Wednesday, September 14, 2011

I love this moment.

"The Office" doin' what it do.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Appreciation

I haven't done an appreciation post in a while.  In this post, I would like to express my appreciation for my best buddy, Katie Byrnes.  Katie and I met in AP Chemistry my junior year of high school.  We almost never became friends because chemistry was not my strong suit and I was a horrible lab partner.  But magically, we did, and it's been a great time ever since. 

Katie and I have been friends for long enough that we don't know who came up with some of our inside jokes.  We have also been friends long enough that we've been able to watch each other mature and evolve.  We've been friends through romances, opinions, and haircuts good and bad (at least on my end) and I daresay we're better off for each other's friendship.  I'm certainly better off because of hers.

Through her I have also been privileged to become friends with the fabulous Mrs. Byrnes, the dashing Mr. Byrnes, the mysterious duo of Molly Byrnes Fridley and Jared Fridley, the intellectual giant Samuel Brian "Schmooze" Byrnes, and some asshole hairless cat.  For those introductions I am grateful.

Thanks, Katie, for never leaving me stuck holding the coconut!

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Personal Update

I go to orientation for my accounting program tomorrow -- sweet.  I'm also temping right now at a place that with any luck might give me work periodically for the foreseeable future.  I'll probably be playing in a women's rec basketball league within the next couple of weeks (if I can come up with 85 bucks, that is) so I've been working on my skills.  Feeling pretty badass. And college football begins this weekend -- Northwestern beats Boston College this Saturday, and the Mrs. and I are going to be there to see it!

I'm still broke as hell, but I'm living my old man life and having a good time.  Spending time with the lady, seeing the friends, playing sports, watching sports, cooking, eating, watching The Office and The West Wing -- doesn't get much better than that.  Look out for more regular posting in the future.


Monday, August 8, 2011

POOLEYBLOG's Top 100 songs #1

This is it.  This is the end.  My #1 favorite song of all time, people.  Thank you all for reading this far.



1. Don't worry baby -- The Beach Boys

"Well, it's been building up inside of me for oh, I don't know how long.
I don't know why, but I keep thinking something's bound to go wrong.
But she looks in my eyes, and makes me realize when she says, 'Don't worry baby...'"

This is my song.  If I had to choose a song to marry, it'd be this one.  It's the one.  I just love this song. 

Claire does a mean ukulele version, and Ruth and I do a very sweet duet. 

(Note: This performance is obviously eminently weird, but it's the only one I could find on youtube that isn't from the 80's.  Hope you enjoyed it.)


Well, there they are! My Top 100 songs of all time!  Back to our regularly scheduled programming.




POOLEYBLOG's Top 100 songs #2

2. Tired of being alone -- Al Green

Al Green-- a really damn cool dude who understand the value of good backup vocals.  His R&B is better than his gospel but people sell the gospel a bit short sometimes. 


POOLEYBLOG's Top 100 songs #3

3. Desperado -- Linda Ronstadt

As I have said before, Linda's should be the canonical version of this song.  There's nothing good about The Eagles' version, though you of course have to give them credit for writing it.  This is a gay cowboy song. Or something.  Whatever it is, it's heartbreaking and smart and silly and fun and great for singing in the shower.  The final video is the Northwestern a cappella group, Purple Haze, singing Desperado.  The lead singer is Harris, who apparently once saved my girlfriend's life, and the tall blond man in the back left is my buddy Eric.  Shucks, sometimes I wish I was still in college.

Also, while on youtube, I just discovered that the Carpenters did their own version of Desperado? Why god, why? Who is the sicko who let Karen Carpenter anywhere near Desperado? SOME THINGS ARE JUST TOO SAD AND YOU CAN'T ALLOW THEM TO HAPPEN BECAUSE THEY'RE TOO SAD.







Best line: "And freedom, oh freedom, that's just some people talkin'.  Your prison is walking through this world all alone."

POOLEYBLOG's Top 100 songs #4

4. Baby I need your lovin' -- The Four Tops

IT'S THE VOCALS, STUPID.  NO REALLY, THE FOUR TOPS COULD SING.