out.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Thursday Thirteen #2

13 Things About Dane Bramage

13 Reasons Why I Am Going to Have Bariatric Surgery

Five years ago I contemplated the idea of Bariatric surgery. Well more than contemplated it. I actually joined the program and saw the doctors and dietitians, the whole nine yards. What kept me from going through with it was insurance. My plan would not cover it. Well that has changed and I am in the program again. This time it looks very likely my insurance will cover it this time. In honor of that I am listing 13 reasons why I chose/need to have Bariatric surgery.

At the dinner table I sit next to everybody. Same thing at the theater.

My belt size is "Equator" I have to put it on with a boomerang.

My cereal bowl comes with a lifeguard. Sometimes I just eat from a satellite dish.

My driver's license picture says "continued on other side". And it is an aerial shot to boot!

When I jump into the air I get stuck. I can't even jump to a conclusion.

I caught a flesh-eating virus and the doctor gave me 10 years to live.

I have to iron my pants in the driveway

At the zoo, elephants throw me peanuts. Still not as bad as having Greenpeace try to roll me back into the ocean when I sunbath.

I have smaller fat men orbiting me.

Once I went missing and they used all four sides of the milk carton.

I have my own zip code. And my butt has its own congressman!

My belly button doesn't have lint, it has sweaters.

At restaurants I don't get a menu, I get an estimate.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Thursday Thirteen

13 Things about My NaNoWriMo Novel

November 1st begins NaNoWriMo. That's National Novel Writing Month. It is an annual excercize for budding writers to crank out 50,000 words in 30 days. This will be my 4th attempt and hopefully my second successful one. I am not allowed to start writing yet but I can have an outline and some notes prepared so I thought I would share 13 things about this years novel.

The genre is science ficiton/fantasy. While the hero starts on modern day Earth he travels to a myriad of different worlds and eras.

The Character's name might be Zach. Short for Zachariah. But the character I am using as my inspiration was actually Zephaniah so he could easily be Zeph. I haven't decided.

Zach has gifts. Special abilities far beyond normal mortals.

Zach is a Prime In a universe with infinite worlds and infinite variations, there are infinites numbers of you and me. There is only 1 Zach and 1 of each of the other primes.

Primes can pass through shunts. Shunts are invisible dimensional portals that come and go. Only Primes can see them or pass through them.

When Primes are not on the world of their birth, they do not age. So if they start adventuring young, a Prime can retain their youth indefinately. But they age normally on their world of birth.

All Primes instantly recognize other Primes as Primes. a "feeling" that is impossible to duplicate.

All Primes instantly know when they are on the world of their birth. Again a feeling.

Shunts never appear in the same place twice. But with practice a Prime can take a shunt to any world.

Primes can sense shunts. Some can sense when they will appear but not where. Others know where but not when. So communication is vital.

Primes have established a secret organization. They have a base in the form of a "members only" club on many worlds. A Prime doorman insures only Prime enter the premises. The goal is education and adventure reporting. Some think it should be more.

Physical laws vary from world to world Some places magic is very powerful while othere, magic barely exists

Zach wants to be a superhero With his new found abilities he can make his wish come true if he survives.

The basic idea came from a Champions campaign I ran where the heroes were Primes but there were only two worlds, Earth and Terra. Identical physically in everyway, the differences were often subtle and the heroes bounced back and forth between the two. I decided for NANoWriMo I would expand on the concept.

Friday, October 09, 2009

Too Bad It's Friday

I just discovered that Thursday Thirteen is still alive and well sort of. Many of the participants of the weekly meme continue to post weekly so starting next week I will jump back on the bandwagon.