Too Much Time On Our Hands

Considered by some back in the early 70s as a merely a hobby now has grown full circle into a complete overwhelming economic market in itself. The entertainment software association (ESA) released a report that in 2009 that the annual revenues for the US software industry have grown dramatically to $144.3 billion in 2009. Yes, you read that right. Back in 1971 Atari originally released Pong which basically opened the floodgates. Some may recall games such as Street Fighter; Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, Pole Position, Super Mario Brothers, Defender among others that emerged. That success led to the rise of console units as the Xbox, Nintendo 64, and the Wii to name a few. Apparently in 2009 (per the same report) the average annual compensation per employee in the software industry was nearly $90,000. How cool would that be to work making video games AND get paid to do that?

Now the latest wave has evolved into MMORGs (massive multiplayer online roleplaying game) which includes games such as Final Fantasy, Guild Wars, World of Warcraft and even the upcoming Star Wars to name a few. Earlier this month Blizzard entertainment (who makes World Of Warcraft) announced that its game had reached over 12 million subscribers worldwide. According to an article on consumerelectronics.net there was some interesting numbers. Sixty percent of the video gamers were male while forty percent were female. Over half of the adults play video games and four out of five young adults play. So are we as a society addicted or do we simply now just have too much time on our hands?

Hey yo!

Face it most of us at one time or another (most likely in our youth) have had or messed around with a yo-yo whether it was learning tricks as walking the dog or splitting the atom (or just simply goofing off). The yo-yo is thought to have originated in China where it was first mentioned from about 500 BC. James L Haven and Charles Hettrich received the first US patent back in 1866. However, in 1928 Pedro Flores opened a yo-yo company in Santa Barbara California. By November that year Flores was running his company with 600 workers and producing over 300,000 units daily. The world yo-yo contest was held recently in Florida with John Ando taking this years honors as champion. Back in 1996 it was actually won by a local named Dale Myrberg from Sugarhouse (even set 9 American yo-yo Associated World Records). He was also recently inducted into the American Yo Yo Association Hall Of Fame (yes it actually does exist). Over the years Dale has collected over 3,000 yo-yo's. It all began at the age of 13. He was a rather quick study and progressed to a elevated state of yo winning the state title at 15. To some it might be perceived as a waste of time. To others it teaches practice, patience and persistence!

Ten Best Sports Movies

Everyone has their own personal favorite sports movies. Over the years there have been numerous wonderful sports movies. Listed below would be ten favorites on my list. As follows in no particular order....


Hoosiers
Cinderella Man
Rocky
Caddyshack
Brian's Song
Chariots Of Fire
Remember The Titans
Happy Gilmore
The Waterboy
Tin Cup

...others that are certainly wonderful include: The Natural, Rudy, Miracle, The Longest Yard, Facing The Giants, and Eight Men Out. What are some of your favorite sports movies? Would love to hear!

You Can Run But You Can't Hide

Wednesday definately marked the successful premier of the fifth season and return of Dog The Bounty Hunter. The episode was filled was suspense and drama. Dog and clan encountered a felon with a history of violence, a desperate drug addict cryin out for help and a brave informant willing to risk everything. When the adrenalized action went down every single family member played a critical role. The series has been one of the highest rated reality shows on cable since airing in 2004. Last season averaged nearly 2 million viewers. It is interesting how William Clinton committed adultery (even lied under oath to a federal grand jury) and society still approves of what he does career-wise. In fact its even more interesting how Jesse Jackson has used demeaning racial slurs towards presidential candidate Barack Obama yet noone took him off the air. Talkin serious double standard there. As for Dog yes he might have said something wrong but it was a private family conversation never meant for the public. Yet, the public crucified him. Hasn't he and his family already suffered enough (going the through the whole incident back in Mexico)? Where else on tv will you find a reality show where they are about trying to change people's lives for the better and even pray on tv?

Sounds Of Summer

Looking for something to do? Summer is often the time to get out and definately enjoy the sun. Found a few scheduled events that cut across the musical agenda. So if you need any ideas here's a small place to start here in the along the Wasatch Front. Be sure to check out their authorized website and/or the respective concert venue for more information. As follows...


19 July The Police (Usana)
19 July PBR Bull Riding (Energy Solutions)
19 July Flogging Molly (Salt Air)
21 July John Mayer (Usana)
29 July Cruefest (Usana)
30 July Steve Miller Band (Usana)
1 August Martina McBride (Usana)
4 August James Taylor (Usana)
15 August Cinderella/Warrant/Lynch Mob (Usana)
18 August Jack Johnson (Usana)
19 August Boz Scaggs (Deer Valley)
25 August Sheryl Crow (Usana)
27 August Dave Matthew Band (Usana)
30 August Dwight Yoakam (Deer Valley)
31 August Bob Dylan (Deer Valley)
10 September Marshall Tucker Band (Utah State Fair/ FREE)
20 September Toby Keith (Usana)

Hot Dog 2008 Champ

Just finished watching this year hot dog eating championship on the day we celebrate our independence in the right to pursue our freedoms and personal happiness. The contestants sought their right to pursue gluttony, acid reflex and intestinal discomfort. In this years grueling rematch defending champ Joey Chestnut tried to fend off Takeru Kobayashi who had won the event every year from 2001 to 2006. Apparently, this years regulation time was changed to coincide with the original format from when the event first began. Last year's event was 12 minutes to down as many hot dogs. This year contestants only have 10 minutes. After regulation Chesnut and Kobayashi were tied at 59. Judges decided in a photo finish to have a 5 dog eat off. When the frankfurters were gone (as well as everyone else's appetite) Joey Chestnut retained the coveted "mustard belt". Wonder how they "train" for the event? Binge and purge? Regardless, that is some serious major league eating.

Got some popcorn?

Sick of the price of gas? Are you bored and need something to do? Enjoy a good show? Well grab the popcorn, sit down, kick the feet back and get ready for some entertainment. Whether its a good laugh, some serious drama or major action here's a few shows I came across that you might enjoy that might be a good alternative instead of dropping fifty bucks in the vehicle for a roadtrip.

Speed Racer (out now)
Expelled/No Intelligence Allowed (out now)
Iron Man (out now)
Chronicles Of Narnia/Prince Caspian (16 May)
Indiana Jones (22 May)
Mongol: Life Of Genghis Khan (6 June)
Incredible Hulk (13 June)
Harry Potter/Half Blood Prince (21 Nov)
Batman/The Dark Knight (18 July)
Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3D (8 Aug)

Know of any others I might have missed that look good? Would love to know!

Animation

Most saturday mornings children can be seen planted smack in front of the tv screen watching their favorite cartoon characters while the parents try to sleep in. I remember growing up doing much the same. Over the years my favorite cartoons have changed very little. Those cartoons/characters inviduals might have seen include: Bugs Bunny, Ren & Stimpy; Grape Ape, Pinky & The Brain, Wiley E Coyote, Fred Flintstone, Fat Albert, Scooby Doo, etc. Amongst all the cartoons included are ten of my personal all time favorites...

Homer Simpson

Speed Racer

Spongebob

Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story)

Snoopy

Underdog

Mater (From Cars the movie)

Johnny Quest

Bender (Futurama)

Shrek

Speedy Gonzales

What would be some of your personal favorite cartoon characters?

Six Strings

Earlier in the day there was a discussion of who the best guitarist is. I believe that depends on many factors which includs (criteria, technical, genera, etc). Everyone has their own personal favorites so I decided to include mine as well. Yours might not agree completely with mine but hey this is my blog. In the process I tried to factor in different musical genera's across the board and that they must be living. They are as follows and NOT in any particular order:



Gary Hoey/Rock
Eric Johnson/Rock
Armik/New Age
Eddie Van Halen/Rock
Ottmar Liebert/Flamenco
Neil Zaza/Rock
Christopher Parkening/Classical
Joe Satriani/Rock
Govi/New Age
Eric Clapton/Blues

....would love to hear your thoughts or who would be on your list of top 10 living guitarists.