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I Don’t Have Too Many Eggs (I think), I Just Lost My Basket!

By: The Dude on the Right

As Stu Gotz couldn’t meet up with me today to do a podcast, rather than do a solo episode I decided to hold off the podcast for a day, especially since I know Stu is dying to find out how my bachelor party weekend went since he couldn’t make the trip to New Jersey.  So, that discussion will hit tomorrow. Instead I decided this might be a great time to do a blog – something I haven’t done for this site in quite some time.

Now I mention “this site,” because as I had some time away over the weekend, and have blogged on some other sites I have recently and neglecting this one, and as I’ve been pondering this for quite a while now, I started to look at all of the things I’ve got going, especially since I started developing iPhone apps, and I suppose getting married, and I guess having four Twitter accounts, and then there is my weight loss blog, and, okay…

So, yup, I’ve got a lot of things going on, and I tried to reflect on them.  I said to myself, “Self, why don’t you prioritize them and knock off a couple to free up some time/space in your mind?” I started to look at some of the projects I’ve got active (on life support in some cases), seeing if I really wanted to axe any of them, and I ended up with the following priority list, rating each thing individually on a scale of 1 to 10 in general importance to me/I love doing it/I miss doing it/I want to do more of it/and general 1 to 10-ness, with 1 being high and 10 being low.

  • My Wedding: Um, it’s a 1, duh.
  • My life with my BFF: 1
  • Other hobbies/things around the house/projects: 1

Yes, seriously, as I looked at my list, and there are a few things missing from the above list, there isn’t one of them that I don’t love doing, don’t get jazzed about when I do get around to working on, and yes, I agree, in actuality all of them should have a “2” next to them and “My life with my BFF” is actually the only “1,” but hey, I think even she understands.

The thing is, as I looked at this list, I pondered the idea of consolidating.  For example, do I really need four Twitter accounts? My contemplation on this is simply would my Twitter followers under whenismile actually care about the tweets that would be appropriate for drewdude, and would my general tweeting in dudeonright really be what those in myweightplan would want to read?  And then there is the fact that, right now, whenismile is a little more private, at least from some friends and family, so I can tweet things there without worrying about what they might say.  In fact, I’ve almost been confused about tweeting sometimes wondering which account to put it under, and if I posted the same tweet under all four accounts, thinking all of my followers would like to read it, and someone followed all four accounts, would they be pissed at getting the same tweet pretty much four times?

Then there are the blogs I have.  Yup, would Entertainment Ave!-land actually care that I have a blog about my attempt at losing weight?  When I Smile, which is geared towards things about my “Make Me Smile” app, really doesn’t seem to be the right place for Stu Gotz and our podcasts every now and then.  And I could go on an on.

I guess my pondering really centers about “To consolidate, or not to consolidate – That is the question!”  And if so, what is the best way to go about it?  Sure, I could leave everything under my Webventure Avenue company moniker, but that doesn’t seem to be right.  I’ve had Entertainment Ave! for over 15 years and hate to put that by the wayside.  I suppose Mostly Entertainment could get wrapped into the Entertainment Ave! site, but should it be separate?  Ugh!

I guess I need to let these thoughts bounce around in my head a little more, since, in coming to a final conclusion, if the answer is to “consolidate” then that creates another issue – total site-redesigns of everything I have to get them under one umbrella, or at least in one basket.  And even if I don’t consolidate, maybe I should actually use some of my organization skills/software/thoughts, to put things into little blocks, workable blocks, so that each project is it’s own little world, yet gets some attention every day, with the most, of course, being my BFF.

At least my wedding will be able to be taken off this list in two months – when the “I do”’s have been said, but I’m sure when that egg has been hatched I’m going to just lay another one – I just hope I can get that one to land in the basket I haven’t found yet.

And sure, if you’ve got any answers for the question “To consolidate or not to consolidate!”, I would love to hear them!

That’s it for this one!  I’m The Dude on the Right!! L8R!!!

A Teepee, Crappy Movies, Broccoli, iPads, and Sushi.

By: The Dude on the Right

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I was worried that Stu Gotz was kicked out of the Gotz household, but during this edition of our “Weekend Wrap-Up!” podcast, I find out that Stu just wanted to build a teepee! Yup, Stu is getting in touch with his American Indian heritage, even though he has none, and he put up a big ol’ wigwam in the Gotz yard. The kids love it, but I worry he doesn’t see the future picture of Mama Gotz saying “You’re sleeping in the teepee tonight!”, especially with Stu not being that great at negotiating skills with his kids involving a piece of broccoli and an iPad.

Neither of us saw a movie in the theater, but that didn’t stop us from catching up on DVD stuff with Stu and Mama Gotz watching “2012” and “Heartbreak Kid,” while I watched “My Life in Ruins” with my BFF, and both of us thought it was all over the place, and kind of stupid, although in her world it still wasn’t that bad because it was under two hours with a happy ending.

I ate Sushi, a Little Gotz ate broccoli, Stu didn’t watch TV, and I’m recommending “The Real Housewives of Washington D.C.” What has happened to me?

And, yes, I realize “Deep Impact” was an asteroid movie. The movie I was thinking about was “Dante’s Peak.”

Thanks for listening!

That’s it for this one!  I’m The Dude on the Right!!  L8R!!!

Dinner for Schmucks, Cats and Dogs, Apple Camp, and Cold as a Witches…

By: The Dude on the Right

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Our “Weekend Wrap-Up!” podcast brings to light that both Stu Gotz and I saw movies this weekend, albeit different movies, and Stu is sitting on a movie (The Invention of Lying) that Mama Gotz isn’t sure who the lead dude is! Me, I saw “Dinner For Schmucks” and sort of liked it, liked the food at the Hollywood Palms Theater in Naperville, IL, but didn’t like the fact that it was colder than a witches tit in the theater and the theater is not set up for snuggling so my BFF froze her ass off. Stu, meanwhile, was with his kiddies catching “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kittie Galore,” but not in 3-D.

Stu is confused with his TV watching, what with “Doctor Who” being done for the season, but lucky for him he still has “Burn Notice” and “Psych,” because Stu is all about cable. Meanwhile, I’m really sucked into “Big Brother something or other,” even though I don’t really know any of the people’s names, I’m still liking Howie Mandell on “America’s Got Talent,” and both Stu and I wonder what will happen to “American Idol” now that Ellen is gone, Kara is supposedly gone, and J. Lo will be taking a seat in the judge’s chair.

Stu sent his kid to Apple Camp, I did a lot of work, Stu has a visitor in town, and my high school reunion isn’t on the same day as a Bon Jovi concert this time, although I still probably can’t go and it’s not my BFF’s fault, as Stu tries to imply.

The weekends go by so fast, and we talk about them… Thanks for listening!

That’s it for this one!  I’m The Dude on the Right!!  L8R!!!

An S&M Sunday, Port-O-Potties, Dr. Who is Who, and Being Super Macho

By: The Dude on the Right

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Although a lot of Chicago ended up flooded, happily myself and Stu Gotz detail, during our “Weekend Wrap-Up!” podcast, our survival tips, or rather our “We were just lucky” tips, of the Chicago flood of 2010. Stu fought the flooding by braving the elements during a camping trip, while I fought them with being oblivious, and although no worse for wear, Stu does have some issues with his air conditioning which hopefully are getting repaired as we speak.

Rain didn’t seem to dampen either of our weekends as Stu continued his investigative reporting of how to have fun with your kids at a demolition derby, and in tonight’s episode we find out about taking your Little Gotz into a port-a-potty, and how it might be the woman’s fault for the mess. Me, as the big day draws closer, a lot of me is about getting married, and finding wedding bands took precedence this weekend, and chatting with our priest for the wedding.

Stu went diving, I did mopping; Stu thinks Dr. Who is Doctress Who, and I think some dude in this summer’s Big Brother is a genius. And, well, neither of us has still seen “Inception,” and neither of us will being trying “Super Macho,” with all of its bull semen supposed goodness.

Thanks for listening!

That’s it for this one!  I’m The Dude on the Right!!  L8R!!!

Bad Days for Tiger and Nicolas, Passing a Test, Summer TV, and Who Are Ramona and Beezus?

By: The Dude on the Right

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During this edition of our “Weekend Wrap-Up!” podcast, I let Stu Gotz know that my BFF and I passed our marriage test yet he seems more concerned about a weekend drinking excursion rather than my future happiness. I would expect no less from my buddy! As weekends go for me it was pretty simple, with some marriage planning, including renting a tuxedo and realizing that it’s one of the biggest rackets in the clothing industry, and learning to hang some drywall. Stu, on the other hand, seemed to have a good time with said drinking excursion with Mama Gotz, Stinky, The Dude on the Left, and Trash, and somehow he also fit in a trip to the movies with the Little Gotz’s, going to see “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” and a snuggly trip with Mama Gotz to see “Twilight: Eclipse.”

Stu is sad the current season of Doctor Who is almost over, he thinks he won’t like “Burn Notice” in ten years if he tries to watch a rerun, and he makes fun of me for watching “Bethany Getting Married,” or whatever the name of the show is with that Bethany chick who used to be a New York housewife, or something like that.

Neither of us seem committed to seeing “Salt” next weekend, nor “Ramona & Beezus,” but I do know some more marriage preparation should be taking place, and Stu is planning on some canoeing, but I don’t see multiple cases of beer as used to be the case many, many moons ago.

Thanks for listening!

That’s it for this one!  I’m The Dude on the Right!!  L8R!!!

Camping Tales, Doggie Tails, Movie Talk, and a Governor Balks “So F*&# All of You!”

By: The Dude on the Right

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My wedding is getting closer, and Stu Gotz says he was wrong – Holy crap it’s another “Weekend Wrap-Up!” podcast!

Yup, my BFF and I actually registered at a store for our wedding, and I let Stu know that he won’t be able to buy us the cooler that looks like a fishing bobber, but he can buy us some dinnerware should he desire! Yup, it’s business marketing at it’s finest, this wedding stuff, and I’m immersed in it headstrong. Stu Gotz, meanwhile, wanted to stay headstrong on his growing distrust of 3-D movies, but having seen “Descpicable Me” in 2-D and liking it, he was actually bummed he didn’t spring for the 3-D version because he could actually envision how it might have been even better.

And in terms of movies, Stu also had no desire to see “Fantastic Mr. Fox” but saw it anyway on DVD, and he liked it, in fact the entire Gotz clan liked it, meanwhile, on my homestead, I enjoyed “Crazy Heart” but the BFF wanted to leave it in the Netlix mailbox.

And what would a podcast from Chicago be without some talk about Ex-Governor Rod Blagojovich? Well, we’ve got that, too, and he’s uncensored so cover your ears should you need to!

Thanks for listening!

That’s it for this one!  I’m The Dude on the Right!!  L8R!!!

Ribfest, Cub’s Game, Friends, Movies, Lebron, and TV – It Must be The 4th of July!

By: The Dude on the Right

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It was the 4th of July weekend, and Stu Gotz and I are on Lebron Watch! Okay, we really aren’t, but during this podcast episode of our “Weekend Wrap-Up!” we do talk about Lebron James and his signing with the Chicago Bulls, or Cleveland Caveliers, or maybe he’ll just retire – wouldn’t that be a hoot!

We both did, however, have a nice 4th of July weekend (and hope yours was nice as well), with Stu catching a Chicago Cubs game, me attending Ribfest in Naperville, IL, and while I watched a George Clooney movie about goats via my Netflix, Stu caught some old episodes of the TV show “Dead Like Me.” He also caught “Grown Ups,” which from his description, thankfully I napped instead of heading to the theater.

I did find out I could have watched “Hot Tub Time Machine” on the cheap via my Comcast On-Demand, I realized I screwed up because “Descipable Me” comes out this weekend, and neither of us really cared about the “Twilight” vampire movie that made tons of money at the box office.

A long weekend, but sadly not long enough I say!

Thanks for listening!

That’s it for this one!  I’m The Dude on the Right!!  L8R!!!

Get a Gun, A Death, No More 3D, DisneyQuest Blahs, and Please Keep Your Fingers.

By: The Dude on the Right

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I cleaned my balls over the weekend and during this episode of our “Weekend Wrap-Up!” podcast Stu Gotz makes fun of me for it. I, though, don’t make fun of Stu for going to DisneyQuest over the weekend with the family, especially since it seems DisneyQuest is mostly resting on its laurels and might need an upgrade. Stu was bummed he didn’t go to the new Harry Potter thingy down there in Florida, but after some comments from some other travelers he thinks DisneyQuest might have actually been the better choice.

Me, I’m also in mourning with the passing of one of my TiVo’s, especially with its dying thanks to Paul Conrad of WGN and Eric Ferguson or WTMX here in Chicago. Guess it’s another thing to add to the wedding registry, especially if someone will also pick up the lifetime subscription, but I love my TiVo. I hope I get into afternoon soon.

The both of us saw “Toy Story 3” and breakdown the movie as well as if you should ever see a movie in 3D anymore, Stu and I talk about the plethora of movie choices this 4th of July weekend, (The Last Airbender, Twilight Eclipse, Despicable Me, and Predators), and here’s wishing all of you a safe and fun 4th of July weekend!

Thanks for listening!

That’s it for this one!  I’m The Dude on the Right!!  L8R!!!

The Cubs – They Blow, Father’s Day Musings, Handiness, Storms, Crabs, and Donkey Chips.

By: The Dude on the Right

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Stu Gotz celebrated Father’s Day because, well, he’s a dad, and during this episode of our “Weekend Wrap-Up!” podcast, we find out how Stu celebrated. Let’s just say it had more to do about Mama Gotz and his kids than it was about him, but isn’t that the way a lot of Father’s Days go? Me, sure, Milo, our dog, licked me on the face, so I guess that was my Dad’s day gift!

Celebrating, though, wasn’t all the two of did over the weekend. Nope, Stu got to catch a Chicago Cubs game, I got to rake a lot of mulch thanks to some summer storms (were they really summer storms, though, if summer officially started today?), Stu saw “Killers” with Astton Kutcher, and I saw “It’s Complicated,” so, of course, we give our riveting movie reviews and commentary. Stu was handy, I drove all night for Donkey Chips, Stu likes a YouTube video making fun of the BP oil spill, and I’m watching Bethany getting married.

We do a lot over the weekend, and we do our best to tell you about it!

Thanks for listening!

That’s it for this one!  I’m The Dude on the Right!!  L8R!!!

When in Rome

I can usually like a romantic comedy, heck, I can even usually like a movie with "magic forces at work", but during my review of the Blu-ray release of "When in Rome," you’ll find out that event he cuteness of Kristen Bell, nor the acting ability of Danny De Vito, couldn’t help. There are a lot better romantic comedies out there, heck, even some you’ve probably already seen before, and maybe a tween might like this, but neither my BFF, nor myself, could find much to like about this one.