Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Bad Movies

So Melissa has a new hobby....Picking the worst movies for us to watch each week. Her latest? Twilight! I don't get the fascination....the movie was AWFUL! A vampire love story? I knew I was going to hate it too...but I made a deal to watch her choice of movie each week. What's baffling is how much she loves it. She even has the damn book. My daughter Gabrielle is a huge fan of it too, but she's 12.

Now I'm all for a Vampire movie...Lost Boys, Interview With The Vampire, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Dracula, Underworld...but freaking Twilight? What's worse is I'm told there will be a sequel, perhaps a trilogy...WHAT THE HELL? Chicks old and young LOVE this crap...What's terrifying is, there are probably a few males out there that like it too, do they realize they can never call themselves MEN?

I'm DYING to debate the relevance of this story with ANYONE...Melissa don't count, she's foreign so that's a usable excuse for bad taste in movies. Anyone else that claims this crap is "good" needs their head checked!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Brutally HORRIFIC!!

Wait till you see what happens next.....BRACE YOURSELF!!!

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Did you REALLY think I'd post a pic of that kitty getting eaten? C'mon now!!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Beer Me!!

So a co-worker and I were out for lunch today at a Pub/Restaurant that we like to frequent because of their import beers. When asked if I "Really enjoy any other import rather than Guinness" I replied, "YES! Yuengling!" to which my co-worker and the bartender ask...."What the hell is Yuengling"

It's pronounced...YING LING...and it's an awesome beer. Now typically I'd let you know that Yuengling isn't an import at all....If you happen to live on the Eastern Seaport. But out west....that beer is a total mystery and to get it here it would have to be IMPORTED. It's only distributed to a few states back East, I experienced it during my time in New York/New Jersey and while I had Yuengling, I never drank a single Guinness. Seriously though, Yuengling is probably the best beer I've ever had, Now my Guinness will ALWAYS be #1 but if it were sitting side by side with some Yuengling right now...I'd knock it over just to get to the Yuengling. So if you're ever back East, make sure to grab a bottle of Yuengling and remember who told you about it.

If you currently live in a state that HAS Yuengling....contact me, I have a lucrative import proposition for you...SERIOUSLY!!!!

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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Irish and PROUD of It...

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So Today is St. Patrick's Day.....It's really the only holiday I look forward to all year (I do love 4th of July). YES! It IS a holiday....when you're Irish. So don't argue with me. It's a day that I make a point of to take off every year, NO! I don't work on St. Patrick's Day!!! Melissa and I are going to celebrate being Irish and end up in a drunken stooper somewhere. I hope you enjoy the greatest day on the calendar!!

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And here are 10 things you didn't know about Ireland

1. Technically, it is an offense to be drunk in public in Ireland

Technically, it is an offense to be drunk in public in Ireland. Regulations introduced last year allow the police to issue on-the-spot fines for anyone caught being drunk in a public place in Ireland.

2. An Irishman founded the Argentinean Navy

Irishman William Brown (known in Spanish as “Guillermo Brown”) is one of Argentina’s national heroes. He is commonly known as the “father of the Argentine navy” and was an important leader in the Argentinean struggle for independence from Spain.

Brown’s family left Foxford in Co. Mayo for Philadelphia in 1786 when he was aged 9 and his father died of yellow fever soon after they arrived in the U.S.

He led an adventurous early life: he fought in the Napoleonic wars, was taken prisoner-of-war, escaped to Germany, before somehow ending up in Uruguay, where he became a sea trader. He then founded the Argentinean navy, when it was at war with Spain.

Today there is a statute of Brown in his hometown of Foxford, Co. Mayo, which was unveiled in 2007, the 150th anniversary of his death. in Argentina, there are 1,200 streets, 500 statues, two towns, one city and a few football clubs named after him.

3. Only two members of U2 were born in Ireland

David Howell Evans, more commonly known as The Edge, was born in London, to Welsh parents. Garvin and Gwenda Evans moved to Malahide in Dublin when The Edge was aged 1. Adam Clayton, U2's bassist, was born in Oxfordshire, England. His family moved to Malahide in Dublin when he was 5, and he soon became friends with The Edge.

Only Bono and Larry Mullen Jr. were actually born in Ireland.

4. The British Embassy in Tehran is on a street named after an Irishman

In 1981, shortly after the death of IRA hunger-striker Bobby Sands, the Iranian government changed the name of the street where the British Embassy is located from "Churchill Boulevard" (after the British Prime Minister) to "Bobby Sands Street."

British Embassy Staff were then forced to route everything through a side door in the building to avoid showing their address as The British Embassy, Bobby Sands Street, Tehran.

5. Up until around the early 1990s, Ireland had a low per capita consumption of alcohol

When the word "Irish" comes up, "drinking" is never far behind. And today, Ireland alcohol's consumption is very high by international standards. A 2006 survey found that the Irish spend a higher proportion of their income on alcohol than anyone else in Europe. It also found that the Irish were the worst binge drinkers in Europe. So the recent evidence supports the old Irish drunkard stereotype.

But Ireland's alcohol consumption per population was moderate for much of the 20th century. There was a high level of alcohol abstinence in the country – something usually more associated with Protestantism – which was promoted by the Catholic Church.

As the Church's moral authority declined, however, and as the country became wealthier, the Irish started to drink a lot more - finally earning themselves that old heavy-drinking stereotype.

6. A Belfast hospital is a world leader in kneecap reconstruction

During the Troubles, the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast had one of the top trauma units in Europe. At one point as many as 100 victims of "limb executions" were being treated by the hospital every year, whose advances included external “limb scaffolding" that enables partial healing for bone damage too severe for reconstruction.

7. Ireland has the fourth largest stadium in Europe

Dublin's Croke Park, the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association, is the fourth largest stadium in Europe. The 82,300-capacity stadium was redeveloped in 2005 and is now the fourth largest: only Camp Nou in Barcelona, Wembley in England, and Olimpiysky in the Ukraine, are bigger.

Rugby and soccer were banned from the stadium up until 2007 because of a long-standing rule banning “foreign” games. The rule was relaxed when the country’s main soccer and rugby stadium, Lansdowne Road, was closed for redevelopment.

8. In the summer of 2007, it rained in Ireland for 40 days straight

Even by Irish standards, 2007 was a wet summer. By August 24, it had rained in Ireland for 40 days - fulfilling an old Irish proverb that says it will rain for 40 days if it rains on St. Swithin's day (July 15). The rain usually takes a break in the summer for a couple of weeks and the rare sunshine sends the country pure mad!

9. Playboy was banned in Ireland until 1995

In 1995 you could get Playboy TV but you couldn't get the magazine, which was banned under the censorship laws.

10. More Guinness is sold in Nigeria than in Ireland

That's right: Ireland is the third largest market for Guinness. Nigeria is at second, and Britain is first.

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Saturday, March 14, 2009

The Perfect Combo

So I wanted to let you in on a little secret. I'm totally addicted to a couple of sites. The work together AND with my blackberry, so needless to say, I'm there ALL THE TIME.

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The first is TWITTER. It a great place to update what's happening as you go, and if you network it with your friends, it can be SUPER fun. Especially on those nights when you have the urge to drunk text someone....just tweet and get everyone at once. If you're not tweet'in..you're not livin'!!

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The next is BLIP.FM it works with twitter, if you so desire. Ever wanted to be the DJ? Ever wanted to play what you feel and share it with your friends? Blip is awesome, it has a HUGE library of music and you get to decide what's on the radio. Sync it with twitter and your friends get to hear what you're rockin.

Ok so what are you waiting for? I just turned you onto 2 of the coolest places online....go setup your account, add me, add your cell phone...and let's roll!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Glory Days

So lately I have been reconnecting with A LOT of people I knew in high school. Sadly, I don't remember all of them, but find it oddly humbling how many remember me.

I spent my high school years, and every year leading up to high school living in the same neighborhood, the same house, and around all the same people. Back then my entire life was football. I played from the age of 5 until my senior year. I was a standout wherever I played and all I could think of was what NFL team I would be playing for 1 day....funny how looking back, your dreams then are just memories now. In high school I played both ways for 4 years. Offense and Defense. I lettered 4 years. I was never the best student, typically....girls would do my schoolwork. I hated school. I hated the thought of being in school. During football season I really applied myself but when the season ended and there were still several months left, I lost interest and did just enough to remain eligible to play next year.

I mention this because I get a lot of questions from people who knew Randy Hunt "back in the day" and many of them are surprised that after high school, I disappeared. I barely even remained in contact with anyone. I had offers to play college football, I went through the whole recruitment thing my senior year and everyone assumed I'd be playing somewhere. Thing is....back then, I didn't have a great relationship with my Mom, which later haunted me after her death. So when I turned 18 and got that diploma that was so highly regarded in my house all I could think about was getting the hell out of Las Vegas. I couldn't bear the thought of 4 more years of school and the pressures of football, the cliche of every high school football movie of the week was my life for far too long, I felt I needed to change it and stop living the Friday Night Lights life. So I told my parents I wasn't going to college and my Mom and I had a HUGE fight. I left the house that day and ended up at a strip of military recruiters offices. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines....all in a row. I went into each one to discuss entering the military. Army was a 3 month wait. Marines was a 6 month wait. then I walked into the Navy office and the recruiter told me about traveling the world, he sold me....Then he asked, can you take an ASVAB test tomorrow? Can you be in boot camp in 5 days? That was it, I signed my name. Every college opportunity....gone with the stroke of a pen. I didn't even tell anyone. I woke up on the day of my ASVAB and called my recruiter and told him I had no place to live, a lie because I couldn't imagine the argument with my parents. So he put me up for 5 days until I left for boot camp. I called my parents from the airport in San Diego on my way to boot camp and told them where I was, there was nothing they could do. 6 months later I came home after graduating boot camp and passing A school for my 10 day leave, before I left for Virginia, and my military assignment aboard the USS Dwight D Eisenhower. I spent those 10 days pretty much alone. My parents crushed over my decision. Then I left for Virginia. I spent the next several years in the US Navy.

Now today, many of the people who wondered "what happened to Randy" are shocked to learn where my life went after high school. Looking back....I can't say I regret a second of it. The happiest time of my entire life was spent in the Navy. By the age of 19 I had traveled the world, by the time I left the Navy I had seen more places than a single person can ever dream of seeing. I walked in places people see on TV and dream of. I've been to Rome and seen the Coliseum. I've been to Paris and seen the Eiffel Tower. I've walked in the Nile River. I've touched the phenom known as Stonehenge. I've toured the Pyramids in Egypt. I've taken a Gondola ride in Italy. I've tried to make the guards at the Royal Palace blink an eye. England, France, Italy, Spain, Israel, Turkey, Ireland, Greece, Morocco, Marseilles, Portugal, Bermuda....I've been to all of em, numerous times. So when I'm asked now, if I regret my decision to forget college football and join the Navy, I say "NO" with a smile on my face. Walking into that recruiters office that day and leaving as fast as I did was, hands down, the best decision I've ever made. Had I thought about it and weighed my options, talked to my parents, I would have went onto college and missed the greatest moments of my life....so NO...I'm not sorry...not even a little bit.

As far as Randy Hunt from back in the day...I don't wear a football jersey anymore, I'm not at the party of the week that often these days, and I don't get free fast food anymore....but I'm still me, just a bit more grown up. Nowadays, it's a job I've worked at for 13 years, a divorce, and 3 of the most amazing kids anyone could ever have.....I couldn't have scripted it better. High School is long gone but man did we have some times. Never underestimate the power of reflection, it feels good to know I left a mark and people remember my name. It is important to say....If I don't remember you today, it's my ignorance...and I apologize, I was kinda into myself back then....now I'm just sorta into myself. LOL Cheers!

Thursday, March 5, 2009

"B"

So a good friend of mine, Lora, posted a meme over at HER BLOG, and then tasked me with the letter "B" to do myself. I must say, I could have REALLY gotten into some trouble with this letter....Considering my ex wife is a Bitch and rides a Broomstick, but I kept it to the theme....10 things I love that start with the letter "B" If you would like to be tasked with your own letter, let me know so I can assign you one. NO! you don't get to pick your own!!


1. BEER - Seriously, I have no idea what I would do if a cold one wasn't waiting for me when I got home. But I only drink imports, none of that domestic toilet water.
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2. BBQ's - Nothing like gathering the friends and having a kick ass BBQ. I'm partial to the 4th of July BBQ, I look forward to it every year!
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3. BOOBIES - Boobies are good! Besides, you can't motorboat a personality! This is why Lora gave me "B" I guarantee it! LOL
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4. BAHAMAS - I've been there twice, I swear it's Paradise. If it's not on your bucket list, add it, you won't be sorry.
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5. BED - What's better than crawling into bed and sleeping? Also, it's where the magic happens!
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6. BROCCOLI - I love me some broccoli, next to green beans...it's my Fav!
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7. BRIDGES - My Mom was terrified of them, I think they are awesome! The Brooklyn Bridge is my favorite. I've walked across it 3 times!
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8. BLOGGER - Like my cell phone, I don't think I could live without it.
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9. BOSTON - I love Boston. Not only do they have the most awesome baseball team EVER, but it's so rich with history. If you're Irish and you don't love Boston...you're faking it!
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10. BEARS, BEETS, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - The Office!! It's the cure for what ails you. I dare you to watch an episode and not laugh, it's impossible!
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Monday, March 2, 2009

December 21, 2012

So I've been reading a lot on the impending Apocalypse lately, trying to see everyone's point of view on the subject and I have to tell you...I almost buy it...ALMOST!

In case you're living under a rock or just prefer to ignore it...Like I did for a long time, a lot of people, from ALL walks of life believe that life, as we know it, will end on December 21, 2012. Now there are a zillion theories on how or why it will happen and I'm not going to try to explain any of it here, if you want to know you should read about it for yourself. Scientist believe it has to do with our Solar System or magnetic poles, Religious freaks believe it's the arrival of the Messiah, I've even see crazy shit like people actually believing the Terminator stories were an attempt to "prepare us". Not to mention the predictions of the I Ching & The Web-Bot Project. The reasoning for our impending doom and the how's and why's of it are something that a lot of people are at odds about....What's interesting is NOBODY is arguing the date. As in so many "End of the World" mumbo jumbo scenarios that have been flown out there, from the new Millennium to a Black President...nobody ever agrees on WHEN it will happen...What's weird is EVERYONE agrees on 122112. Reason being, on 12-21-2012 the ancient Mayan calendar ends and if you don't know anything about the Mayan calendar let me be the first to say that it is the most accurate document in history, dating back to the 6th century. The Mayan calendars accuracy of lunar, solar, and planetary cycles are almost startling. It's been perfectly accurate to date and it ends on 12-21-12 the Winter Solstice....Weird huh? It tells us that our planet will be in perfect alignment with the sun in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, which, in the last 5 years astronomers have discovered a massive black hole...in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy....Bizarre Eh? Now I'm in NO WAY saying I believe ANY of this bullshit. Especially because so many religious nut jobs are enthralled in it. But I AM interested in what a number of REPUTABLE scientists have discovered. And if I were going to believe ANYTHING it is SCIENCE...so the theory of the shifting of the magnetic poles is where my belief would lean, you can research the shifting of the north & south pole and its effects on our planet...It's already happened, and that's proven fact. Now I'm not saying the end of the world is near...because, well....I don't believe in predictions. I'm a realist and I'll believe it when I see it, touch it, smell it, taste it, or hear it....until then it's just mumbo jumbo to me. Let's face it, the "end of the world" has been predicted thousands of times through history, and what's the ONE thing that is always accurate? THE PREDICTIONS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WRONG!!! But I gotta ask....DO YOU BELIEVE?

On a side note, I always thought I'd fare well in a post apocalyptic world. No rules, no law, fend for yourself kinda world...I think I'd find my niche. I've always secretly wished for a chance to test my survival instincts/skills in a very extreme kind of way...maybe in a few years, I'll get my chance. You should want to be standing next to me if the world ends...seriously!!