Strike 3 Designs Blog - From Web Design to Baseball

All I Want for Christmas is a Giant iPhone

2007-11-05T14:44:00.000-05:00

Please Santa, all I want for Christmas is a giant iPhone, I mean Microsoft Surface for my living room. And if you are feeling extra giving this year please throw in some sort of Microsoft iPod rip-off too. Thanks!

Why Does Google Hate Me?

2007-11-02T18:22:00.001-04:00

Mobile post sent by coryd1866 using Utterz. Replies. mp3

FCC Ruines Satellite Radio

2007-10-29T09:44:00.000-04:00

I have been a long-time subscriber of Sirius Satellite Radio, and love the crystal clear sound and the uninterrupted hours of music. After my fist-generation plug & play unit started declining I replaced it with the NEW Sportster 4 and the difference in quality is unbearable. From the beginning the sound-quality was horrible, lots of static & pink noise in the background, and the installation of the new FM antenna booster on the front windshield is awkward and may be illegal in some states.

After listening to the static for the first hour on my usual ride from upstate NY to Boston, I called the Sirius customer service line. After going through the normal menu choices I get a real person to complain to. The only problem is I can't understand a word he is saying in his broken English, and I get put on hold for over 10 minutes which prompted me to hang-up.

On my second call I get someone who I can understand and she transfered me to a technician. I explained the lack of sound-quality and how I was disappointed in my choice of units and he said that since the purchase of my first-generation unit the FCC stepped in and limited their FM frequency strength, making their broadcasts in the car very poor in most metropolitan areas. He was very helpful and asked if I would like an FM modulator that would plug into my factory radio and eliminate the static for a mere 1 penny. I SAID YES!

So a special thank you to the technician at Sirius for the sweet hook-up, but why is the FCC regulating Satellite Radio? I guess Howard Stern was right all along, F### the FCC!

LeBron James' Man-Crush on Jeter is NOT Helping!

2007-10-05T23:10:00.000-04:00

The Yankees have now dropped the first two games to the Indians since King James professed his ever-dieing love for the Yankee shortstop, and Derek is batting .125 with 0 runs scored and 0 RBIs. In Jeter's defense how can you think of baseball when their is a 6'8" monster in the stands trying to get in your pants. He hasn't been this unlucky at the plate since 1998 when he was dating Crazy Mariah Carrey. Please King, as a long time Yankee fan leave DJ alone, and go back to doing what you do best, AND STOP MAN-CRUSHING JETER!

Sour Apple. Sweet Deal.

2007-09-07T23:02:00.000-04:00

Are you kidding me? Since when does Apple have a sale on anything? I remember all the way back to when I bought my iPhone, oh wait that was only two months ago, telling my friends that the price won't come down, because Apple doesn't do that sort of thing, and now a $200 price reduction on the 8GB iPhone? WOW, who were the Ad Wizards who came up with that one?

Oh, a special thanks to Steve Jobs for the $100 gift card to an Apple Store on behalf of my stupidity for being an early adopter of one of your products! Isn't it in my better interest to return the iPhone that i payed $599, pay the re-stocking fee, and re-buy a NEW iPhone for $399? Just a thought.

On the other hand what a great deal for the the people who don't already own one of these revolutionary phones. If you don't have an iPhone and are thinking of buying one, make the investment, you won't regret it. It is simply the best handheld device I have ever owned.

Later, I'm off to buy the AppleTV with my newly found $100 gift card, I must be a sucker! Thanks again Steve.

The Graphic Avenger - Trust Your Graphic Designer

2007-09-03T01:38:00.001-04:00

I need the Graphic Avenger to stop by my cube sometime!

Why Would You Want to be a Graphic Designer?

2007-09-03T00:34:00.000-04:00

When I graduated from college with a BA in Graphic Communications, I had dreams of becoming rich as a Graphic Designer. Two months after graduating I had my first dose of the real world. My resume was sent to over 50 companies in the Upstate NY and Boston area with not one call back. Even cold calling netted zero results. So to make ends meet I ended up installing car stereos for a year, working at a car wash, and substitute teaching at my former High School, a far cry from my original plans of showing up on MTV Cribs.

With my parents money, because the car wash didn't have a scholarship program, I went to a three month long training course on how to design and develop websites. I knew from the very first day this was my calling, but I still had no job offer after the three month long training course. So I went back to substitute teaching, AWESOME!

While being the best substitute in the MHS school district, I was doing freelance jobs here and there for FREE, just to get my name out there and finally I caught my break. I was hired as a Web & Graphic Designer by Atlantic Power after two straight years of searching. Thank you Gary Bucciantinni!

Currently my work is all web-based, with an occasional poster or brochure thrown into the mix. I love my job and the people I work with, but I do question kids going into college right now to become Graphic Designers. Maybe I'm jaded from my past experiences, but I would never want someone to go through what I had too, to get their first job out of college.

Graphic Design is a hard field to break into, but if you have the portfolio to back up your strong convictions, you will make it far in the beautiful world of Web & Graphic Design.

How did you catch your break?

Joba Chamberlain - The Next Clemens or Rivera?

2007-08-23T12:10:00.000-04:00

Joba Chamberlain has certainly made a huge impact on the Yankees bullpen over the last couple of weeks. Touting a 95-99 mph fastball, a plus slider, and impeccable control for a power pitcher, the question remains, will he be the next Clemens or the next Rivera?

His numbers so far show that he has the ability to come out of the bullpen and shut-down a team for a couple of innings, but does he have the stamina to throw deep into a game as a starter? I believe the sky is the limit for this young pitcher, but if he excels in the closer role I think you have to keep him there. The Red Sox dealt with the same predicament with Jonathan Papelbon earlier on in spring training, and in the end the organization decided to keep Papelbon in the pen. Smart move? I would say yes.

What do you think? Should the Yankees keep Joba in the pen or let him get his feet wet as a starter next season?

Game Six of the 1986 World Series with Nintendo RBI Baseball

2007-08-13T12:09:00.001-04:00

This goes out to Red Sox Nation. Special thanks to Conor Lastowka who created this awesome video

My Ears File Restraining Order Against Joe Morgan's Mouth

2007-08-05T23:03:00.000-04:00

Thats right I'm filing a Restraining Order on behalf of my ears against Joe Morgan's mouth and any words uttered about baseball. How can somebody who has been in the baseball world for so long and is a Hall of Fame second basemen babble on about nothingness for an entire game and pass it off as baseball knowledge. Morgan must be black-mailing ESPN for keeping him on the air for so long, but the madness has to stop. I begging ESPN... Please end your viewers misery and FIRE JOE, he is a joke!

Even this Yankee Fan was Routing for the Red Sox Last Night

2007-07-24T12:23:00.000-04:00

Scoreboard watching took on a new theme for me last night while I was watching my Yankees take down a perennial power in the Kansas City Royals. I was flipping back and forth between the Yankees and Red Sox games like any other night, but this time I was more interested in how Jon Lester was pitching, rather then to see if the BoSox were losing.

Lester, who should be the baseball story of the year, took the mound last night against the Cleveland Indians for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer 11 months ago. His line read six innings pitched, five hits, two runs, three walks and six K's. Now I would be lieing if I didn't route for Timlin to give up a few home runs and blow the game, but I was happy to see Lester get the "W" in his first start back.

Artie Lange + Howard Stern = 0 Yankee World Series Rings

2007-07-19T11:34:00.000-04:00

While I am a long-time listener of the Howard Stern Show on Sirius Satellite Radio, I have made an interesting discovery today. Since Artie Lange replaced Jackie "The Jokeman" Martling in October of 2001, the Yankees have failed to capture their 27th World Series title.

From 1996-2000 BA (Before Artie), the Yankees appeared in and won four World Series Championships with a combined record of 16-3 against the Braves (1996), Padres (1998), Braves (1999), and Mets (2000). From 2001-2006 AA (After Artie), the Yankees have been in two World Series with a record of 5-8, losing to two expansion teams, the Diamondbacks (2001) and the Marlins (2003), in the process.

Call me crazy but if that fat, drunk, heroine attic is ruining my Yankees chances of a 27th title, I need to start a petition to get him thrown off the air. Sorry Artie, I love you, but I love my Yankees more!

What is Your Greatest Little League Moment?

2007-07-12T10:51:00.000-04:00

Their is nothing better then reliving glory days with your friends over a beer on a summer day. My Little League moment happened during the opening round of the District 12 All-Star tournament in Rotterdam, NY when I was 12 years old.

Leading-off the game I laced a ball past the third baseman for a double. In my second chance I ripped a triple to the wall down the right field line, thank god the bases were only 60' apart. My third and fourth atbats I singled up the middle, making me a home run away from hitting the cycle. In my fifth and final atbat I took the first offering over the fence in right to complete the cycle, the odd thing is I never had hit a home run before in my life, I was more of a line drive hitter. I ended the game 5-for-5 with two singles, a double, triple, and home run, with 5 RBI's and 5 runs scored, and we won the game 11-8.

I have been blessed to extend my baseball carrer through college, but this was my greatest baseball memory. Share yours!

I Don't Think That One Has The Distance!

2007-07-10T22:54:00.000-04:00

Like the old saying goes, "Don't send a man to do the job when a 6 year old can do it better." All this guy had to do is hit a baseball off a tee, which 6 and 7 year olds do on a daily basis during the spring and summer months, into the outfield for some big bucks.

A 280 foot shot would have made him and instant millionire, but all the "Juice" in the world, or just Bond's locker couldn't have made this guy profitable on this day. On his first attempt he grounded out weakly to the mound, and hit grounders up the middle on his next two tries. Nice job buddy, next time leave it to the professionals, like your 1st grade daughter.

Vlad Wins HR Derby, But Who is the Guy in the Jordan Shirt?

2007-07-09T23:05:00.000-04:00

Vladimir Guerrero took out Alex Rios in the finals of the 2007 Home Run Derby, but who the heck is that guy in the 80's airbrush Jordan Haircuts t-shirt? Not only did this guy show up for Guerrero's celebration, but he was also wiping the brow of Albert Pujols with the Puerto Rican flag and rubbing elbows with "Big Papi" David Ortiz on the sidelines.

So my question remains, WHO IS THIS GUY? and how do I get into his posse.

Geeks and Jocks Unite

2007-07-09T16:01:00.001-04:00

Looks like Lord Vader needs to work on his mechanics.

Dan Patrick "Come On Down"

2007-07-09T15:28:00.000-04:00

Dan Patrick announced today on his mid-day radio show that he is leaving ESPN to pursue "Other Interests". If you have been listening to the rumor-mill lately you know that Dan's name has come up in numerous discussions as the replacement for Bob Barker on the Price is Right. Dan's final radio broadcast will be on Friday, Aug. 17, and I'm not sure when taping starts for the Price is Right, but I bet its sometime after the 17th of August.

Thank you Dan for all the SportsCenter memories and for getting me through my long days at work on ESPN Radio, maybe someday we'll here an "En Fuego" from the stage of the Price is Right.

ESPN Press Release:
Dan Patrick To Depart ESPN

Dan Patrick will be leaving ESPN, it was announced today by Patrick and Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production. Patrick’s final radio broadcast will be on Friday, Aug. 17. The mutual agreement will allow Patrick to pursue new interests outside of ESPN, and will bring to an end his involvement with ESPN’s radio, television and magazine outlets.

The week of Patrick’s final show, ESPN Radio will look back at memorable moments from the show, in addition to featuring special guest appearances and interviews.

Patrick said: “I’ve spent a third of my life at ESPN. All my children were born while I was employed here. I feel privileged to have had this opportunity and I have extremely mixed emotions about leaving. With that said, I told ESPN that I believe it’s time for me to try something different, something that will also be challenging and rewarding. While I’m not sure what that will be, I am grateful to ESPN for its willingness to allow me to pursue new endeavors.”

Williamson added, "Dan has accomplished so much over the past two decades at ESPN and fans and newsmakers have turned to him for his steady and trusted approach. We wish him the very best."

Patrick has hosted ESPN Radio’s Dan Patrick Show since 1999. He also recently served as host of the NBA studio program on ABC, NBA Countdown, and the network’s game broadcasts, including the NBA Finals. He was a SportsCenter anchor from 1989-2006, and has written ‘Outtakes’ for ESPN The Magazine. Patrick was named National Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA) in 2000, and received a Sports Emmy Award in the Studio Host category in 1998. Prior to ESPN, Patrick, a graduate of the University of Dayton, was a sports anchor/reporter for CNN (1983-89).

Teamwork at its Finest!

2007-07-09T13:10:00.001-04:00

This is a great example of players and umpires coming together to help out the grounds crew in Colorado. Great to see this kind of cooperation.

My iPhone - Take 2

2007-07-08T10:40:00.000-04:00

I had to take back my original iPhone yesterday to the Apple Store for a replacement, after having some hardware issues with the touch screen. I explained my situation to one of the guys at the store and after I demonstrated the problem, he simply handed me a new iPhone and said if you have any more problems, just bring it back in. Thats it!

I was ready to wait a couple days while it was sent out for repair, I was wondering if I was going to get a replacement phone in the meantime, would their be a charge for the repair, NO! They just took out my SIM card and put it in the new phone and sent me on my way. Great customer experience, and still a great phone. Thanks Apple!

iPhone Day

2007-07-06T13:39:00.001-04:00

WSOP Main Event Starts Today!

2007-07-06T10:25:00.001-04:00

If you have ever sat down at a poker table, I bet you have dreamed of being at the final table of the World Series of Poker's Main Event. The $10,000 buy-in to the No-Limit Texas Hold'em tournament could net you over $12,000,000 and the coveted wsop main event bracelet. But before you call your financial adviser you must navigate the 9,000+ person field, which includes seasoned poker pros, online unknowns, and flat-out amateurs who will call any bet, no matter how bad their hand is hoping to suck-out on their 4-outer.

Even though it has been a while since a pro has taken the event, the first couple of days will separate the Phil Hellmuth's of the world from the amateurs. But the thought of winning the tournament as an unknown like Chris Moneymaker did in 2003, gives hope to those of us who still have to hold down a 9 to 5 to pay the bills, but I think this year the pro players luck will change. My prediction for the tournament is that a pro will win and I will take Card Player Magazine's 2006 Player of the Year Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi. Good Luck to everyone who is playing today!

Let Baseball Police Itself

2007-07-05T13:39:00.000-04:00

Thats a Warning! Is the first thing you hear now a days coming out of the mouth of an umpire after a player is hit by a pitch after a homerun, a hard slide in the field, or if their are words passed between the players on the way to first base. But why?

For years baseball has been policing itself and everything seems to get worked out on the field. If you issue a warning before a team has a chance to retaliate or get even, I believe this creates more anger and hostility, which will carry over to another game or elevate during the course of the present game until something does happen.

So my question remains why not wait until the team retaliates to issue the official warning? That way baseball players can deal with the situation and it ends there.

Before I get comments from umpires saying that I am wrong and this is why, let me give you some background on me. I am an NCAA baseball umpire, I played DII college baseball, and I have coached college baseball. So i have seen the game from all angles.

Top Ten Baseball Fights

2007-07-05T10:09:00.001-04:00

How can you not love baseball!

Remember this Kid?

2007-07-02T16:47:00.000-04:00

Danny Almonte, the phenom from the Bronx Little League team, who cheated his way to the most coveted pre-teen baseball crown in the world, was just released today from the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League.

I remember seeing this kid pitch on ESPN back in the day and wondering if he was for real. Not many 12 year-olds can throw an MLB equivalent fastball of over 100 mph and spot-up a sweeping curveball. Believe it or not it is a regular occurrence in the Little League Baseball world to question a 12 year-olds birth certificate during the All-Star portion of the season. Reason being some kids are still kids and look like kids and some kids look like men with facial hair and their wife and kids in the stands, just kidding.

Not that I like to see someone get released from any baseball team, but this one puts a smile on my face.

iPhone Lives-up to the Hype

2007-07-01T09:29:00.000-04:00

While some people decided to wait in long lines, before the 6:00pm unavailing of the iPhone, others decided to wait and see. Well I didn't stand in a line, but I'm glad I didn't wait either. This phone or should I say hand-held computer, surpasses every smart phone ever produced in my opinion.

The first thing you will notice is the speed of the phone. While my Treo 650 labored on email downloads and switching between palm programs, the iPhone is seamless, never slowing-up no matter how many commands you throw at it. The user-interface is great. A large touch-screen with graphical icons, and one button that always brings you back to your home screen, which comes in very handy.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs said that this was also the best iPod they have ever developed and its hard to disagree with him on this as well. This is definitely a feature that you must experience for yourself, in order to fully appreciate it. The ease at which you can view and load your songs, albums, podcasts and videos is awesome. And being able to depend on your finger instead of a stylus is a bonus in my book.

The last thing I'm going to comment on is the Safari Browser. While it is absolutely 100% better then any other phone web browser on the market today, I am feeling a little greedy about this one. I would like them to be able to support mpegs and flash on the browser, but as of right now they do not. Hopefully Apple will have some updates for this phone through iTunes to cover some of the gaps users will find in the upcoming months, but even if they don't this is the best phone I have ever owned. Thanks Apple!