Grand Weepers and Grim Reapers

Random Pics II

2008-08-24T20:33:00.004-04:00

Random Pics

2008-08-24T19:44:00.003-04:00

Help! NFL Mascot Challenge. Redskins need your help!

2008-07-03T21:29:00.001-04:00

The Washington Redskins have made it to the final round of the Most Fierce Mascot Competition. But, we aren't getting the votes that we need. We need your help. Anyone with love for me, or hatred for the Ravens, please help. Click here and help us vote. C'mon Steelers fans. C'mon Dawg Pound! C'mon Bengals. For the love of god and all things that are Ohio vote!

If you want to vote more than once (yes, its legal) then block your cookies. Go to: Tools > Internet Options > Privacy > Sites and input http://www.sportsline.com into the field.

My Newest Addition

2008-05-10T14:25:00.002-04:00

Global Warming: Where's the Heat?

2008-03-20T22:57:00.001-04:00

I read a new article recently entitled, The Mystery of Global Warming's Missing Heat. The basis of the article is that scientists have been expecting to see a rise in the oceans average temperature but that rise hasn't happened. Here is the first paragraph of the article:

Read More!

Tom Waits - Montreal Jazz Fest (7-3-1981) pt 2

2008-02-17T09:53:00.001-05:00

Part 2. "I Wish I was in New Orleans," and "$29.00 and an Alligator Purse."

Tom Waits - Montreal Jazz Fest (7-3-1981) pt 1

2008-01-26T22:41:00.001-05:00

New Job…No More Mortgages!

2008-01-07T15:46:00.000-05:00

OK, in the rough and tumble world that Grand Weepers lives in jobs are like underwear, they need to be changed often and for the same reason.

That’s a bit of a joke. I actually don’t like changing jobs. In fact I’m not a job hopper at all. Neccesity has dictated that I change jobs so often. But, God willing, all of that is going to change tommorrow. Thats when I start my new job.

Click here to read more!

Joe Gibbs: Coach of the Year?

2007-12-18T14:59:00.000-05:00

In 2006 the Washington Redskins ended the season with a 5-11 record. An uncharacteristically slow offseason netted them very few additions to that same 5-11 squad. They lost a talented Left Guard in Derrick Dockery in free agency as well as a few other veteran players. The starting Quarterback in 2007 was to be Jason Campbell who had only 7 previous starts. Adding insult to injury the Redskins 2007 schedule pitted them against a league high 9 playoff teams from 2006. It is safe to say that the Redskins 2007 team was not expected to do very well. Most projections had them winning from five to seven games in 2007.

Click here to read more!

Attacks on Aid Workers and Foreigners in Sudan

2007-11-30T14:01:00.000-05:00

Are those countries most in need driving away those who want to help?

A few days ago I read the “Muhammad Bear,” story on Confessions of a Closet Republican. Then this morning I read this CNN article indicating that the teacher in question was convicted of the crime of “insulting Islam.” The Sudanese Government sentenced her to 15 days in a women’s prison followed by deportation. But that wasn’t enough for the protesters outside the Sudanese President’s home who brandished swords and sticks and chanted “No Tolerance, Execute her!”

Click here to read the rest!

Confessions of A Closet Republican v.s. The Golden Compass

2007-11-28T20:47:00.000-05:00

My dear friend Incognito has written an excellent post on her blog regarding the prevailing influence of Secularism in our society, and specifically the Disney movie The Golden Compass. This movie is based on Philip Pullman's novel Northern Lights which is the first part of the trilogy, "His Dark Materials." Pullman is an avowed and passionate atheist. In his books God is represented as a fumbling and feeble old man who is eventually killed by the children in the novel.

I have no issues with Pullman's theology. I do have issue with Disney's attempt to hide the secularist overtones in this film. Disney would like you to think that this is an exciting, fun ride for the whole family. They fail to mention that after your kids become interested in the plot they intend to sucker punch you with thier athiest agenda.

Sean Taylor Tribute....you'll be missed!!!

2007-11-27T22:52:00.001-05:00

Sean Taylor Dies

2007-11-27T09:21:00.001-05:00

At 5:30am this morning Sean Taylor's father announced that Sean passed away. Taylor leaves behind an 18 month old daughter and millions of fans.

God rest your soul, Sean!

Redskin's Sean Taylor Shot at Home

2007-11-26T11:55:00.001-05:00

I just received news that Sean Taylor, the starting Free Safety for the Washington Redskins was shot at his home today. Word is that this was the result of an attempted burglary. Taylor was shot in the leg and is in critical condition, presumably from loss of blood.

Information from this horrible article and from The Hogs.net.

Why do I say that the Yahoo article above is horrible? Because, after giving a brief description of the event the author precedes to state, "Taylor has been in trouble numerous times since he was drafted as the No. 5 overall pick in 2004." The majority of the article is a statement about how much trouble Taylor has been in. It's as though the author is trying to insinuate that Taylor himself is somehow to blame in this. Or, as though he is saying that Taylor is somehow a menace, and these things happen to people "like that." Perhaps I'm overreacting?

My prayers and thoughts go to him, his family, and his new baby girl. May God Bless You!

For the latest updates go to this post on my wordpress blog which is more frequently updated.

Monkey Sparkets

2007-11-16T09:08:00.001-05:00

Don't look now but Mrs. Grand Weepers has a new blog. Check out Of Mums and Monkey Sparkets.

Blazing Saddles - Mongo

2007-11-14T13:01:00.001-05:00

Starting with the Left Hand, Part 2

2007-11-13T21:00:00.000-05:00

Now that you have a better understanding of how your left hand should hold the guitar, what do you do with your actual fingers? That's what we will discuss is this section.

One of the key things to remember is that only your fingertips and the pad of your thumb should touch the guitar. The rest of your hand should be clear of the guitar. Of course, some chords (i.e. barre chords) will prohibit this, but it should be your goal in the majority of situations.

Now notice that I said fingertips. You need to make sure that the very tips of your fingers are touching the strings and not the pads of your fingers.

Click here to read more!

Starting with the Left Hand, Part 1

2007-11-12T20:58:00.000-05:00

There are instructional books a'plenty that can start you out with reading music and learning songs or flashy licks. There are few or none, I feel, that given sufficient attention to the proper use of your hands and body. Posture is important. The guitar is a physically demanding instrument with a substantial learning curve for your body. Learning with improper posture and technique can limit your abilities, or worse cause injury.

I will write several articles with a focus on posture, hand position, and proper technique. The first of these will start out with the part of the body that most beginners struggle with; the left hand.

The first thing to keep in mind before we even touch the guitar is that your left hand must be as relaxed as possible while playing and holding the guitar. Click here to read more!

And the winner is....

2007-11-10T12:38:00.000-05:00

...Wordpress! I like wordpress much better. The only thing that I'm not happy about is that I don't have my choice of widgets. However, when I choose to I can upgrade and I will be able to do what I would like. If anyone wants to change thier links to me that would be great.

I'll try to stick with this decision for a while. This version will stay active, but the wordpress blog is the one that I will call home.

The Greatest Generation

2007-11-08T12:51:00.000-05:00

I’ve a bad habit of staying up well past my bed time and watching the Ken Burns documentary “The War,” on PBS. It seems to be running for a few hours every night. This is a powerful documentary and one can’t help but be moved by the images, and stories. There are tales of men whose young wives are finally told that he isn’t coming home; images of dead soldiers, civilians, even children. All of that is powerful and striking. But what is most present in my mind while watching this movie is a clear sense of evilness.

War is hell. The whole point is to kill your enemy. And assuredly American soldiers committed despicable acts. This war was not the “good war,” that it has been called.

Read More!

1977 JC Penny Catalog: 15 minute Lunch Content

2007-11-07T14:47:00.000-05:00

This is great. I received this in my e-mail this morning and then later found the blog that was responsible. The parent of this comedic gem is 15 Minute Lunch. I thank you. I really, really thank you! Apparently the author was cleaning out his attic and found this 1977 JC Penney Catalog.

I won't reporduce the whole post here. I will post a few snippets however. You should go to 15 Minute Lunch to see the whole thing. It's worth it.

Here are a few of my favorites!

Here's how to get your ass kicked in elementary school:

Just look at that belt. It's like a boob-job for your pants. He probably needed help just to lift it into place. The belt loops have to be three inches long, for god's sake. And way to pull your pants up to your armpits, grandpa.

Here's how to get your ass kicked in high school:

This kid looks like he's pretending to be David Soul, who is pretending to be a cop who is pretending to be a pimp that everyone knows is really an undercover cop. Who is pretending to be 15.

Whats Going On? Wordpress and Blogger?

2007-11-07T11:51:00.000-05:00

Yep. Wordpress and Blogger.

I've set up a wordpress blog for Grand Weepers right here. I'm curious to see for myself exactly how the two vary, and which I prefer. The good news for those of you who have links coming from me is that now you will have two! For those of you linking to me don't worry. When I make up my mind I'll let you know which address to use. I may even buy a domain name! Don't change any of your links at this point.

I know that there have been a million Blogger v.s. Wordpress posts, articles, and comparisons out there. But, nothing beats seeing it for yourself. I'll try to keep everyone posted on how I think its going. Issues that I run into, etc.

Thanks!

Shazam!: Different Drummer Part 1

2007-11-06T11:13:00.001-05:00

Where else are you going to find entire episodes of Captain Marvel!?!? Just the opening theme alone makes this one worth it!

Shazam!: Different Drummer Part 2

2007-11-06T11:12:00.001-05:00

Seriously! TV was never better. Lost doesn't have nothing on Shazam!

Redskins at the Halfway Point

2007-11-05T12:32:00.000-05:00

I am a huge Washington Redskins fan. But I live under that shadow of a different NFL team. I'm not in Washington D.C. and so when I watch T.V. and listen to Sports Radio I get to listen to another teams pundits and fans. This team is a team that is a perennial playoff team and usually ends up with a winning record. Yet, every week I listen to their fans complaining and whining that they didn't win convincingly enough. Boo Hoo! It frustrates me to no end to hear fans of teams that are winning double digit games year in and year out complaining.

Now the Washington Redskins are not perennial playoff contenders and rarely have seasons where they win 10+ games. Yet, at 5-3 this year (doubling our wins from last year) I'm starting to hear the whining!

Let's put a few things into perspective. This teams has had an uncanny run of bad luck in terms of injuries. We've lost two starting O-linemen. Our Center, and our new starting Right Guard and Right Tackle are injured. We've been without our best Linebacker. One of our starting Cornerback is out for the year. One of our starting Defensive Ends has missed a few games. Moss, and Portis are have been limited due to injury. Randle El, Smoot, and Cartwright have each missed a game. Now, with those kinds of injuries in any other year we would be lucky to be 2-6.

Now, yesterday we beat, however narrowly, a team on the road. We went into their stadium and were down 7-0 only thirteen seconds into the game. In the second quarter we were down 17-3. Yet, we managed to come from behind and beat a team in their home. How did that happen? It happened because one of our stars finally put the game on their shoulders and won it for us. That star was Clinton Portis! After 36 carries, 194 yards and a touchdown Clinton pulled that game out for us! And who was leading the way? Those same injured and maligned linemen that have been so battered this season.

People keep throwing Gibbs, Williams, and Saunders under the bus. "they are too conservative," or "They don't adjust." What I saw yesterday I confirmed to me that its not true. At the end of the first half with five minutes to go, we ran an unexpected onside kick. If we didn't recover the ball we would have likely lost! Williams has been playing Cover Three and rushing four down linemen all year. Rarely have we blitzed. Yesterday, we sent five and six guys constantly. And, it worked! We didn't get many sacks but we forced errant throws. When we were down 17-3 we didn't get pass wacky, but instead kept pounding their defense and wore them down. Most coaching staffs abandon the run at that point.

Additionally, the three teams that we have lost to have a combined record of 20-3. It's not as though we've been losing games to teams that we should by all means be beating. We are third place in the division but the teams above us have only three losses combined.

We control our own destiny.

But, We have the hardest part of our schedule ahead of us. Can we pull out some victories on the road against a couple of division teams? If so then we are on our way to the playoffs; banged up and crippled, but in the playoffs! If we don't then we will end up 8-8 and third place in the division.

At the beginning of the year I predicted that we would end up 8-8 and on the bubble. I didn't forsee these kind of injuries that we've had. So, if we end up 9-7 with a winning record after suffering those kinds of losses I would have to say that we have over achieved.