I can't believe that it was 4 years ago since I last blogged on this site. Things have really changed here. I started looking at some of my old contacts, and many of them have moved on. Is there anyone left here who even remembers when Danasdude was on the site?

A Good Day for Jack Bauer

Well, as some of you are aware, I have been occasionally lurking on the site. The lurking has consisted of checking my mod queue and moving on to other things. My total computer time on most days is 10 minutes or less and TV.Com has been getting just a passing glance. Saturday, I checked my queue and it was overloaded with submissions for Kiefer Sutherland. I went through those as per my duty as editor. All of the submissions enabled this person to overtake the editorship. Best wishes to MrOzzy on the guide. I am sure the guide will now receive the attention it deserves.  

My Time

Since my time is limited, I have been mostly checking sites for information on the shows that I watch. This means I have been using the sites as sources of information only. Sadly, my time as a member of the community is almost zero.  

Did I miss my opportunity?

Did I miss my opportunity to say goodbye to the Links Union? Somehow, all the old blogs disappeared along the way. Also, the blue boxies have been put out to pasture. They have vastly improved the whole icon thing from the looks of it. Wasn’t the whole point of the blue boxies that the users wanted more than the site was offering? Apparently, they got the message and improved. This is always nice to see.

Danasdude: A History

This is my memory lane for the site:

July 10 2005: First Blog – Comments to the blog? 0 

August 6: Summer Movie List Review

August 9: First Blog with 10 comments – Three of the comments were replies from me.

August 21: First Banner: It was based on 24. Of Course.

August 23: New Level System: I came up with my own levels.

September 1: Graduation: I graduated from the University of Phoenix.

October 2: New Fall Season Report Card

October 6: My first blog with links: I introduce some new friends.

October 7: Record 32 comment blog: MP3.Com relaunch discussion takes off in my blog

October 13: Everything I needed to learn, I learned from TV.Com

October 16: Family Tragedy Blog

October 18: Prison Break Banner Debuts: I put my name on this banner. The only problem was that I failed to size it correctly, so you couldn’t see it.

October 20: Bold Paragraph Titles Debut

October 22: First Editorship: Kiefer Sutherland and Joined Cult of the Named Butterfly

October 25: First Blue Box and Star Wars Banner Debut

October 27: First question appears in red

November 3: My 2nd editorship: Dennis Haysbert

November 4: Links Union is founded

November 6: Links Union Opening Ceremony

November 10: Trusted User: Neil Gaiman. First Blog with Multiple Emblems inside the Blue Box

November 15: Links Open In New Window

November 18: New Links Union Icon Revealed. Awarded Best Blog by voters on MidWestRocker’s blog.

December 2: Burning Questions Setup

February: Awarded the superlative as the Most Missed

May 6: Say Goodbye to editorship of Kiefer Sutherland.

Where to from here?

Now that I am one guide down, I have one less reason to visit the site. As time goes along, I would like to come back by and say hello, however. 

I hope that everyone is doing well, and I wish everyone the best.

Well, sometimes life happens. Between substitute teaching, babysitting my 3 year old, and a host of other duties, my TV.Com time has been down to zero. I just happened to have a few minutes and I thought I would drop by and say hello. TV wise things are really good right now. 24 is back on the air and having a great season so far. Although, it's "off with a bang" start was saddening. Battlestar has now matured past most of the expected twists and turns from the original series. The only thing left to mine from the original is the knowledge of Baltar's betrayal and that could take some time to come up. Apparantly, there have been many changes going on around here. Are they for the better?

[QUOTE="Stats"]

   Rank       : Freaks and Geeks  Level      :   22   Percentage :   54%            Increase   :   10%             Mood Level :    6  Blogs      :   96

The Outstanding Account I am in debt to all my friends here at TV.Com. I have been away for awhile without any real explanation. I am very sorry for that. The good news is I have been working steadily. The bad news is I am home today with the a cold/flu. We're a Couple of Misfits Here is a quick list of my 5 five annual Christmas animated shows: 5. Frosty The Snowman: The animation and storyline leave a little to be desired, but the song still gets me in the mood every time. 4. The Grinch: The cartoon. This classic 30 minute show is more fun than the entire live action movie. Exhibit A in the “never remake a classic” debate. 3. The Year Without Santa Claus: He’s Mr. White Christmas, he’s Mr. Snow. 2. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer: The Burl Ives Snowman started a trend of celebrity narrators. 1. A Charlie Brown Christmas: Clunky and uneven in places, this one manages to communicate more about the Christmas message than countless pulpit sermons. Seussical The Musical I got to go on my daughter’s field trip to Seussical The Musical. The local children’s theater here in Nashville put it on. They did an awesome job with a limited budget. In case you are unfamiliar with it, the storyline follows The Dr. Seuss elephant Horton as he hears a Who and hatches an egg. Some of his other children’s storylines are also woven into the production. The first graders loved the music and the spectacle. However, I was shocked that many of them did not catch the references such a Solla Selew and McElligot’s Pool. It kind of makes you wonder what they are reading in schools these days. People’s Choice Awards My final three People’s Choice Awards are listed below: Crest Whitestrips Fans Favorite Smile:Queen Latifah lights up a room with her smile. She always seems to be better than the movies in which she appears. Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore also ran in this category. Nice ‘N Easy Fans Favorite Hair: Faith Hill won the coin toss on this one. I am really unqualified to choose between her, Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Garner. Olay Total Effects Fans Favorite Look: Reese Witherspoon wins this one. Given the choice to pick between Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Aniston, I would pick neither. Sorry, Brad.

 Burning Questions 

Here are my

[QUOTE="Stats"]

   Rank       : Freaks and Geeks  Level      :   22   Percentage :   44%            Increase   :    2%             Mood Level :    6  Blogs      :   95

I Love You Just The Way You Are. But… I have moved my stats to the top. All those links at the bottom have now moved to a new permanent home titled “burning questions.” See below… Also, I don’t seem to be suffering from the White Screen of Death anymore. I now get a message that say, “I’ve never heard of insert name here” While I am glad they have an error message now, this doesn’t seem very user friendly. Has anyone else been getting this message? If so, do you like its wording or do you have a better suggestion? While I am in the mood for Top Ten Lists… Harrison Ford is one of my all time favorites. This is not really a Top Ten because I have lumped his multi-movie roles into a single entry. 1.Star Wars Trilogy: Han Solo. I need say no more. 2.Indiana Jones Trilogy: Give him a fedora and a whip and this dude can find some mean ancient artifacts. 3.Blade Runner: I liked this movie when it wasn’t cool to like this movie. For my money, the director’s cut with the cool synth music is the way to go. 4.Apocalypse Now: I love the smell of this movie in the morning. It is a good movie that Ford just happens to be in. 5.The Fugitive: He made this movie good with a guy with one arm tied behind his back. 6. Jack Ryan Double Bill: Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger put Tom Clancy on the map. Oh, there was that sub movie. Of course, if they wanted to kill the franchise, they could always add Ben Affleck. 7.What Lies Beneath: Is he a good guy? Is he a bad guy? 8. Air Force One: Best President named Harry since Truman. 9.Witness: Excellent contrast between good clean living and hard city life. 10.Regarding Henry: A really good “The worst thing that ever happened to him” is “The best thing that ever happened to him” story. Kleenex worthy. Honorable Mention: Frantic, Working Girl, Presumed Innocent, and Sabrina Dishonorable Mention: K19:The Widowmaker, The Mosquito Coast, Six Days Seven Nights, Hollywood Homicide, and Random Hearts What are your thoughts on Harrison Ford? People’s Choice Awards The final round of voting for the People’s Choice Awards is now open. Here are today’s picks: Favorite Family Movie:Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was really good but didn’t quite rise to the level of a classic. However, neither Chicken Little nor Madagascar gave it run for its money. Favorite Movie: Star Wars: EPIII narrowly beats Batman Begins because of its last fifteen minutes. Hitch seems like an “also ran” in this category.

 Burning Questions 

Here are my

Ruminations Sometimes I worry that my blogs may be too big and have too many links. Then I realize it is just my insanity acting up so I scratch it a few times and put it back in the box. Do You Trust Me? Midwestrocker has earned the honor of Trusted User of Kiefer Sutherland. And on that note… Top Ten Kiefer Sutherland Projects Up until recently, Kiefer’s best work has been as a supporting actor and the man with the voice. Ranking his work is difficult, but here is my take on it. 1. 24: Jack Bauer is the part he was born to play. 2. A Few Good Men: He plays the dirty rotten scoundrel in the military. 3. A Time To Kill: He plays a racist dirty rotten scoundrel. 4. The Lost Boys: He plays a vampire who is a well…you get the picture. 5. Flatliners: Didn’t he date somebody in this movie? Or was it after this movie? 6. Young Guns: My heroes have always been cowboys and/or outlaws. 7. Stand By Me: He plays a young punk who is a …why do I keep doing that? 9. Freeway: He plays a really nice lonely guy just looking for love. Oh, who am I kidding? He is the big bad wolf. 10.To End All Wars: Highly underrated film Honorable Mention: Truth or Consequences, N.M. The Three Musketeers. Dark City. Dishonorable Mention: Renegades. Bright Lights, Big City. And too many direct to video flicks to name. Best Voice Work 1. Phone Booth: His voice work made the movie. 2. Nascar 3D: Vroom Vroom never sounded so good. 3. The Flight that Fought Back: He narrates a documentary about Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. 4. The Land Before Time X: It’s never too early to identify quality. ;) 5. 24:”The following takes place” voice over is now immediately recognizable. Welcome to the Breakfast Club Many of you have sent me well wishes on my substitute teaching. Thanks so much for that. For the last two days, I have directed the high school and middle school band. I also taught kindergarten and first grade music. It is a pretty wide range of folks. My wife has taught at the school for over 10 years. I have known some of the students there nearly their whole lives. They treat me well there. I am almost like an uncle to them. The pay in money is somewhat slim. However, when the little boy in kindergarten who I had never seen before came up to me yesterday, gave me a hug, and told me he loved me, it reinforced my belief that it is not all about the money. People’s Choice Awards The final round of voting for the People’s Choice Awards is now open. Here are today’s picks: Favorite Movie Comedy: Hitch outruns The Longest Yard and withstands Wedding Crashers. Favorite Movie Drama:Beats Batman Begins and Coach Carter Star Wars:EPIII does. Is there anyone you know who spices their blogs up with links? Nominate them for the Links Union [QUOTE="Stats"]

   Rank       : Freaks and Geeks  Level      :   22   Percentage :   44%            Increase   :    2%             Mood Level :    6  Blogs      :   94    Serenity: Official Browncoats Site  What is my mood level?  Why is my butterfly named Miss Molly?  Why are my stats in a Blue Box?  Why do I submit only for people?  Why don't I have an editor and TU emblem?  The Not So Grand Jury Chronicles.  Here I am. Where are you?

Short Blog-A-Rama I am subbing for the Music teacher for the second day in a row. This is short notice by the school to me, so I didn’t have time to get the old blog together. People’s Choice Awards The final round of voting for the People’s Choice Awards is now open. Here are today’s picks: Favorite Female Performer: Faith Hill Favorite Male Performer: Tim McGraw Favorite Group: Green Day Favorite Tour: U2 [QUOTE="Stats"]

   Rank       : Freaks and Geeks  Level      :   22   Percentage :   42%            Increase   :   11%             Mood Level :    5  Blogs      :   93

Things I Have Suffered Because of TV.Com 10. Every time I take a step back I repeat myself. Every time I take a step back I repeat myself. 9. Blopping Insomnia. 8. Smiley Addiction. :D :D :D 7. Level Envy 6. Forum Trolls 5. I now refer to traffic signals as the Red Screen of Doom. 4. I have revised my beliefs on the existence of the bottomless pit. 3. Nightmares involving a smiling wooden puppet who doesn’t happen to be named Chucky. 2. Cult Participation 1. Real World Aversion Have you "suffered" anything differently? The Best Movies of the other “Buffy” While I am in the mood for lists, here’s my top ten Tom Hanks or the artist formerly known as a bosom buddy: 1. Forrest Gump: Is there anyone out there who can’t quote dialogue from this movie? 2. Saving Private Ryan: May history never forget the sacrifices of the ordinary men who did extraordinary things. 3. The Green Mile: Who knew prison and rodents could be this interesting? 4. Philadelphia: Once upon a time, a long time ago, a comedian turned into a great actor. 5. Road To Perdition: This road is paved with retribution. It gets better on repeated viewing. 6. Sleepless in Seattle: You cried the first time you saw it. Admit it. 7. A League of Their Own: The best grouchy lovable coach since Walter Matthau. 8. Cast Away: …And the Best Supporting Actor goes to Wilson. 9. Apollo 13: There is no problem here at all. 10. Big: This one is lovable goofy at its best. Honorable Mentions: Catch Me If You Can. Toy Story and Toy Story 2. Dishonorable Mentions: Bonfire of the Vanities. Ladykillers. What is your favorite Tom Hanks movie? People’s Choice Awards The final round of voting for the People’s Choice Awards is now open. Here are today’s picks: Favorite Late Night Talk Show Host: David Letterman tops Leno and O’Brian Favorite Daytime Talk Show Host: Oprah Winfrey beats…uh…who else was running? Ellen and Regis? Oh, yeah… Notable Quotable "I've made over 20 movies, and 5 of them are good." Tom Hanks. Thanks to IMDB.com [QUOTE="Stats"]

   Rank       : Freaks and Geeks  Level      :   22   Percentage :   31%            Increase   :    0%             Mood Level :    6  Blogs      :   92    Serenity: Official Browncoats Site  What is my mood level?  Why is my butterfly named Miss Molly?  Why are my stats in a Blue Box?  Why do I submit only for people?  Why don't I have an editor and TU emblem?  The Not So Grand Jury Chronicles.  Here I am. Where are you?

Tis the Season Well, I had a good Thanksgiving. How about you? It all started Thursday when my wife’s family converged at her aunt and uncle’s house. There were forty some odd people there, and nobody went home hungry. The turkey was deep fried, of course, and complimented with some pretty good dressing. My favorite sides though were seven layer salad and sweet potato casserole. Dessert was pecan pie, banana pudding, and peanut butter fudge. Friday was a shopping day, but more about that in a moment. Saturday, I met my side of the family at Cracker Barrel. Everyone was a little worn out with home cooking by then. Sunday morning, we went to Burger King for breakfast. My daughter wanted a Star Wars watch, but I said no since she doesn’t wear the one she already has. I am sneaking back today to get her one for Christmas. Sunday Afternoon, we made some Snowman cupcakes. They are a fun kid food, but are a lot of trouble to make and a lot of trouble to eat. I put my daughter to bed reading her favorite Christmas book. However, getting her up and getting her ready for school this morning was like dealing with someone else entirely. Still, once again this year, I am astounded that I have so much for which to be thankful. Oh, and I watched a lot of tv over the weekend. Anybody catch up on your television watching over the holiday? Friday, Blacky Friday Black Friday earned its name by being the day when many businesses show their first profit for the year. The best deals I heard about were for a computer and a camera, neither of which I am in the market for. While we didn’t venture out into the early morning rush, we did take a leisurely stroll through the local outlet mall. My brother and sister-in-law joined us and we enjoyed the outing very much. We got some stocking stuffers at Claires and at KB toys. My wife got a timer at one of the kitchen places as a means of getting my daughter to hurry up when she is doing chores. Did you do any shopping over the holiday? Check Please… However, the weirdest part of Friday came when we had finished shopping and had gone out to eat. We went to O’Charleys which is one of our favorite local stops. My brother and sister and law and us all had babysitting for the little ones, so it was a nice time to get together. The waiter started out by saying, “I am here to serve you. I promise I am going to take good care of you.” He then proceeded to be one of the worst waiters we have ever had, and certainly the worst we have ever encountered at that particular restaurant. Here’s the rub. If he hadn’t come off so arrogantly at the beginning, all of us would have been forgiving. However, it got so bad; we had to flag down another waitress to try to help us. My solution with bad service is to adjust the tip accordingly. However, my sister in law was so upset; she went to see the manager. The manager conferred with our second waitress, and the next thing we know the manager is telling us our bill has been taken care of. My wife and I don’t usually complain in restaurants. We are the kind that just won’t come back if the food or service isn’t good. However, the manager seemed generally pleased that she had been made aware of the situation, and seemed glad to get the opportunity to do something to make it right. Somehow from her tone and actions, I get the feeling that the guy who was our first waiter won’t be there when we go back. Have you ever had non-service at a restaurant? If so, what did you do? People’s Choice Awards The second round of voting for the People’s Choice Awards is now open. Here are today’s picks: Favorite Female TV Star: Jennifer Love Hewitt wins in front of Teri Hatcher and Jennifer Garner. I think “none of the above” is the best choice. Favorite Male TV Star:Kiefer Sutherland wins in a landslide against Ray Romano and Charlie Sheen. Go Union Is there anyone you know who spices their blogs up with links? Nominate them for the Links Union . Don’t Dawdle. Doodle. If you need a site that allows you to blow off a little steam, then check this out. Notable Quoatable "Give this new anchor team for 'Nightline' a fair break. If you don't, I promise you the network will just put another comedy show in this timeslot and then you'll be sorry." Ted Koppel signing off on his final "Nightline." Thanks to TVgal. [QUOTE="Stats"]

   Rank       : Freaks and Geeks  Level      :   22   Percentage :   31%            Increase   :   53%             Mood Level :    6     Serenity: Official Browncoats Site  What is my mood level?  Why is my butterfly named Miss Molly?  Why are my stats in a Blue Box?  Why do I submit only for people?  Why don't I have an editor and TU emblem?  The Not So Grand Jury Chronicles.  Here I am. Where are you?

Rain fall down upon this world Cover seed, flower unfurl Beauty rare and so sublime But it can't compare to all that's mine. What is man in all his life If he's alone without his wife Perfect union evermore This is all that life is for Dana who is all my life Perfect Mother, Perfect Wife Em who makes the sun to shine The star's are Audrey Caroline's King sits on his throne of gold Diamonds, rubies, wealth untold Marching soldiers all in line But it can't compare to all that's mine This is an old poem of mine. Dana is my wife, Emily and Audrey are my daughters. :) Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!