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:





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.





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:



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:



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.




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:





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:



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