Blogger Idol - Week One - My Picks

Ok, so here are the top five entries on the Blogger Idol list that made me laugh, think, cry, or read the whole thing. In no real order....

1. What in Tarnation?!?!?: The Classroom
2. Joshua.Michael
3. Downtown Chick Chat
4. Bryan
5. Brother Phil

Be sure to check 'em out. And come back next week to see what I post in the second week of the Blogger Idol.

Currently listening to: Nothing

Blogger Idol - Week 1 - Entry 1 (aka Teacher I Don't Think I Understood The Assignment)

I preface the following post by saying I'm jumping aboard a little web experiment called Blogger Idol. Don't worry, it is not a cheesy competition to weed out the most popular, but least talented blogger like some ______ Idol shows. And even if I won, I don't think I would settle for a contract where I would get less than the janitor at the recording studio where they would over sample, mass produce my latest (and only hit), but there I go rambling again.

WEEK ONE'S THEME - The 80s

Wow, I can remember the early eighties. Some would have considered it a time of lawlessness. I mean you can almost still hear the shots and celebratory whoops and hollers as the outlaw Billy the Kid is shot down by Sheriff Pat Garrett, and later that same year Wyatt Earp and family have a little rumble at the O.K. Corral. Heck, it was just a year later that Jesse James caught a bullet in the back that seriously ended his outlaw days. I can only imagine what the times would have been like if the gun control advocates would have had more power.
But it was also a time of surrenders, with both Sitting Bull and Geronimo laying down their weapons and picking up their reservations.
And to top it all off, right before we hit the 90s, Washington, Montana, and North and South Dakota were welcomed into the Union.
All in all, I would say that was one kickin' decade, one the likes of we will never see again.

Teacher, I think I might have misunderstood the assignment.

Currently listening to: Waterdeep - You Are So Good To Me

Here are the old comments.

You Can't Take My Name Either....

Today I read about web designer Mike Rowe and his website www.mikerowesoft.com. I guess that the folks at Microsoft feel that this seventeen year old is some serious competition, and that he is infringing on their copyright. First I must ask, how many illiterate and stupid typers actually head to this guys site, when they really want to purchase some software known for having some serious security flaws. Man, this kid designs websites. He is not out trying to monopolize the computer industry like Microsoft is. Either way, the boy is getting a lot of attention from around the world.

If he loses the domain, which I hope he doesn't, I will be afraid that other companies will soon follow suit. Before long, I guess I should expecct notices from Dell, as people might be confusing ryancordell.com with dell.com. Or maybe the people at Cordell.com will want to lay claim to my name. To these two, and the many others who might come after it, I say bring it. The only way I'll give up ryancordell.com is from my cold dead fingers, or a good amount of money. Actually, a small amount of money would suffice, I really don't like the sounds of my cold dead fingers, especially if the rest of my body is still warm and living. But now I've began rambling, so I must stop.

Currently listening to: Flemming and John - The Way We Are

Always Carry Your Camera

So today's tip for all you digital camera owner/operators out there, is always keep it near and fully charged. See, tonight I went to Walmart, yes there are a few of them here in Germany, and as I pulled into the parking lot, the car next to mine had stickers all over it regarding the Athens Olympics, and that they were some how involved with it. They then listed their web address under it, www.ass-team.net (don't worry, it is kid friendly). I only wish I had my camera with me at the time.

Now, regarding above mentioned car logos, as one involved in the world wide web, I know the importance of picking a catchy, memorable website name. But at the same time, you might want to make sure that your name couldn't be mistaken for something inappropriate.

By the way, they now sell Cookie Crisp here in Germany. I had to buy a box, just because as a kid I was never allowed to eat this cereal. But now that I'm living on my own, I might just have a bowl for breakfast and lunch tomorrow. Just because I can.

Currently listening to: Nothing

Safe Surfing

One can never be too careful when surfing this thing people call the internet. Luckily some Canadians have come up with some safety tips that could save your life. Take the time to read through these, print them out, and post them everywhere loved ones might be using the internet. They will thank you for it.

Currently listening to: Jewel - This Way

It is What is For Dinner

Up until today, I never worried about going to my Swiss friends homes for a meal. I mean, some of them are pretty decent cooks, and it is usually cheaper than going to one of the local diners in Switzerland. But after reading this little article about animal consumption. I will think twice when I am offered some strange meat dish. Although at the same time, I'm thinking about taking some of those darn stray cats in my neighborhood for a little ride soon.

Currently listening to: Jimmy Eat World -

Best of 2003

I have decided to join the many others who complile a list of the best of the last year. But unlike many, I decided to wait until the year was over, just incase something good made it in the final minutes of last years shot clock. So I present to you my list of the five best of 2003 in the following catagories:

CDs - Released and Purchased in 2003

1. Bill Mallonee - Perfumed Letter
2. Over The Rhine - Ohio
3. Train - My Private Nation
4. The Thorns - The Thorns
5. Sting - Sacred Love

CDs - Purchased in 2003, but not released in 2003

1. Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around
2. Bill Mallonee - Locket Full Of Moonlight
3. Will Kimbrough - Home Away
4. David Wilcox - Underneath
5. Martyn Joseph - Don't Talk About Love

Concerts:
1. Bill Mallonee/Will Kimbrough
2. Coldplay
3. Buddy Miller/ Bill Mallonee
4. King's X - although the opening band (a Swiss AC/DC cover band) was a bit of a let down.
5. (tie) Klonakilty - A local Irish band, but worth catching a show if you can. Their CD almost made my top list.
5. (tie) Travis - You have to love an open air concert (yet not free), that you can see without having to pay.

Movies: Viewed in the Theater

1. Lord of the Rings - All three back to back
2. Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl
3. Anger Management
4. Phone Booth
5. Master And Commander

Movies: Viewed on DVD for the first time in 2003

1. Daddy Day Care
2. The Big Kahuna
3. Signs
4. A Mighty Wind
5. Count of Monte Cristo

Books:
1. Celebration of Discipline - Richard Foster
2. The Canterbury Tales - Geoffrey Chaucer
3. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling
4. Fast Food Nation - Eric Schlosser
5. Saint Ben - John Fischer

Plays:
1. Arsnic and Old Lace - starring Michael Richards (aka Krammer or Stanley Spadowski)

Well, that is all for now.

Currently listening to: Lifehouse - No Name Face