Archive for the ‘Clayton Hein’ Category

Here’s Wednesday’s State of the Union by President Barack Obama, in case you missed it.
I really enjoyed listening to the president. I didn’t really care for all of the excessive clapping after each point and counterpoint. Can’t we just let the guy say what he’s got to say and then applaud him as he leaves the room?
I’ll be honest, I didn’t listen to all of the his speech. I like a lot of Americans who rallied around his ideals during his election, have started to feel like his armor has dulled a little. He’s the president, but it doesn’t seem like he’s knight he was when he took office.
Has he made the right choices in every sector? I don’t really know the answer to that question.
He’s been in the for about one year, and after watching him last night and based on my impression of his determination, I’m backing the guy again.
The country is a messed up place, but I’ll back him.
Texas is a messed up place, but I’ll back him. Heck, even Wichita Falls is starting to feel the effects. I’m tired of hearing about layoffs, especially in this city.
Like his campaign strategy before, all I can do is hope. That is all anyone can do. I just hope we, the nation, are tough enough to see a lot of our dividing and common problems come to a end.

Last semester, during some odd week, probably in November, a group of MSU students decided to test their mettle and the temperament of others around them and hosted a viewing of the legendary smut work, “Debbie Does Dallas.”
I call it a win.
I might view things a little differently than a lot of people, it might be because I’m from that younger generation that is good for nothing.
MSU progresses a little further (I’m not sure which direction, but it’s a direction nonetheless) and the students get to see that their university, or at least someone on campus, doesn’t mind throwing caution into the wind.
In the last 10 years that I’ve been associated with the university this move by the students might be the riskiest move I’ve seen. Sure we’ve had Ben Stein, but he’s no “Debbie Does Dallas.”
Regardless of what I think about the actual event, I heard a nasty little rumor on campus yesterday that blew my mind.
Midwestern, directly or indirectly, lost about $4 million in donations from said showing of smut.
I don’t know how much of that rumor is true, but who doesn’t love a good rumor. They could have possibly received a little more than they would have by showing the movie, but it looks like they took a major hit from the ones with deeper pockets.
I know it might sting now, but I think it might be showing the current student body backbone for the decisions that passed through the university.
I certainly hope it wasn’t as catastrophic a number as $4 million. I can only guess that figure might represent a third of the total donations to the school last year, maybe more. And now the university is saddled with the responsibility of cutting $1.2 million from their budget.
Lord, help them.
And I’ll add that I don’t exactly have my ear to the ground with anyone important that works for the university, and this figure might be more than public knowledge by now, but I figured I’d go ahead and get it out there anyway.

I’ll start off by saying I had a blast at the Harlem Globetrotters game last night. Those guys know how to put on a show.
Sure, a little of their generational thunder was taken by the And 1 nonsense, but I’m glad I was able to see what they were capable of last night.
It was my first time seeing them. I always wanted to see what they could do, but just never had the time or cash, I guess.
But if I could just say one thing about last night’s performance – and I’ll stick to strictly calling it a performance – I wish the Generals, those dastardly Generals, would but up more of a fight. I might root for them – I love an underdog – if they tried to stop the show on the other side of the court.
It’s cool to see the same play ran over and over again with a little razzle dazzle at the top of the key, but would the Globetrotters really play well against a more adept opponent.
I know it has a purpose, and I’m pretty sure it is for the kids and the kids in all of us.
My son, for one, had a heck of a time. I made last night a father-son night, but it can be hard given his age. He’s only 2-years old, so his attention span ran out a little bit before halftime.
He got his mini- basketball and he got his autographs, and of course it was a lot better after he had M&Ms in hand. So we sat there and watched.
He watched the antics as I pointed them out and I watch one team on the court. The Generals are there to make the Globetrotters look good. So I’ll just lump them together. They’ve been playing each other for years and it’ll be that way for a while, I assume.
I’m just glad I was able to go this time.

Here is William Shatner’s interpretation of Sarah Palin’s speech from her resignation.
I really laughed a lot, so you might have to rewind this a couple of times to hear what Shatner is trying to achieve.

I’m involved with the Muscular Dystrophy lockup Wednesday at Texas Roadhouse and I thought I would take my fund raising efforts to the internet.
Please follow this link and help out if you can.
Every little bit helps. I got a picture in the mail Monday from Shylah Cutbirth. Read her note below, then think a little bit more about what you can give.

I wish I wasn’t so late in adding this photo gallery, but here are just a few photographed moments in the man’s life that I wanted to share with everyone that reads my blog. Enjoy and remember the genius.
I always remember how scared I got when I heard Vincent Price’s laugh. That video, “Thriller,” just did something for and to me and hopefully crafted my musical tastes that I have today. My brother and I beat each other up over who was going to listen to the “Bad” album in their walkman.
The man had some of the greatest records ever made and I’m glad I was around to experience it. I still have my Thriller and Off the Wall LPs.

All I could do was laugh cry at what Jon Stewart put together last night about the past, present and future of print journalism.
Just watch and enjoy.

(Clayton note: This is a rerun blog from November 26, 2007)
I figured it wouldn’t be a good story if I couldn’t tell anyone about it, so here goes nothing. Saturday my brother got hitched. Good wedding – I’m assuming – nice presents and a good reception.
Everything about the wedding went according to plan.
Fortunately for me I was selected to be the best man. What an honor. I’ve never thrown a bachelor party before. I’ve only been to my own, and we just went bar hopping. It was fun, but I didn’t know much different Friday night.
My brother’s father-in-law set us up with a room at the Days Inn… (thank you Days Inn staff for not calling the cops by the way.)
We went to a couple of bars, nothing too crazy. It was my brother, two sibling groomsmen, a guy from the Mississippi, a newly married man and me. We were met up by a few others but the before mentioned group was the life of the party.
We went to Stage West for 50-cent drinks. (Thank you Lord for inventing the 50-cent drink night.) Then we hit up Old Town and saw a ton of old buddies. It was a nice night overall. After that my buddies went to Maximus. I stayed in the parking lot. I had spent all of the money I withdrew for the day on gay bachelor party gifts — his name was Butch and he was fabulous — and booze.
Maximus was the last stop on the Bachelor Party fun map.
Don’t really know how it happened but my friends were able to convince an “employee” to visit the ol’ hotel room. I think she heard $ and perked up.
To tell the truth, I had no idea who the girl was until much, much, much later. Like next morning later. We all went back to the hotel, high-school party style, and drank and drank some more. Some friends puked and some passed out in the hotel lobby. (If you see me on the streets I’d be happy to show you the video.)
So about 6 a.m. rolls around and I figure then was as good a time as ever to get some zzz’s with only about 12 hours to go until the wedding.
I wake up at 9 a.m. and three of the groomsmen were gone, but the stripper wasn’t. It was her, my bro and me…all alone.
Dilemma of that day. Wake up the girl and shoo her out? Or let my brother, the only person in the room beside the stripper, worry about the problem.
Have a good one bro….
(Clayton note: This is a rerun blog from November 26, 2007)

First Bank, a bank that I used to work for and who I have a great relationship – when I’m not overdrawn, has to get with the program on their mobile website access.
For about a week or two, I’ve tried checking my bank account using my iPhone, a common occurrence in Wichita Falls assuming the number of unique visitors we get from people who visit TRN.com with a cell phone browser.
I’ll give them props for taking the initiative to develop a mobile web page. But don’t launch it if it doesn’t work.
First Bank has the know how to develop a mobile browser and then to launch a script that will redirect all of the phone users to the mobile site.
But if it doesn’t work – and after talking to a rep yesterday who couldn’t give me a date on the physical launch – keep it in the developmental stage.
I forget to pay my DSL bill and my account has been suspended (sad, I know). The only way for me to check my account is on my phone. Now, I’m unable to do so.
And after paying for the cell phone data plan I should be able to check the real web, rain or shine.
Most mobile sites have a link to visit the real site (ESPN, Twitter, etc…) So please First Bank, take down the site that doesn’t work, or give me a real launch date to work with.
I don’t want to hear the “when management thinks its ready to launch, we’ll make it live” statement.

Watch this mashup of Nappy Boy and the Muppets – “Dream Girl.” I did see Animal, so I’m a little excited because he would be my drummer of choice if I was in a band.

So I ran across Eminem’s new album “Relapse” and I’m impressed. The 20-ish tracks are everything a fan of the great white rapper would expect.
Yes, he’s crazy. But crazy in a good way. Right?
There are a couple of disturbing moments in the album, but I don’t know if I’m grossed out because I’ve aged five years since the last time I heard one of his albums, or because it actually is crazy that he’s mentioning such a thing (child molestation).
I really like a couple of songs, I love a few and some others I could do without – mainly the singles that you’ve probably heard.
He hasn’t put out an album in a while and I don’t really count “Curtain Call.” “Relapse” is just as good, if not better than “Encore.” “The Marshall Mathers LP” is my favorite single collection of an Eminem moment.
The thing that amazes me is that he still has a that wit and hits it out the park with ridiculous word skills. His skill still shines bright on “Relapse.”
He also isn’t afraid to pull punches. He mentions an overdose and Health Ledger in one sentence if that gives you any indication. Is it too early to play around with the death of the Joker? Not for Eminem.
On the the album you’ll find that he goes into the closet to address the rehab stint that keep him away from rap and the death of his close friend Proof. Not exactly the run of the mill stuff for the average citizen, but entertaining nonetheless.
So, my advice, buy the “Relapse” tomorrow when it comes out. I’m going to wait for the vinyl release, which should be next week, May 26th.

So ESPN posted their spin on the Alex Rodriguez book and detailed an interview that Sports Illustrated writer Selena Roberts gave about her forthcoming novel.

The story/book says that Alex didn’t stop using steroids when he was a Yankee and even went on further to say that he used steroids in high school. Alex admitted to using when he was a Texas Ranger and only when he was a Ranger.

From what I read, the ESPN story goes off an interview that Roberts had on Dan Patrick’s radio show Thursday morning and a story from the New York Daily News

But the story also goes on to bullet point a couple of things from the book, the most shocking being that Alex frequented Hooters the restaurant, probably a lot, and that he didn’t tip well.

Really can’t believe that the book dug that deep and looked into his “inappropriate” tipping at Hooters. I’m sure if Alex was “hound“ and went to Hooters a lot, then he probably tipped enough to send some of those girls to college and more. Any tip is a good tip nowadays.

I’ll admit most guys go to Hooters for the scenery. Granted, if you want to go to Hooters and tip for the scenery and a order of chicken wings, be my guest. The waitress probably flirted with you or your wife enough (if you have the gusto to take your wife with you) to deserve a bigger tip.

But don’t tell me they didn’t mind the attention they got from a superstar. I’m sure that was worth it for the waitress. And If he only tipped 15 percent, I’m sure it was still a pretty big chunk of change.

When rich people go to eat out they don’t look at the prices. Alex ordered probably what he wanted and paid for everyone that tagged along, which would amount to a pretty big tip. My 15 percent of my little $20 order is a little different from his 15 percent on his $100 order. And he has the budget to go more often.

So thanks ESPN for the awesome look at Alex Rodriguez’s life.

A couple of random NBA playoffs thoughts:
1. The Mavs are actually playing like a team. After closing out the Spurs Tuesday night some of the respect that I lost for the Mavs has returned. (I almost became a OKC Thunder fan, then I had to remind myself they are an Oklahoma team once removed from Seattle.)
They didn’t lose in the first round. “Happy, happy, joy, joy,” says Ren & Stimpy.
I don’t know when Mark Cuban will start crying after they lose in the second round, but I’m predicting game 3. They Mavs will more than likely play the Nuggets and I don’t really think the two teams match up that well.
The Mavs are better inside, but the Nuggets have the Birdman, Chris Anderson. Nene can dominate, but he hasn’t really don’t that much so far. Jason Kidd might have a better time staying in front of Chauncey Billups than he did trying to keep up with Tony Parker.
There isn’t a person on the team that can contain Carmelo Anthony when he gets going. I’m sure someone might give it an honest effort, but that’s about it.
I will add that I haven’t seen him play his heart out since he won the national championship at Syracuse. He grimaces too much, either at the call or the namby-pamby foul he just took.
J.R. Smith can also shoot the lights out when he gets going. I wanna say his 3-point percentage is somewhere in the amazing category.
2. I’m hoping the Cavs win the whole thing. And I hope they do it against the Lakers. I really enjoy watching LeBron James play. I could watch that guy play a game of 21/Horse/Pig/layups and I’d be interested.
3. Isn’t it weird watchin the playoffs and not seeing Shaq? He’s the man and you all know it.
4. Dwight Howard better work on his mid-range game if he really wants to take his team to the promise land. He can win all the dunk competitions he wants, but all that really tells me is that he should be able to block minimum of 7 shots a game with his timing and athleticism. He can technically alter all the shots he wants and appease the announcers/coaches, but he better be able to get those 7 blocks.
5. Finally, watch this video and try to tell me the NBA isn’t amazing.
PAUL BROGAN – MVP 2009

This is a pretty strong allegation, but I might just have to agree. Whoever compiled this video had a lot of time and Disney films on their hands.

Watch this and just try and imagine if you’ve seen anything in the film industry that has been done over and over.

I don’t know who sings the song; I’m guessing its French. Enjoy and do a little dance and buy another Disney film. Some film is about to go back into the vault.

Don’t want to admit this, but the leaked copy of the new Wolverine film is pretty sweet. The affects haven’t caught up to the finished product, but the overall zeal is there.

Again Hugh Jackman does an amazing job as Wolverine.

For those that don’t really know the plot, here goes. Wolverine, aka Logan, is doing his everyday thing growing up when he unintentionally kills someone.

He and his brother end up running from their problems for what seems like a century and later join an elite task force consisting of other mutants to do a “Blackwater” type job on mutants.

But Logan grows a conscience in the process and leaves the task force. But not before the leader of the group, William Stryker, can get his hands on a rare and precious (completely fake) metal, adamantium, to facilitate the creation of Weapon XI.

Logan’s bones are fused with adamantium and presto – Wolverine, or Weapon X if you’re a purest.

There’s some steps I’ve missed in between, but I don’t want to drag down the film with my regurgitation of the entire plot.

But now there’s a problem. Sabertooth is out killing mutants rogue-style and Wolverine gets in the way. And so the rivalry is born between Sabertooth and Wolverine. Wolverine can do things Sabertooth can’t, and Sabertooth takes it personal.

Liev Schreiber, playing Sabertooth, does a pretty good job. He tries to do a little accent thing here and there that didn’t really do it for me though. Granted I watched the film on a two and a half inch screen, so don’t really take my word for it.

People who watch this film are either comic book nerds/fandimaniacs, or are groups (notice how I didn’t single out ladies in this category) with crushes on Jackman.

I don’t blame either. Go see the film when it opens. I think it’ll be in theaters in a couple of months.

This was my final four prediction when the tournament started. You could say that I’ve done OK. I wish I would have nailed the Oklahoma-loss-to-Syracuse pick, but oh well.
I’ve never won a so called “Office Pool.” I’ve tried, trust me, but I’ve never been able to get over that Final Four hump. I pick a couple of upsets and go with the least favorited team of final four predictions to win the entire tournament. Hence the pick of Connecticut to win the whole thing. People really like UNC and Memphis coming in.
I didn’t see Michigan State making the Final Four at all. But out all the teams that are left I really could see them pulling it off against Conn and then losing to the Tar Heels. Ty Lawson is playing like a superstar. Tyler Hansbrough, not so much.
This sheet is currently leading a competition with a group of friends. If either Villanova or Connecticut win Saturday, than I’ll win the bragging rights. A championship banner for the Huskies would only add a cherry to my sundae.
I’ll be sure to run around (destination unknown) and shout from that area that I’m king. King of what, I have no idea.
Wish me luck, I could use a little.

You really have to watch this trailer.
I have had maybe one or two nights like this in my life, but I’ve never had one like this in Vegas.
No, I’ve never woken up with a tiger in the bathroom or sharing a hotel room with Mike Tyson, but I’ve had some fun.
And I haven’t been to Vegas since I was a little one. All I really remember is my brother winning some awesome stuffed animals at Circus Circus. Cloudy memory, so take that one for what it’s worth.
Never lost a friend though, which seems to be the main comedic focus of this film. A little “Dude, Where’s My Car” meets “Very Bad Things.” ‘Where’s My Car’ was a little lame, so I hate comparing this trailer to that film but its the best that I could think of.
Anyways, enjoy.

I don’t really know why I twitter, and I don’t know the tenses of the words so I’m not sure if I’m tweeting while on Twitter.

Anyways, I’ve liked it since I started about one month ago. Its fun to try out. I suggest starting lightly.

Now that I have the access to twitter all the time I typically do it. When I’m bored I’ll see what Questlove, the drummer of the Roots, is up to at 1 in the morning, or I’ll see what Jimmy Fallon is doing with his so called life.

But I’ve also started twatting the news from the Times Record News homepage, since I’m a company man, I try to keep my minuscule amount of followers up to date.

Look me up if you’re twittering.

I don’t care if you like Jim Cramer, and I don’t care if you like Jon Stewart, but you have to watch this interview.
For the past couple of days the media has been hyping up this fued between Stewart and Cramer because Stewart was doing his job of making fun of people and CNBC got in the way.
So last night, Thursday, the two got together and had a good talk. A lot of things were put out on the table that I don’t think a lot of people understand and acutally know about what was going on.
I’m not going to pretend that I know the least bit on what happened in the financial sector, but I’m glad to see this feet to the fire is still being done by some people.
Watch this and you might gain, at least, a little understanding on what happened to the economy over the past year(s).
Comments would be appreciated. You can watch the unedited video on Jon Stewart’s website.