Brick Boss: 2018

Rock Me Like A Hurricane

I'm writing this on the morning of Hurricane Florence landfall in Carolinas.

I hope everyone will be ok.

A few years ago I got to see a hurricane form in the ocean. We were on a cruise ship. When Sandy formed in the Caribbean.

It wasn't anything special at the time. Just some clouds. And we had to miss our stop in Jamaica.

But we did sail through the south side of Sandy on the way back to Ft. Lauderdale. Since the hurricane would miss Florida. Thus we were able to return to port ok.

We were on the Allure of the Seas. At the time the largest cruise ship in the world. Every other ship except it's sister the Oasis could fit within the ship.

So I sat and enjoyed the ride. And realized how small we were in the view of things. As this big ship still rocked a bit. And creaked.

And outside my balcony on the 12th story, waves were crashing over the side.

Which is why I didn't go outside - even though I wanted to see it.

Thankfully I'm dry and on solid land watching the news today.

Don't forget:

https://www.brickboss.co/store/

source https://brickbossjournal.postach.io/post/rock-me-like-a-hurricane

Toddlers Notes To You

My friend Teena sent out her most recent newsletter.

She got the strangest feedback. It asked why Erin had sent such a messed up email.

Teena looked at the reply. Puzzled.

A minute later, another reply. A reply from the person who had sent the strange email.

Was it aliens trying to communicate with her?

Did the government want to recruit for a secret mission?

No it was an embarrassed mom.

The mother had given her 2-year old son her phone to play games on. And somehow, he had managed to get to her email.

And decided to reply to Teena's message.

https://www.brickboss.co/store/

source https://brickbossjournal.postach.io/post/toddlers-notes-to-you

My Wallet Is The One That Says BAMF

“Never regret anything you have done with a sincere affection; nothing is lost that is born of the heart."

― Basil Rathbone

I remember the first time I saw Pulp Fiction.

It was in the first movie theater in Dallas that also served food and beer. I remember having a couple of beers. And it was the midnight showing.

I also remember almost falling asleep during the opening of the Bruce Willis scene.

It would be 20 years before I appreciated that segment of the movie. I have always loved the Travolta and Jackson scenes.

But I thought the Bruce Willis scene boring. Until I realized one day while watching the movie for the thousandth time (I'm exaggerating but I have seen this movie many many times) and realized what a great action sequence this segment is.

Though if you really want to have your mind blown, watch the scene where Travolta and Jackson pick up the briefcase. The "Tasty Burger" scene.

Watch this scene again. But this time without the sound so that Sam Jackson doesn't distract you. And just watch Travolta. If you want to learn how to act. Or draw. Or how to be impactful when you are a background person in a group project, he shows you how.

Anyway t-shirts:

https://www.brickboss.co/store/

source https://brickbossjournal.postach.io/post/my-wallet-is-the-one-that-says-bamf

NFL Kickoff 2018

I am a passionate NFL fan.

Growing up, I was only a casual fan. I remember the first time I watched a full regular season game. I was in high school.

As I quickly reflect, I realized, even as a kid, I didn't do nothing very well. I would much would rather play. Or write computer programs.

I still do not do nothing well. It's a big reason why I hate to travel for work. There's many hours of where you can't do a damn thing except sit.

I know what else you might be thinking - "Dude, planes now have wifi". Yes. But I am the size of your average NFL linebacker. I don't have the six-pack. But I'm 6'4" and over 200 pounds. Even getting my phone out and doing email on it is a challenge as the planes have gotten bigger while squeezing the seats together.

Anyway, the more I have learned about football, the more I have dove deep into it. It is the most team-focused game compounded with 3D chess. Because that's why the pass is so important to NFL.

The best teams use 3D geometry to work their magic.

So my 2 teams did well. Washington and New England. New England was expected. Washington not so much.

And while I joked that I was rooting against Green Bay on Sunday night because I got stuck in Milwaukee Friday night because of bad weather in Dallas - that was a hell of a performance on one leg.

Don't forget. I have t-shirts:

https://www.brickboss.co/store/

source https://brickbossjournal.postach.io/post/nfl-kickoff-2018

My Eulogy To Burt Reynolds

Burt Reynolds died yesterday.

My dad likes to tell a story of how Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood were friends and roommates. They went to visit a talent agent. The agent said neither of them would ever find work in Hollywood. Burt couldn't act. Clint had talent but his Adam's Apple was too big.

They walked out. Burt looked at Clint and said he felt sorry for Clint after that meeting. Clint looked at him and asked "Why?". "I can learn how to act. There's nothing you can do about that Adam's Apple."

Don't know if that story is true or not but it should be.

I hadn't thought about Burt in a long time. He was old (82) and it had decades since I saw him in a movie. The last one that I could think of is Boogie Nights.

I know he did a movie a year or two ago that apparently poked fun of his career.

But during my young years, he was my #1 tough guy actor. The best comparison I can make for the younglings who might be reading this is Bruce Willis.

He was the Bruce Willis of the 1970s and early 80s.

The epitome of this was the flick "Smokey and the Bandit".

For my generation, freedom meant driving a fast car (Trans-Am with a t-top), picking up runaway brides and outrunning the law.

I just remembered KITT from Knight Rider was supposed to be a Trans-Am too. Burt in his normal car was still cooler.

And I also enjoyed watching Burt in reruns of his first steady work - Gunsmoke.

Thanks Burt for the memories.

https://www.brickboss.co/store/

source https://brickbossjournal.postach.io/post/my-eulogy-to-burt-reynolds

By Your Command

The first mailing list I ever joined on the Internet was about Battlestar Galactica. And it was in 1995. Maybe 1996.

This will surprise many people who know me. Because my t-shirt collection is 99% Star Wars.

And I do love Star Wars. Not as much as I used to. But I realize that Star Wars was created for kids (mostly boys) 6-12. And the farther I get away from being 12, the less appeal it has to me.

Note if you hate the latest movies but loved Star Wars growing up - view it through the prism of your 12 year old self. This is why I think Solo is a good movie. It's not a good adult movie.

But it's a fun enjoyable movie for a 12 year old boy.

Meanwhile, back to Battlestar.

You see in 1995, Galactica had not yet been rebooted. And looked like it would never be rebooted. But there was a collection of hard-core fans who loved that original TV show.

Thanks to the fact that Glen Larson had managed to get it (and Buck Rogers and a show I hated "Alias Smith and Jones") into syndication re-runs for years.

Between the ages of 7-12 or so, I knew it was summer when channel 39 out of Dallas started broadcasting Battlestar on Sunday evenings.

And we were left hanging about what had happened to that ragtag group of survivors being chased by the Cylons.

And this led to the reboot on SciFi. Which was a great show until the final hour of the series. I tell people who want to start watching it now - watch until the first part of the series finale. Just don't watch the final hour. You don't need it to complete the story.

And the series finale ruins the show.

I'm sure some of you liked it.

So whether you loved the series finale or are just starting your binge watching, make sure you're wearing one of our shirts:

https://www.brickboss.co/store/

source https://brickbossjournal.postach.io/post/by-your-command

Build Anything

As I'm writing this post - there's a viral LEGO Story going around.

And rightly so.

Because it's mind-boggling what the LEGO engineers did.

They created a functional, life-size Bugatti made from LEGO.

Meanwhile, I have a custom normal-sized LEGO car that's sitting on my desk half-finished because I lost a part. And need to talk myself in going to just get that part from Bricklink.

I jokingly call myself the "King of Bricks" when what I am really good at is losing bricks!

If my dog got the piece, he was very clever at it. I expect we'll find it when we re-do the floors.

Anyway, there's something that is harder to lose - a t-shirt.

You can check out my collection at:

https://www.brickboss.co/store/

source https://brickbossjournal.postach.io/post/build-anything

I Was Once Dumped For A Ninja Turtle

I'm happily married. And have been for over 20 years.

But in high school, I was not a ladies man. I had no game. But that didn't prevent me from trying.

I took the Reggie Jackson approach to dating. Reggie Jackson was a great baseball player in the 1970s and early 1980s. He was known for hitting homeruns. Lots of homeruns.

And for striking out.

A lot.

I had similar approach to dating in high school. I asked out lots of girls. And struck out a lot.

I once dated this girl. We had a good time. And I thought (as you do when you're 17) is that we would last forever.

And then she told me that she met someone. At the movie theater where her mom was the manager.

He was dressed up as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

I love pop culture. And I use my love of pop culture to inspire by t-shirt designs at:

https://www.brickboss.co/store/

source https://brickbossjournal.postach.io/post/i-was-once-dumped-for-a-ninja-turtle

Don't Let Me Near Your Boxed Up LEGO

There’s 3 distinct types of LEGO collectors.

The first type is the hobbyist. This the type I am. I enjoy building the sets. In particular cars. Because I am a car guy even though in real life I so far only buy practical cars. But because I run a LEGO Facebook page I also buy more variety of sets for photos.

Next there is the minifigure collector. These people only care about the figures. Which makes sense because they take up less room. And they are more unique than the actual sets. Even when they rerelease sets the figures are almost always updated.

But the ones that boggle my mind are the ones who don’t open the box. LEGO was meant to be played with.

And when you are building or reviewing your collection you need to be wearing one of my shirts:

https://www.brickboss.co/store/

source https://brickbossjournal.postach.io/post/don-t-let-me-near-your-boxed-up-lego

Here Lizard Lizard

20 years ago Taco Bell had a commercial series with a talking chihuahua.

This included a bit where he was laying a trap for Godzilla. Because the first reboot was coming out & Taco Bell had a tie-in.

I saw that movie with Mathew Broderick on my wedding day. We had a very small wedding. Got married in the morning. Had a nice lunch with family.

Then needed to kill time until we were hopping on a plane for our honeymoon.

I’m reminded of this because I saw a story of a family in Florida who is trying to capture a giant lizard in their backyard.

I of course had to see the video. And whoa! It looked like a Komodo Dragon. I don’t know what it is but it’s a big Lizard.

And I can see why they want it relocated.

Meanwhile it would be awesome if you checked out my t-shirt designs at

https://www.brickboss.co/store/

source https://brickbossjournal.postach.io/post/here-lizard-lizard

Sticks And Stones And Scallops

I like scallops. They’re a tasty seafood.

And then there’s this story I read online about a “war" between England and France about them.

I don’t know what the fight is about. I know that fishing is very competitive and there’s a lot of international law to keep the peace.

But I still laughed when I skimmed the sentence about the fishing boats were throwing rocks back and forth at each other.

This is why I keep a variety of shirts for sale.

https://www.brickboss.co/store/

source https://brickbossjournal.postach.io/post/sticks-and-stones-and-scallops

Samantha Fish Is The Best Musician You Have Never Heard Of

I discovered Samantha Fish via Facebook viral. It’s hard to miss.

Beautiful blonde woman in leather pants, red lipstick and holding a cigar box guitar.

So you press play.

And she takes over.

I tell people she sings like Adele and plays guitar like Slash.

It’s remarkable. And thanks to YouTube you can really dig into her stuff. She plays a lot of blues. Some of it with a country twist and some of it with a rock flair.

Whether you like stories in your songs, great vocals or amazing guitar solos she has you covered.

I don’t have a good segue.

https://www.brickboss.co/store/

source https://postach.io/blog/post/samantha-fish-is-the-best-musician-you-have-never-heard-of

Electric Scooters Will Be The End of Civilization

In the summer of 2018 there is a belief that electric scooters will be the solution to our travel problems.

I first heard about them because I follow the venture capitalist who invested in one of the firms. Of course he is located in Santa Monica, California.

Where I could see scooters being a fun way to get around tourist areas. The weather is always nice. And you have the beach. Plus it's California. Of course they think scooters are a way to revolutionize travel.

When I was 12 my friend Matt had a scooter. And while Waco is mostly flat. His street was on an incline. So we did what every 12 year old 1980s kids did.

We rode that scooter down the street on the incline. And tried to see how fast we could go.

And I wiped out. Hard. How I didn't break anything, is still surprising. I don't think I've shared this story to even my mom before.

But if you think that is crazy - my father in law tops me (Pappa Freddie).

He used to ride bulls on the ranch for fun. Not in competition. Not with a helmet or kevlar vests like they do now. Just hopped on the bull in the pen and rode. Because they were bored.

Fast forward to 2018. I watched on the news last night. And there was a story about the scooters in Austin. And the increasing number of accidents.

I was expecting how people were getting seriously hurt. People ride them crazy. They’re going fast on sidewalks with pedestrians. They’re on roads with cars!

Instead I got a guy talking about how he scratched his ear once. And it made him say "ouch" when he put on his shirt.

Speaking of shirts you should check out the ones I designed at:

https://www.brickboss.co/store/

source https://postach.io/blog/post/electric-scooters-will-be-the-end-of-civilization-2