The Big Red Blog

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.

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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.

BRP 76: Shame Spiral Edition

2008-04-13T16:29:00.001-05:00

This week we recorded the Big Red Podcast twice! Yeah, that first take got eaten due to a technical snafu. After a few weeks off we got around to talking about My Name is Earl, 30 Rock, The Office, Scrubs, HIMYM, Torchwood, the return of Wire in the Blood and Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures.

And we get excited about our forums at www.popsyndicate.com/forums and share our new comment line number: 206-202-0197.

Why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley Podcast Alley? We appreciate it!

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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Welcome Back

2008-04-11T07:53:00.002-05:00

We're firing up the tubes this weekend to record a fresh episode of the Big Red Podcast. I'm already heartened by last night's episode of The Office. I can only hope that our modest show will recover from a hiatus as quickly.

After two weeks off we'll be back to talk TV, mini-upfronts, and probably make fun of Torchwood. Plus there will be waffles!

Listen to our diamond episode #75.

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

Oh and we have a forum! Just go to Popsyndicate.com/forums and look for Big Red Podcast.

Happy Hour

2008-04-10T05:59:00.004-05:00

Tonight the NBC Thursday night comedies are back.

That golden hour with 30 Rock and The Office make me squee with delight. Also, I heard Boston might creep up to 70 today.

With all these happy developments, I will announce in advance that there will be taquitos for dinner! Good day indeed.

You pays your money and you takes your chances

2008-04-08T06:24:00.004-05:00

Me: I'm putting the snow boots away.
Deeps: Really?
Me: Yeah. I'm really going to do it.
Deeps: But it isn't June yet.
Me: I'm saying I think the snow is over.
Deeps: It's still cold.
Me: I know. But I'm betting against snow.
Deeps: As long as you don't put away the warm coats.
Me: Are you crazy? It isn't June yet.

There Will Be Mulch

2008-04-07T07:58:00.002-05:00

Earlier in the week I determined that we needed to do some serious yard clean up. After a gross and wet winter, we had accumulated a lot of random debris in the front garden and back yard.

It poured on Friday, it drizzled on Saturday then turned nicer later in the afternoon. Sunday seemed ideal.

Except it was gray, drizzley and 40 degrees. Some member of the clean-up committee complained that it was too cold. I pointed out that our neighbor had been out doing the same work with a light jacket while we were bundled up in coats and scarves.

"It is a well-documented fact that he is tougher than I am," the party member know as Deeps replied.

We worked anyway, but opted to skip raking out the beds (again!). We'll do that later in the week when the temps break 50 and the sun comes out.

In the meantime I can keep myself occupied with tales I can spin around the weird stuff found in the Pachysandra: a pen from the Burlington Marriott (functional), an application for a dance competition (soggy), a water-logged compass from LL Bean (still appeared functional), and several candy wrappers. That's what you get for living too close to a school.

It seemed like a good idea at the time

2008-04-03T06:29:00.002-05:00

After some very polite pestering, I decided to give forums a chance. So you can now find a forum for Big Red Podcast over at PopSyndicate.com, a great source for pop culture news and reviews.

Now you may be a lurker - which is good - but I'd be sad if nobody showed up to our party. So please feel free to visit the new forum, you can register pretty easily to be a member and share your thoughts with us in yet another way.

One of these days I might even get us a phone number. Let's not rush things. We're dealing with enough change - new equipment, a forum, and wait until the guys find out I'm making them whole wheat pancakes. Chaos!

Amateur Night

2008-04-01T08:19:00.002-05:00

April first is that dreaded day when people who have a terrible sense of humor attempt to be funny or clever. I humor them with a smile. As person who is both imaginative and determined when it comes to making people laugh, I really hate amateur hour.

So no hilarity from me today. No elaborate jokes or pranks. Tomorrow I may return to the ring to be the clown that I usually am.

Wait - what hilarity you ask? Oh for shame. I'm going to have to buy a joke book. Perhaps I will start with knock knock jokes.

BRP 75: He is not a potato edition

2008-03-30T16:29:00.002-05:00

This week Derek, Deeps and I are joined by our friends Chris and Jen to reconsider the previous three and a half seasons of LOST. They are recent converts to the show having crammed in the show on DVD in about a month.

Plus we still find time to talk about our old friends Torchwood, How I Met Your Mother, and Reaper. And Deeps offers up his loud assessment of the latest New Amsterdam. I'm married to him and I don't understand how he is still watching that show.

We're on a little hiatus next week but we return with fresh shows and material on April 13. In the meantime, you can check out two new polls I have up.

One is about whether or not Big Red Podcast needs a forum for fans to chat with us about the podcast and the stuff we cover.

The other poll is about whether or not we should reconsider shows we've previously written off.

Since you're voting anyway, why not throw us a bone over at Podcast Alley Podcast Alley? We appreciate it!

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

Brick

2008-03-27T08:01:00.002-05:00

At lunch yesterday I noticed my friend's bulging wallet. She placed it on the table next to her lunch.

Me: Your wallet is quite massive.
Friend: It's full of receipts.
Me: I bet you could clean out some the stuff in there.
Friend: I guess.

After thumbing through various cards and receipts we determined that she could get rid of her various collections of cards for businesses in upstate New York (she lives near Boston) and dump the old MCI phone cards she had from her mother.

Friend: Is MCI even in business anymore?
Me: I think they went under in like 2000. That's pretty bad.
Friend: I guess I can throw it out.
Me: If it makes you feel better, you can recycle it.

BRP 74: Hysterical Laughter Edition

2008-03-24T19:58:00.004-05:00

This week Derek finds his way back to join me and Deeps working through new series Miss Guided and the return of former favorites like Reaper, HIMYM, Torchwood and LOST. Plus Derek tells us something about New Amsterdam. I laughed a lot, so I didn't hear everything he said.

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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Slappy Hour

2008-03-21T06:20:00.005-05:00

Pudding and I arranged to meet a few other colleagues at the elevator to go to have a quick drink after work. We all stood around waiting for a while when he finally showed up with the following explanation.

Pudding: I was emailing "The View."
Me: What? The TV show?
Pudding: Yes, Elizabeth was saying something that was wrong and she was totally missing the point.

I paused a moment to consider what he was saying. I had so many questions about logistics and logic, but I went with the most obvious.

Me: Why would you take any time to email them?
Pudding: It really bothered me. I was doing my civic duty.
Me: I think Elizabeth isn't even viewed as being the most dim-witted on the show. I think one of the women thinks the world is flat and that Jesus pre-dates the Greeks.
Pudding: I feel better for sending it.
Me: I should hope so.

Grass Fed

2008-03-20T06:18:00.002-05:00

Last night I stopped by Whole Foods on the way home from work to pick up an item that has been sold out the past several times I've been there: ground bison.

A few months ago I read an article about buffalo and bison meat - about how lean it is and how it's easier to find organic versions. We don't eat a lot of meat, Deeps was raised as a vegetarian.

And while neither of us is a vegetarian, we just tend not to eat much meat in any given week. But whatever I eat, I figured it should be lean and relatively healthy. Up until now, we'd been a turkey family but we've switched over.

This is all to explain why my trip to buy ground bison was weird. I bought six pounds and hauled it over to the check out. The guy behind me in line asked me how it tasted.

I replied that the bison tastes like beef used to taste - it's meaty and kind of rich.

The guy shrugged at me like "What's beef?"

I added that the meat is really lean and has a nice texture.

The guy shrugged at me again like "What's texture?"

Deeps had wandered off to look at the chocolate counter and came back to carry the groceries out.

"What'd that guy want?" he asked.

I shrugged.

That's what he said

2008-03-18T06:01:00.003-05:00

Last night we ran a few errands for the newly reorganized home office. Basically, we cleared out a bunch of stuff - I tossed old PC video games I bought my senior year of college. Let's just say I bought them in the early years of the Clinton administration.

Anyway, as we unloaded the car we met up with our neighbor. We chatted a bit and as I started to head into the house I wished him well and said he should enjoy the nice weather until it snows tomorrow.

Neighbor: Is it really supposed to snow this week?
Me: I guess we might get snow and sleet on Wednesday.
Neighbor: Well, I'm done shoveling. Sleet is fine, as long as I don't have to shovel.
Me: I hear ya.

Deeps nudged me as we walked into the house. "You said I was nuts when I wanted to stop shoveling," he said.

"That's because you made that declaration on February 2," I replied.

"I admit, it was a little ambitious."

"This is New England, dear."