I. Cant. Wait.

The cast they got to do the live action/voiceover work for Command and Conquer 3 is just plain RETARDED.


Michael ironside? Josh Holloway(sawyer on lost)? BILLY DEE WILLIAMS?!

For the Horde!

Comedy Gold

[16:02] Marrow: i went to the bathroom and ripped a fart so loud that I think it ruptured the space time continuum and sunk the titanic before the iceberg could get to it
[16:02] waggoner98: oh man
[16:02] waggoner98: i lold
[16:03] Marrow: you thought that was strange? dude, after i finished, i saw doc brown walk by with marty and the newspaper changed from "lawl all clear" to "radiological alarm!"






Good times.

It Was Bound To Happen Sometime...

This weekend was kind of interesting in WoW. Was doing shadow labs to get a guildie going on their karazhan key when the following conversation happened over vent/in game. Now, remember...i dropped the name Asros when i transferred and switched to Mavrixx...named after a guy i played SWG with who later died.

Anywho, here is the story.

Friend 1 was in my old TC fan guild with me, knows my history in podcasting.
Friend 2 is a random recruit that applied to our guild out of nowhere.

Friend 1: Wow...there is a guy named (some guy we used to know on whisperwind) but spelled a bit differently. Bwahaha...name of the guild is Warcast!
Me: Hah...talk about ironic!
Friend 2: Hmm...I wonder if they know that Warcast is the name of a WoW podcast. Not many people around here do.
Me: *cough*
Friend 2: What? You listen to them?
Friend 1: Rawful!
Me: Yeah...i know about them
Friend 2: Wait a minute...you sound familiar...
Me: You are messing with me...
Friend 2: Holy crap! You are that asros guy, arent you! I had a feeling you were, but didnt want to ask and sound like an idiot. Whatever happened to you, btw?

Knew it would be only a matter of time before i was discovered :P

New Niece

Elyse Margaret Schlesinger(i think i spelled it right, I havent seen the official announcement)


Delivered around 6am CST this morning, was 9lbs and doing fine.


Grats to my sister and brother in law on a new kiddo!

A dear friend passes...

Just an update -

I talked to Mike Hachtel, and he said that Tim was suffering from pancreatitis, but that it was not keeping him down or from working, so he appeared OK to everyone. Last night though, he had a severe attack and became violently ill, so he went to the hospital. They transferred him to ICU, and then this morning, they loaded him onto a helicopter to fly to St. Vincent's, but he passed away enroute.

Thanks for everything you did for me, Tim. You were an inspiration and a great mentor to me through my college years.

Tim King...one of the most selfless men i have ever known. He will be missed.

http://www.dunnfuneralhome.com/show.pl?id=386

Super Suck

Im too mad to talk about the super bowl right now. Ill talk about it once i cool down, which should be easy since its frigging -5 F outside.



Although, in the office pool, i wont 200$ on the super bowl with the square showing the bears to have a score containing a 4 and the colts with a 6. 2 quarters won by yours truly. At least i got that.

BIll Gates - Space Cadet

Quote of the month -

Nowadays, security guys break the Mac every single day. Every single day, they come out with a total exploit, your machine can be taken over totally. I dare anybody to do that once a month on the Windows machine.

Care to share some proof to back that up, jackass? What about all those zero day vista exploits that came out?


Die in a fire, bill gates.

Its Official

Within the next 4-6 months, ill be switching over all my computers/electronics to apple devices.


1. Mac Pro to replace my PC Gaming machine/Powermac G5. The fact that the only PC game i play with any regularity is World of Warcraft leaves this as pretty much a no brainer. Plus, with boot camp, i will be able to install windows and play any games i feel like. My powermac g5 is a nice machine, and i use it for all my home use(email, web surfing, chatting, itunes, photos, etc) but its getting slow. By switching that machine to be my single storage server instead of the 2 that i have now, i can consolidate some space and energy usage. Ill pop spare drives in all 4 bays and let it be a media storage machine.

2. Airport express. Im getting a bit tired of my linksys wireless router. Port forwarding and security on it has been a bit iffy as of late. The new airport express is not only 802.11n compliant, but has alot of new features including a built in print server. Cant beat that.

3. Apple TV. With my purchase of my 42" Plasma around christmas time...time to stream all my shows i have imported into itunes and up on the TV. Ive been buying season passes of shows i love like 24 and The Office...cant wait to use this thing :D

4. iPhone. No frigging contest. Coolest looking phone and coolest DOING phone on the face of the planet. I have no problem getting rid of my blackberry for this fantastic device. I CANNOT wait to get my hands on one.



So yeah, im not rich. Just been saving my pennies for this stuff :P

Random Thoughts

List of random thoughts...


1. Colts officially stands for : Count on Losing The Superbowl
2. Ex-American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry put out his first album with his new band...creatively named..."Daughtry". Its pretty good.
3. World of Warcraft players who still use thottbot...thats so old and busted. Wowhead.com is the new hotness.
4. Public opinion polls matter about as much as the poop i took this morning in the grand scheme of national politics. Who cares if the public doesnt support the iraq war? The "public" also doesnt know who the secretary of state is and votes more for american idol than they do for political elections. The fact that the democrats are using this as a carte blanche to determine the foreign policy for the bush administration for the next 2 years is just ridiculous. The republicans took their majority control with 0 humility or attempt to work with the opposition. They took it as a "neener neener we rule the world" attitude, and thats why, imo, they are not in control anymore. They got too cocky and arrogant thinking they could do what they want. Is there no humility or sense of service in the government anymore? Im getting too disappointed in both parties. Unless the republicans come out with a knockout candidate for the 08 election...im not sure what ill do. Rudy and John McCain aint gonna cut it. Wolf in sheeps clothing.
5. The mastermind behind last seasons 24 that went unnamed and unknown through the whole season ends up being....Jack Bauer's brother?!?! What the crap! Thats bigger than curtis taking a slug in the chest(shit move, manny codo, really shitty) or the nuke going off(valencia is a hole anyways).

Sweet Jeezuz

23 January, 2007 - PARIS, France -- Blizzard Entertainment® today announced that World of Warcraft®: The Burning Crusade™ has broken the day-one sales record to become the fastest-selling PC game ever in North America and Europe, with a worldwide total of nearly 2.4 million copies sold in the first 24 hours of availability. The Burning Crusade, the first expansion set for World of Warcraft, was simultaneously released in North America, Europe, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia on 16 January, and on 17 January in Australia and New Zealand.

1. Create Massively Popular online game
2. Hook everyone
3. Create and awesome followup
4. ?????
5. Profit!

In Rex I Trust

I never wavered.

I never doubted.

I sometimes worried.

But i always knew.


Thank you Rex. Bless you for dealing with the bullshit media this year. You and the team have brought something to Chicago that ive waited since becoming a bears fan.



A chance at the big trophy.



You sir....are the man.





Lovie smith. 3 years and you take the bears to the super bowl. You sir...are also the man.

You stuck with rex, you didnt waver and knew what was best for the team. Thats what a head coach does. Congrats on being the first black coach to head to the big dance.

Even when they get water dumped on em in 25 degree weather.





You 2 guys are each "the man".
Meaning, the 2 of you...are the men.




2 weeks. Its on like donkey kong.

>.>

Cant talk



Lots of WoW to do.

Burning Crusade - Breaking More Records?

A leaked Walmart sales playbook reports a whopping 90% of current WoW players will be buying the expansion, and that 75% said they would pick it up within the first 10 days of release. Considering Blizzard's figure of 7.5 million players, that's just over 5 million copies of the expansion pack sold in just the first ten days. As a comparison, the best-selling expansion pack of all time so far, Sims: Livin' Large, sold 700,000 copies in its first year.


Incredible.

A Thank You Note

From my dad.


"I was genuinely touched and humbled by the outpouring of support of parents, students, and alumni at the board of education meeting on January 9. I've worked hard for the last 22 years at Hinsdale Central trying to teach our kids to the best of my ability, and knowing you value that work is wonderful. I have been, and continue to be, blessed to work with some of the finest people I've ever known during my years at Hinsdale Central - both students and parents. Thank you so very much for your support of my work over the years."


From Me


Thanks everyone for going and helping. We still need to get more people involved to let the board and newspapers know what is going on is a total mistake. Some of you said you would write letters....if you can still do that, let me know. Would appreciate any additional help we can get. The 22nd is the next board meeting. More info to come, but would like to get a bunch of letters to be read there.


Thanks everyone...hopefully we can keep this going!

Recap

So, i had it all in my head to have som long pithy post to write since its been a while. Alas, im at a loss for words.



- Christmas was good. Santa was kind...esp since he came the weekend after thanksgiving with a shiny 42" plasma teevee. Pix to come. Callie was happy, she got a heated bed. Now i just need to figure out where to put it.

- After Christmas, mom, dad and i went to florida for 8 days. With all the petty bullshit going on...we needed some time away. Spent time at the timeshare, 2 days @ seaworld(well, 1.5 thanks to rain) and 1.5 at disney(thanks to rain again). Epcot and MGM....good times. Rode mission:space again..almost blacked out during the launch part(so awesome).

- Met some interesting people lately. Could turn out to be a very...very cool thing.

- Warcraft expansion comes out a week from tomorrow. I cant frigging wait. Seems guilds everywhere are having woes from the lack of drive to do much before the xpack release. Ours has had its share of drama and people leaving to form their own guilds, and thats to be expected. Those of us sticking around are closer for it. Some new blood lately and some old faces coming back to play. Its been nice :)

- 24 starts up in a week. Nuff said.

- Bears play the seahawks next sunday. Cmon rex. Time to play like I know you can.

- Back to work after 2 weeks off. Feels like an eternity. Also feels like i should take more time off :P

- Happy 5th birthday, Callie! Youve now lived with me longer than youve lived without me :D



That should do it for now.

Merry Christmas

Monday, January 8th, 2007

The school board meeting will be...

Monday, January 8th, 2007 - 7:30
Conference Room - Administration Center
55th and Grant Streets
Hinsdale, IL 60521


Depending on turnout and how things go, we may plan to go to the next one which is

January 22, 2007 - 7:30 PM
Black and Gold Room - Hinsdale South High School
7401 S. Clarendon Hills Road
Darien, IL 60561


According to the October 16th Meeting Minutes

Audience Communications. Anna Sanders, parent of a Hinsdale Central student, reported her concerns regarding the Music Program at Central. She affirmed the changes in the Program of Studies, but was concerned about the overall negative environment within the Music Program and the effect that has on program participants and recruitment from Middle Schools. Next, Kyle Niemer, a senior at Hinsdale Central and drum major of two years, stated his support and concern for the Music Program. He stated that he felt that student participation in the Band Program is low compared to other schools and attributed that, in part, to the negative environment within the Music Program.

Noone was ever able to speak on the behalf of My dad or the program. We need everyone who can attend to speak out to do so, or if you cant attend, please write a letter and I will make sure that it will be read at the meeting as well as sent to local newspapers if you would like.

IF YOU WENT TO HINSDALE CENTRAL, I NEED YOUR HELP

Last Friday my dad was informed he would be "reassigned" next year. He will continue to teach the jazz ensembles, and two more classes that haven't been identified - and a new person will be hired, full-time, to take over concert band and marching band and to be department chair. He was told that the district administration and board of education would like "a new direction for those groups" and felt a new person was needed.

There was a group of middle school parents who spoke for two hours at the June board meeting that were also involved in the "band advisory committee" when it was formed by the superintendent in July. Some representatives from the music parents' association were also invited to serve on that committee, along with the middle school band directors and the elementary band director from District 181. Two meetings with a facilitator hired by the superintendent were held in August. No clear consensus was reached, but a list of concerns and suggestions was compiled by Kevin Pobst, the assistant superintendent. My dad was present at both meetings but wasnt able to contribute much due to the nature of the meetings. He felt the meeting was set to air their concerns and it seemed to him that his views were well-known. It seems this may have been incorrect.

In September, at the direction of the superintendent, my dad met with the principal and formulated a revision to the band curriculum for next year in an attempt to satisfy the concerns of the group of middle school parents. From what I was told, it required all incoming band freshmen to be in concert band, and then moved jazz ensemble I to the early bird time slot so students in concert band would be able to take that class as well. They felt it kept it in the curriculum while making it possible to satisfy the requirement of making all band members be in concert band. They also intended to wait until they saw how that worked out in 2007-2008 before they planned any changes in jazz II or III. That is why only the students in the jazz bands in 06-07 will be eligible to participate in jazz II and III in 07-08.

Again, my dad met with the principal and Dr. Wahl in October once more before the revisions went to the board. They were described to the board by Kevin Pobst, for informational purposes - since no new classes were proposed - no board approval was needed.

On October 16 Anna Sanders and her son, Kyle Niemer, drum major of the marching band, spoke at length at the board meeting. From what has been communicated to me , they felt he was not enthusiastic about what they believed would be positive changes in the marching band program. According to several people in attendance at the meeting, this was not a discussion of the program or how it could be improved, but mostly a personal attack on my dad, and on my sister (who has been teaching color guard) and my brother-in-law, who assisted at some marching band rehearsals and football games. Apparently the board was quite attentive.

In early December my dad sent a letter to the members of the band advisory committee, the music parents board, the administration, and the board members. It spelled out that he was behind the changes in the program and felt they would be positive changes for kids. He also outlined things he hoped would be accomplished in support of the changes, such as improved communication and participation in recruiting by the middle school directors.

From what my dad has told me, at no time has the board requested his attendance at any meetings nor asked him any questions. He said it was made clear to him that he was to work through the principal, to the superintendent, and not attempt to break this chain of communication. He have not spoken to Dr. Wahl since October, and Dr. Ferguson never indicated a problem before last Friday.

He thinks the problem might have started with Mrs. Sanders - at the September music parents board meeting he expressed some misgivings about how the process took place. Other than that, he did what was asked of him by the principal and superintendent. He was told specifically not to do anything that might get the band parents upset - that it could be dangerous to do so. Apparently not getting them upset had the same effect. In fact, at the October music parents meeting he delivered his report, and then left the meeting.

At the moment, the jazz program is still a going concern, and he will still be teaching those classes. he does not know if the new concert band director/department chair will be charged with eliminating the jazz program or not. He is a tenured teacher with five more years to go before he can retire - and it doesn't make sense to eliminate the program, but the events of last Friday don't make sense either.

Here is what hits me the hardest. It is true that the parents with students in the program, especially in the jazz program, had limited representation at the August meetings. My dad presented a list of names to the superintendent. He was never told who was invited from that list to attend. Beyond that, I have no doubt some community members have spoken repeatedly to certain board members, but have no evidence.

PLEASE...if you are able to help, send me a message(bjwaggoner@mac.com) or call me at 630-768-0444. Board meetings are January 8th and 22nd. We need to get as many people to go to those meetings and speak for him and how he has touched our lives instead of letting the board demote one of the schools most devoted teachers for over 20 years.

The worst thing about this is that he is a 5 years from retirement and with this demotion comes a pretty big pay cut. His retirement package is based on his last 4 years of employment, not his overall average. So with this has not only come a pay cut now, but essentially a huge part of his retirement as well.

Now is the time we need to step up and help him. He helped us all to develop into who we are as people.

The school board members are listed here.

The address for letters is

55th and Grant Streets
Hinsdale, IL 60521
Phone: (630) 655-6100
Fax: (630) 325-9153
email: d86@hinsdale86.org



Please. He need everyone's help.

Havent posted in a while

Havent posted in a while due to overwhelming anger at the Hinsdale District 86 School board.


Wont go into it here, but good god im pissed off. If any Hinsdale Central alumni or current students read this...shoot me an email. Its EXTREMELY important.


Gotta love shit news @ christmas time. Time to rally the troops to help a good man...my father.


bjwaggoner@mac.com - please, im not kidding around.