The Big Red Blog

Bike It

2008-07-02T07:40:00.002-05:00

I'm not a biker - I'm a pedestrian. I understand the appeal of the bike, but I don't have the dedication or the constitution to bike to work. I take my life into my own hands just walking, I figure I'll leave biking to the better equipped.

Except....

As gas prices rise I see more and more of the "accidental biker." I've determined that they're accidental because they didn't intend to bike, but due to circumstances beyond their control they're biking. And they bike in the most bizarre get-ups: suit pants and a muscle shirt and no helmet. A dress that is hiked up, sandals and no helmet.

Mostly they don't wear helmets. And while the old adage about something being as easy as riding a bike, apparently bike riding isn't as easy as one might think. As a casual observer I see a lot of wobbling on bikes too big for people on bikes too small for peple, a lot of fast pedaling without getting anywhere and the dreaded drift.

Just this week I've seen people nearly die, but I don't think they were aware how close they came to certain death. And they did it in a sundress and cute sandals. If you're riding a bike, you might take a second look at it to make sure it is going to work best for you. Learn about how the gears work and for the love of all things good, wear a helmet.

I don't care if you dress like a bumble bee and wear clicky shoes. Mostly I care if you laid out by a Prius.

BRP 86: I Have A List Of Grievances Edition

2008-06-29T19:40:00.002-05:00

This week Derek, Deeps and I tackle the latest episodes of In Plain Sight, Doctor Who, The Middleman, Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Fear Itself. Plus we have phone calls from F13 of Cinema Diabolica, Brother D from Mail Order Zombie and Aaron from Paperbag Radio!

And a reminder that next week is Troll 2 vs. Manos the Hands of Fate for a decision - what movie is worse?

Listen to this week's episode.

If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions. Or give us a call at 206-202-0197.

Subscribe to the podcast with iTunes or your favorite podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.

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Creepers

2008-06-27T07:46:00.003-05:00

Last week we had our old gross bathroom floor demolished and new swanky tile floor was installed. Normally, we try to do home improvement projects ourselves but sometimes it is best to hire a pro.

The pros were done in like four days which was fantastic. And now I have a lovely new floor that is even and easy to clean. Plus it looks about 10,000 times better.

Of course now, I'm looking at the old bathroom counter which has seen better days. And then the paint could use some touching up - maybe it would be easier to just repaint the whole thing. And the tile in the shower surround might need a little TLC.

Or we could demo out the rest and do something new!

Luckily, I've volunteered to help friends paint at their house this weekend. So by Monday I might have let go of my thirst for destruction. Or at least Deeps will have taken some time to hide the crowbar.

BRP 85: Enjoyed On Two Levels Edition

2008-06-22T20:19:00.001-05:00

This week Derek, Deeps and I chat about pancake recipes and Fear Itself; we determine if The Venture Brothers can ever be too nerdy; we get our first real episode of In Plain Sight; and we get a little behind-the-scenes info about Doctor Who from Aaron at Paperbag Radio!

Then we review two new shows - The Middleman and Secret Diary of a Call Girl. One is quirky fun with charm to spare. The other... has Billie Piper.

And we get very deep when discussing the 1975 Gene Hackman thriller Night Moves. And we announce a special Big Red Film Festival event - Troll 2 vs. Manos the Hands of Fate.

Listen to this week's episode.

If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions. Or give us a call at 206-202-0197.

Subscribe to the podcast with iTunes or your favorite podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.

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BRP 84: Love Me Some Gene Hackman Edition

2008-06-16T07:42:00.002-05:00

We're back after our two-week (or one show) break. Deeps, Derek and I are fired up to talk about Fear Itself, Swingtown, Charlie Jade and In Plain Sight.

Then I get reminiscent about Chicago when talking about My Boys. And finally we tackle favorites Doctor Who and the sublime Venture Brothers. Plus we announce the next installment in the Big Red Film Festival - Night Moves and apologize to listener Jacki for running too long!

Listen to this week's episode.

If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions. Or give us a call at 206-202-0197.

Subscribe to the podcast with iTunes or your favorite podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.

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Dust and debris

2008-06-13T14:20:00.003-05:00

Next week we're doing a little project in our third floor bathroom - new tile floors. The old tile is okay, however it is small, hard to clean, and has not been white since before we bought the place. Tasteful "Laguna Bay" (soft sandy color) will replace 1 inch hexagons with 1 foot squares.

This requires a very minor disruption to our lives as we move downstairs for a few nights while the handymen do their business. Normally, we'd do a project like this ourselves but I figured given our full-time jobs and other obligations, we should just job this one out.

Not to worry - I plan on not hiring a landscaper and to attempt to prune back privets that have grown to be over 17 feet tall. These are trade-offs that one must make.

In other news, my friends Mark and Greg are totally re-doing their kitchen in dramatic fashion. I've been following it eagerly online since they've been blogging their experience. I've also been meddling, like I do, and offering lots of suggestions for tiles and paint and cabinets.

Frankly, they are both holding up better than I do(as are their kitties) in such circumstances.

Last year we had 3 days of disruption when new counters were installed in the kitchen and I was a raving banshee. I'm trying to be better about the tile floors in the master bath. Luckily, we have another bathroom - so that will probably be okay.

Except when it isn't and I go crazy again.

Ponytail Season

2008-06-10T06:27:00.003-05:00

So on Friday it was like 55-60. On Saturday it was 90. On Sunday it was around 100.

I'm not blogging as much because it is so damn hot, I'm spending quality time huddled around my little window unit. We usually get a few hot days in New England, but this is probably the hottest it has been since we moved here from Chicago - a city known for brutally hot summers.

Mostly I sweat, then I take a shower, then I sweat some more. It's pretty glamorous. I'm hoping not to bake to death on my commute to work. That's my goal for the day.

I've made peace with my sweatiness. I can only hope others will make peace with it as well. And I'll have a ponytail until September. That's just how I roll.

BRP 83: Let me toenails grow edition

2008-06-01T15:28:00.002-05:00

This week we briefly outline some problems commuting around Boston this week and then talk about three hours of LOST, Spelling Bee coverage, and the return of The Venture Brothers.

Just a reminder, we're taking June 8 off so we'll be back with episode 84 on June 15.

Listen to this week's episode.

If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions. Or give us a call at 206-202-0197.

Subscribe to the podcast with iTunes or your favorite podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.

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Never be afraid to have a Plan C

2008-05-28T06:11:00.003-05:00

So I have a plan about how to get home if there is a terrorist attack while I'm at the office. This might sound weird and a little bleak, but in fairness I also had a plan in case we were attacked by Russians in the early 80s. Think Red Dawn. I was nine.

Anyway, the plan is good to have because "terrorist" can easily turn into "when the MBTA fails at every turn" which happens more often than you might think.

Last night I was happy to have some plans in place. Plan A is full blown disaster plan - I walk up Massachusetts Avenue for approximately seven miles until I'm close to home. Plan B is the inconvenience plan - I walk to Kendall Square and hang out at the mall and wait for Deeps to show up and meet me for dinner.

I implemented that plan last night when a fire on the T shut down Red Line service for a good long while. Once I saw a flood of people crossing the bridge towards the MGH stop I knew I'd have to keep hiking.

But while I was walking across the bridge, as dark clouds loomed and the rain gently fell I started to wonder if it was really wise to be walking on a big metal bridge during storm - especially when I suspected there might be lightning. That's when I started to formulate Plan C. Call my work buddies to see if anyone is still in the neighborhood.

Plan C means I hole up in a nice pub, sip some whiskey and wait out the delays with my friends. It's a good plan, I don't see what could possibly go wrong.

BRP 82: Birthday Boy and More Finales Edition

2008-05-26T14:03:00.000-05:00

Derek joins the rest of us in our early, middle thirties (despite my assertions that he's just turned 21 and that I regularly gave him bathtub gin) and to mark the occasion we complain about a weak end to a rough television season. We assess how the strike affected finales for Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother, Reaper, House, and Bones.

Then Deeps and I chat - well, I go on a small tirade - about a little film called Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Listen to this week's episode.

If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions. Or give us a call at 206-202-0197.

Subscribe to the podcast with iTunes or your favorite podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.

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I eat your plants! I eat them up!

2008-05-22T06:20:00.002-05:00

Hoggy!
Originally uploaded by nopity.

This is Hoggy. He lives under my shed. He also loves to nibble on my plants.

He's kind of cute, but he's also a bit destructive. I opted not to plant any tomatoes this year (one if his favorites to take a single bite from) and focus on my peppers. Undaunted, he's been burrowing around in my veggie patch.

And I think he's been snacking on my hostas.

Still, I don't know if I can evict him. I may resort to using mothballs to deter him before I have to call The Man.

The cheapest blog post

2008-05-21T20:04:00.002-05:00

Baby ducks!
Originally uploaded by nopity.

Sure it is easy - but can you deny the cutness of baby ducks? I didn't think so.

Surely this makes up for my lack of a turkey photo?

BRP 81: Finales Phase One Edition

2008-05-18T17:44:00.001-05:00

It's that special time of the year - season finales! And we're ready to take apart finales for The Office and Supernatural. Then we roll into regular favorites like LOST, How I Met Your Mother and Reaper; the latter two are recent renewals for the fall.

While we're talking about fall we look at some up fronts and wonder if we can do an adequate preview in the future.

Then we field a phone call from Bill at Outside The Cinema. You could call us and be cool too: 206-202-0197.

Listen to this week's episode.

If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions.

Subscribe to the podcast with iTunes or your favorite podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.

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Tree People

2008-05-14T07:01:00.002-05:00

I ratted out my maple tree yesterday.

The tree in front of our house has always been a little bit... off. It juts into the street at an angle, which is fine, but it drops a lot of stuff on the street. Like enormous, huge branches. We've been lucky nobody has been parked under the tree when that happens.

So after seeing another hunk of stuff fall off the tree on Monday I called the Tree Warden yesterday. I thought the Tree Warden might have a stern talk with the tree or perhaps get it to shape up.

But then I saw the big green X on the tree when we got home last night.

Deeps: Why is there an X on the tree.
Me: I called the town about the tree.
Deeps: What does the green X mean?
Me: I think it means mulch.
Deeps: We are sorry,tree.
Me: We are sorry, tree. I watered you but I think you are sick.
Deeps: I know you don't want to be known as a tree killer.
Me: I didn't kill the tree!
Deeps: You dropped a dime on the tree.
Me: What if the pine trees in the back find out?
Deeps: I wouldn't garden alone for a while.

BRP 80: A Plea For Good Hair Edition

2008-05-11T18:00:00.001-05:00

This week Derek, Deeps and I give our somewhat spoilery review of Iron Man before diving into the magic of sweeps including LOST, The Office, How I Met Your Mother, Gossip Girl, This American Life and 30 Rock.

And we field calls from Brother D of MailOrderZombie fame and Freddy from Night Of The Living Podcast. Would you like to call us? Just dial 206-202-0197.

Listen to this week's episode.

If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions.

Subscribe to the podcast with iTunes or your favorite podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.

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Battle of twits

2008-05-07T07:45:00.004-05:00

We were driving in to work on Monday - I was getting a drop-off near the T - when I spotted something that sent my heart aflutter.

Me: Oh My God!
Deeps: What?
Me: (pointing excitedly) Stop the car!
Deeps: I'm in the middle of the road.
Me: Pull over in the parking lot.
Deeps: You shouldn't yell and point in my face while I'm driving.
Me: But there's a turkey!
Deeps: What?
Me: Look!

We observed an enormous male turkey hanging out under a low tree. He was staring at an office building near Alewife.

Me: That is the biggest turkey I've ever seen.
Deeps: How many turkeys have you seen?
Me: I grew up in Indiana, so I've see a few. Also peacocks.
Deeps: That's weird.
Me: Drive over by the turkey, I want to take a picture.
Deeps: For what?
Me: The internet!
Deeps: We need to go to work. You stay away from the turkey.
Me: But... if I don't take the picture then I'll never make it on the deadly turkey watch section of Universal Hub.
Deeps: What a tragedy.
Me: I'm letting Adam Gaffin know that you hate Universal Hub.
Deeps: I don't hate Universal Hub. Besides, that turkey looks big and angry.
Me: That's how all turkeys look!
Deeps: I wouldn't know.
Me: I think Adam loves turkeys and would like to see this turkey.
Deeps: Haven't been featured for a while, have you?
Me: No.
Deeps: You can't engineer interest...
Me: I think I can with that turkey picture.

Today I saw Canadian Geese in the parking lot, but no turkey. If only I could get a picture of the geese fighting the turkey....

BRP 79: Are You Being Punny Edition

2008-05-04T18:29:00.001-05:00

This week Derek, Deeps and I address ugly glasses on The Office, the morning after on How I Met Your Mother, and underutilized Dennehys on 30 Rock. Plus we take a look at lava monsters on Doctor Who and talk timelines on LOST.

Then we roll into a little light video game review of Mario Kart for the Wii!

Listen to this week's episode.

If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions.

Subscribe to the podcast with iTunes or your favorite podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.

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End of an era

2008-05-02T06:31:00.003-05:00

Since yesterday marked the start of May, I turned off the heat.

Right now, the house is sitting in the... okay, low 60s. And I see on the news that it is currently in the 40s and raining. So there's that.

This may be a pyrrhic victory. Well played, Nature. Well played.

Because happiness is a fleeting thing

2008-05-01T06:21:00.003-05:00

Last night I met up with a few friends after work to have a drink and enjoy some cheap Happy Hour bar food. It's tougher to find discounts than you might think.

There were three of us and as we waited for our forth we ordered some drinks and some hideous bar snacks: things covered in cheese and things you dip in cheese. These are separate and distinct items.

We were able to slide in an order before the 5:30 Happy Hour cut-off point. Our friend didn't arrive until after 6.

Me: You've missed Happy Hour!
Friend: What? It's only six!
Me: Well according to this place Happy Hour runs from 2:30 to 5:30.
Friend: That's not very convenient.
Me: I would agree. But at least they discount some of the food for that time.
Friend: But not the drinks?
Me: I don't think you can do that in Massachusetts. You can only discount the food.
Friend: None of this seems very happy at all.
Me: Times are tough and we merely pursue happiness, there are no guarantees we will catch up to it.
Friend: I was hoping to catch up to some discounted nachos.
Me: They were delicious and they went quickly.
Friend: Like happiness.

Of course I'm interested

2008-04-28T20:53:00.002-05:00

I landed Saturday morning after flying all night from San Francisco. I was pretty out of sorts for most of the day. Sunday morning I ran a few errands at the grocery store before settling down to make the usual Sunday brunchcast spread.

Deeps woke up very late, claiming he hadn't slept well while I was away. Whatever gets you through the day, dear.

Sometime around 11 AM he started the soft sell.

Deeps: Did you read anything about Mario Kart?
Me: Not really. I heard it was coming out.
Deeps: Do you think you might want to play it?
Me: Is it cooperative?
Deeps: Not really. But it's supposed to be a really fun racing game.
Me: I like racing games.
Deeps: We have that old one that you don't play.
Me: I don't really like the controls.
Deeps: I think you might like the game. It could be fun for us to play.
Me: I guess we could rent it.
Deeps: Yeah, if we wait a while I guess we could rent it.
Me: That sounds good to me.
Deeps: So you're interested in the game?
Me: Sure!

He wandered off to get dressed while I figure out what shows we'd talk about. Sometime around 12 he announced he was going to "run errands."

Sometime around 12:45 Deeps rolled into the house with a big grin on my face.

Deeps: I found it!
Me: What?
Deeps: I had to go to Watertown but I found the game.
Me: What game?
Deeps: Mario Kart!
Me: Oh the game I wanted?
Deeps: You said you were interested.

BRP 78: Hair Continuity Edition

2008-04-27T16:11:00.003-05:00

This week our cups runneth over with good comedy and interesting drama - Derek, Deeps and I tackle Moonlight (okay, that's Derek), Doctor Who, Supernatural, LOST, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, and 30 Rock.

Then I share a story about making poor food choices when meeting new people (I ordered garlic fries, but the fellas from Cinema Diabolica didn't hold it against me) and talk about how I accidentally watched Criminal Minds.

If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions.

Meet our callers: Bill from Outside the Cinema and Brother D from Mail Order Zombie.

Listen to this week's episode.

Subscribe to the podcast with iTunes or your favorite podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.

Subscribe to Big Red Podcast by Email

Where the streets are paved with gold

2008-04-23T18:18:00.003-05:00

So I'm in San Francisco for business - I'm learning a lot, I'm meeting cool people and I'm eating some pretty awesome food.

I found a Beard Papa and man, I'm glad I don't live too close to the one in Boston. Cause I'd have to buy bigger pants.

Yesterday I took the BART to visit my podcast pals from Cinema Diabolica. I walked down the stairs into a pretty gleaming white station.

It was spacious and well-lit and smelled very nice. I noticed a woman mopping in a corner and she mentioned to a colleague that the floor smelled nice because the floor cleaner was scented with pineapple.

I have never found pineapple scents on the T. If you're lucky all you smell is old garlic.

Anyway, as I waited in the station I noticed that people queued up in line to get on the train. Forming a quiet, orderly line? What? I was confused.

Then I was stunned when I got on the train - it has carpeting. And plush, upholstered seats. And none of it was hideously discolored or smelly. Astonishing!

As best as I can tell, I think the T is made from concrete and urine. Sure, the BART is much more expensive than the T. I think I spent about $7 to get to and from my destination. The T costs under $2.00 to ride anywhere in the greater Boston area.

I mentioned the incredible cleanliness to my friend and then told her the price. She suggested she'd accept the vomit and stench of the T if she didn't have to pay $7 for a round-trip.

The sad part is that I think we'll eventually have to pay $7 for a round-trip and still be stuck with the stink.

BRP 77: He'll have to wear a cone edition

2008-04-20T17:25:00.001-05:00

This week we field phone calls! We talk about the return of Doctor Who! We analyze new episodes of How I Met Your Mother, The Office and 30 Rock. Plus we tackle the game-changing season finale of Torchwood.

If you enjoy the show, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley Podcast Alley? We appreciate it! Then visit us at PopSyndicate.com/forums to participate in lively discussions.

Meet our callers: F13 and DZ from Cinema Diabolica and Aaron from Paperbag Radio.

Listen to this week's episode.

Subscribe to the podcast with iTunes or your favorite podcatcher. Don't forget to leave us some iTunes feedback.

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Drunk dialing

2008-04-18T06:25:00.002-05:00

I don't think I've ever drunk dialed anyone. I know it is a popular thing to do. It's probably because I don't drink much anymore.

But last night I went out for drinks with a few friends and at some point the topic of a hair stylist came up (quelle surprise). I handed over a number.

Then finding a good doctor came up. I handed over a number.

By the end of the night, my friends were huddled around my cell phone, scrolling through the list and adding numbers to their phone. So the young drunk dial, the old sip our drinks and swap phone numbers for a good doctor.

Dog Days

2008-04-17T06:22:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I walked to the local train station - it is a bit of a hike, but it is pretty. People were out running and biking and I strolled along listening to podcasts.

Somewhere near Alewife Brook I saw a guy with a dog have a run-in with the goose. The dog was on the smallish side and the goose saw a window.

Wings spread, bill parted, the goose charged and honked and dog and man beat feet. The goose waddled over to the small pond and hopped in the water. The dog cowered at the edge of the brook as the goose looked on.

I giggled and I feel pretty confident that the goose smirked.