The Buhner.com Blog

First off, I have to give a big “hello” to my niece, who is a day old as I write this. Little Lauren Rose was born yesterday, and mother, father, baby, and big brother are all doing fine.

Now, let me say that I, unlike Adam Griffin, still have not finished the Potter book yet, so I have still yet to read Griff’s review. I’m making good progress though, and I should be done by tomorrow, or Thursday at the latest.

I haven’t been slacking, though, as I wrote not one, but TWO reviews. Griff got me in the reviewing mood, so I finished one review I’ve been meaning to do and had started before, and one that just flew off my keyboard. Check the reviews section for my reviews of the PS2 game MLB Slugfest 20-04, and the new television show “Can You Tell?” Both dispell the belief that I can’t write reviews unless I really like something, but one moreso than the other.

The reviewing mood may carry over for the next few days, but it may not. We’ll just have to see how things go.

By the way, “Speed Reader” was actually on the Great Space Coaster. Thanks to no one who wrote in.

This is one of the odder things I’ve put up on Buhner.com, but I’ve just recently placed a review I haven’t myself read up on our site. Adam Griffin has reviewed Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix for Buhner.com, and I’m assuming that it’s good. Griff knows what he’s talking about.

The reason it hasn’t been read by me is because I hate spoilers. Hate them totally. Despite Griff’s insistance that there are no spoilers in the review, I still refuse to read it until I finish the 870 (or is it 890) page book, which should be tomorrow.

For those of you living under boulders, the Potter book was released today. Griff has an amazing talent in which he can read an 800+ page book in less than 8 hours. It reminds me of “Speed Reader”, who was this faux super hero that was on one of those PBS learning shows. Someone would be in trouble, Speed Reader would come into the picture, read whatever he had to really quick and save the day.

Man, we used to watch a lot of crap.

Slacking off in the articles a bit, but it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t. The Sosa article isn’t getting the hits that I expected, but so be it. It was something I had to write, and it’s content. I have a tendency to get too analytical when I talk about baseball, mainly because baseball has so many stats to work with. I’m a big fan of statistics, so I end up trying to make a point, and all of a sudden I’m throwing in batting averages and breaking out the Courier New font for that all important proper spacing.

In light of writing articles, I’ve been trying to work on my book/screenplay. Yes, laugh if you will, I think it’s something that would appeal to a decent amount of people, and if I don’t finish it, I’ll never know. At this rate, writing a book and trying to sell it might be as likely as getting someone to hire me for a full time job, so why not at least have some sense of accomplishment?

As for the title, I learned today that I didn’t get one of the two jobs discussed earlier (the bad commute one). Since I didn’t get it, I can talk about it. It was a “game tester” position for Acclaim Entertainment, which makes video games for various consoles. While it could be very easy to trash Acclaim for not hiring me, I’ll just shrug my shoulders and chalk it up to another batch of bad luck. The commute would have killed my car (even the new one) considering we were talking an estimated 65 miles EACH WAY to work five days a week. But, then again, it was a dream job, and most importantly, income.

Feh.

Well, happy Father’s Day, if you happen to be one, or if you’re just lame like me and act as a father to two pain-in-the-ass cats. My dad passed away a little over 5 years ago, so Father’s Day just kind of comes and goes for me now, and it will until I have a child of my own.

It’s be very easy for me to celebrate Father’s Day, as I have two people who I could direct the gifts/support/etc to. My father-in-law, who reminds me way too much of my father some times, is a very good man in general, and is the closest thing I have to a father right now. He and my actual father would have gotten along great, it’s really a shame they never got to meet. My mom’s boyfriend now could easily be my father figure right now as well, considering his placement in my family and that situation. Of course, I will never let that happen, not because he’s a bad person, but just because I won’t let it happen, and certain things just work that way. He’s been supportive of me, helped me out a lot over the last few years, and is always willing to lend a hand or a few words of support, without a word in return (what he mumbles out of earshot doesn’t count, and shouldn’t.) It’s unfortunate, because he does get called my father a lot, simply because he’s the elder male in my family circle, so people make assumptions, despite the fact that I look nothing like him. Then again, if my father were alive today and you put him next to me, you wouldn’t think we looked alike either.

Anyway, bought a car today. As you know, my ride has been pretty much nonexistent lately, and it was totally necessary. I actually bought a car instead of a truck or SUV, which was odd just because I’ve never been a car person. But, I drove a Toyota Corolla when I got into the accident and had to rent a car, and it surprised me with its comfort and space, something a 6′2″ guy needs. That’s what I ended up getting today, and I’m quite happy with it. It’s the best car, I feel, that I could have gotten for the money, and I don’t think I would have been any happier with an SUV. I know my dad was there with me today, just kind of in spirit, and he was probably shaking his head at the fact that I was buying a car AND a Japanese one at that. But the man drove a Toyota pickup for the last five years of his life, rusted all to hell and startable with a flathead screwdriver, but he liked it. So, I think he’ll let me slide.

I’m sorry it’s not red. Trust me dad, this one’s better.

Well, one article finally down, with several more in the queue. Referencing a commercial that probably gave small children nightmares, Is Sosa Reeeeeeeeal? explores the Sammy Sosa corked bat controversy, and sheds a little light on why Sosa’s story might not float (get it? Cork? Float? WOW!)

Anyway, I’m looking for ideas on what to name this little news/blog/whatever section this is. It’s been titled, for lack of a better idea, “What’s New” since Buhner.com’s been in existance. But since it’s become more than just a spot to tell you, the loyal reader, what has been updated on the site, I think it needs a new name. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, and you can send them to tom@buhner.com.

Until the next update…