Southland: My Review of the Pilot

It sure has been a while since I've posted to this blog. Hopefully I'll get back to blogging.

On Sunday, I watched the new NBC television show, "Southland" and thought I would share my opinion. Let me start by saying I don't think television needs another show that takes place in an intense work environment, but instead of focusing on the work, focuses on the personal lives of the characters. I'll cite the CSI's as examples of the former and NYPD Blue, Grey's Anatomy, and E.R. as examples of the latter. (Did I use former and latter properly?)

I really enjoyed the pilot. It seemed to show the day to day activities of Los Angeles police officers and detectives. We see the young rookie teamed with the veteran and hear the obligatory "If you do what they taught you in the academy, you will die" line. The show is cruising along wonderfully until the two officers pull over an exotic sports car and find drugs in the door pocket. The driver then asks rookie guy to cut him a break and we hear the first mention of rookie's dad. Uh oh! Foreshadowing of personal details to be revealed at a later date. More references to rookie's upbringing follow. "Where did you learn to shoot, the Beverly Hills Gun Club?"

The next sign of future "soap opera" came when the female detective said she had to go home to check on her mom. Why does a middle-aged detective live with her mom? Why does she need to go check on her all of a sudden? Don't tell me, I don't care.

I will continue watching "Southland" for a few more weeks, but if the edginess of the police work get mired in the "soap opera" lives of the characters, I'm done. What do you think of the show?

Jury Duty Fun

Today I arrived at the downtown courthouse for jury duty. Before I could get my computer started, I was called to go to the "Hawthorne School" court on the other side of town. As we were waiting in the jury room (former kindergarten classroom), the power went out. A man came in and told us the power was out throughout the neighborhood. I am now sitting in a dark room waiting to find out what happens next. The fun never ends!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Tough Job Requirements

Seen at the Taco Bell in Mission Grove.

It must take amazing origami skills to turn your application "into" a manager. Who knew the expectations for rolling burritos is so high. We won't even get into the numerous uses of "Engrish" found.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Crack berry

I joined Face book Friday night and learned how to use their mobile application on my Blackberry yesterday. I now understand where the nickname "crack berry" came from. I can't put the thing down. I'm changing my status the way some people use Twitter. In fact, as soon as I'm done logging on my crack berry, I need to change my status to reflect that I am done with lunch.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Hockey Day

On Wednesday Ken and I went to the Ducks /Oilers game for his birthday. Ken had wanted to go to this game since he first saw the schedule and saw that a game fell on his birthday. Unfortunately, I didn't have money at the time. On Tuesday, I got a call from Brad Vaughn, a drummer I know, saying he had two club level tickets to the game. He GAVE me two $89.00 tickets for free. Here are some pics from the game.

Ken before the game

Me before the game

Us in our seats

Watching the radio post-game show. That's rookie Nathan McIver on the left.

The coolest part of the Club Level: Gold Toilet Plumbing!!!

Here's a video I took in the parking lot. I think we were a bit early.

Dean Koontz Day

Today Sarah and I went to Oceanside to see Dean Koontz speak. He also signed a few books for us. The entire deal was a fundraiser for an incredible group called Canine Companions for Independence. All proceeds from his new book, Bliss to You, go toward this wonderful organization that trains and provides service dogs for handicapped people. Not just seeing eye dogs:
I dropped my keys, can't open the door, can't reach the phone, etc. dogs!

The Big Holiday

Since tomorrow is Talk Like A Pirate Day I went to the Talk Like A Pirate page and got a new name and an image of me as a pirate.











BUTCH THE WICKED!