Kenparazzi Classic: March 2008

Proof that I'm a tough guy:  I slung an entire 12 pack over my shoulder in my living room.  Two ply.

Folding a burrito

I posted a Tweet tonight (twitter.com/kencarr) about my frustration with folding a burrito.

I made myself a breakfast burrito for dinner.  I cooked some eggs (for those of you who know me its probably shocking I know how to turn a stove on) and added some precooked bacon, a little salsa, and some cheese.  Nothing rockstar about it.

I went to fold it and the damn thing split wide open.  I've seen the hard workin' folks at Taco Bell do it from my side of the counter and they always come out perfect.  I try it, and end up eating my burrito with a knife and fork because the tortilla splits and the contents spill onto the plate.

I did a YouTube search hoping I'd find a video that illustrates the proper way to do it.  Unfortunately, the best example I found was the video below.  After watching it I decided I'll keep trying but I will undoubtedly still keep the knife and fork handy.

Me and my stomach bug

I spent the weekend in bed.

If you're a nympho, you'd consider this a wonderful thing.  If you were me this weekend, you were in bed because you had two days of some sort of stomach bug that turned your butt into a chocolate shake machine.

I don't like being sick.  Nobody does, but I'm a whiner.  I just want to get over it and get back to my regular routine.

I think it was some sort of bacterial thing that flushed through my system because after resuming eating solid food late Sunday afternoon the chocolate shake machine returned to its original function.  If I had the flu it probably would have lasted a lot longer.

I was tired going back to work today but seem to be returning to normal.  Normal for me anyway!

Two men and a freezer

I live in an apartment complex near Tucson Mall.  I've been in this apartment since spring of 2007.  I like living here and the management has always been wonderful.

I've had a variety of neighbors during that time which is pretty normal for apartments.

The neighbors that currently live across from me in the one bedroom have been interesting to say the least.

Two guys live there.  I assume one of them sleeps on the couch.  They regularly have their music loud during the day and have a couple of dogs including a big spotted dog and a little chihuahua.  They sit outside their front door smoking weed a lot and have over the usual string of trashy girls that guys like that usually do.

Tonight's episode of their going's on has been the funniest yet.

One of them drives a little blue pickup and installs satellite dishes.  He apparently bought a freezer and had it in the back of the truck.  He decided that it wouldn't be convenient to have it carried from the parking lot.  So, he backed it up over the curb and over the landscaped rocks and sidewalks up to their front door.  Not once, not twice, but three different times.  Twice they attempted to unload it but for some reason I'll never know they were unsuccessful.  I thought maybe they couldn't fit it through the door but the third time was the charm.  I had to laugh though because taking it through the door on the third attempt caused one of them to smash their hand.

The kitchens in these apartments aren't big enough for a full size freezer.  So, I'm guessing it'll be taking up a chunk of their living room.  They barbecue often so I'm going with the assumption that they are going to keep their meat in there.

Both of them have mentioned to me when I've seen them outside that they are moving this summer to North Carolina.  Maybe its more normal to have a full size freezer in your living room there!

Here's the freezer in the truck:

Kenfession: Why I like sports

I like sports.

I like sports for a reason that doesn't make sense to most people.  I like the underdog.

I used to try and pick teams to cheer for.  That got boring for me.  I have found myself cheering for the underdog at most every sport, every game, every event.

I have reflected on this a bit and I've decided its because I consider myself an underdog.  I've never been ridiculously good at anything.  I've been the guy that scrapes and battles to make it to the next day.  I've managed to sustain my career and employment thanks to compensating for what I don't have by working harder than most everyone else. I am willing to make sacrifices that most people aren't.

I've really enjoyed this year's NCAA Basketball Tournament because its been the year of the underdog.  I was sad that Cornell lost to Kentucky and excited when Butler won.  I get excited to see the teams that aren't supposed to win actually win.  For example, I was thoroughly excited when the New Orleans Saints won the Superbowl.

Sports are entertainment.  Sports also include stories of triumph over tragedy, good versus evil, preparation and execution, and even if you're dominant you can never let your guard down because someone is waiting for their chance.

Its amazing how much like life sports really are.

Update 3/28:  The final four is set:  West Virginia, Butler, Duke and Michigan State.  Only Duke is a number one seed.  The year of the underdog continues!

I left the iron on

I came home from work tonight at about 2 a.m. and as I walked past my spare bedroom/office/room where everything random is put I saw a strange orange blinking light.

I live alone so I couldn't imagine what in the hell it was.

I walked into the room and I just about had a heart attack.  It was my iron!

I ironed a shirt to wear today and I had forgotten to turn off and unplug the iron.  Its the first time I've ever done that in my entire life.

I had a sense of relief when I realized that I had purchased an iron years ago (I want to say it was 2002 but I can't recall for sure, I've had the thing for quite a while) that has an automatic shutoff in case its left on.

I will bet I never do that again.  Unless this is the first sign of Alzheimer's!

Dancing With The Stars 10th season premiere

The 10th season of Dancing With the Stars premieres tonight on ABC (KGUN 9 in Tucson).

I love this show.  Not because I have any interest in dancing but because they pick awesome casts.  The lineup is always a combination of a few relevant stars in today's pop culture and some odd choices.

I have cheered on Cloris Leachman, Jerry Springer, Aaron Carter, Kelly Osbourne and Tom DeLay in past seasons.  The quirkier they seem to be in this competition the better in my opinion.

The lineup for this season:  Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Olympic figure skater Evan Lysacek, former "Baywatch" actress Pamela Anderson, reality stars Kate Gosselin and Jake Pavelka, sportscaster Erin Andrews, singer Nicole Scherzinger (Pussycat Dolls), football player Chad Ochocinco (that last name change is still one of the lamest things on the planet), and actors Shannen Doherty, Aiden Turner and Niecy Nash.

For the record, I'm cheering on Buzz Aldrin.  He already went to the moon.  This should be easy!

Apprentice is returning to NBC

Celebrity Apprentice just kicked off its latest season on NBC.

Now, producers Mark Burnett and Donald Trump have announced they are bring back the original Apprentice.  You know, the Apprentice show for non-celebrities (like Omarosa?!)

Here's the new twist:  The 14 contestants participating in the new season will be people who have been affected by the recession.  Laid off, unhappy with current career path, recently graduated with few possibilities, etc.

They haven't announced when the new season will begin but you can submit an e-mail if you'd like to be considered as a contestant.  castingnbcapprentice@gmail.com

Michael Jackson still making money after he's dead!

Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009.

His influence as an artist continues after his death.  Sony Music and Michael Jackson's estate have announced a blockbuster deal:  $250 million for up to ten albums.

Despite the fact that Michael had not had an album of new music for years prior to his death, he had continued to write and record music and his estate has the audio.  There is reportedly enough new music for at least three albums and possibly more.

They'll have to have producers polish it up to match the standards of Michael's previous albums before release.  No word on who for sure is going to be commissioned to do the work although the rumor mill includes Quincy Jones.

Here's are a couple of impressive statistics:

Number of albums sold since his death:  31 million
Expected profit for his estate by the first anniversary of his death:  $250 million

Kenparazzi: Josh - April 2006

I was looking through the zillion photos I have saved online.

Its amazing how long ago four years seems.  This photo is from April 2006 with Josh.

Here's why its amazing:  I still have that sweater.

I apparently need to do some shopping.  Somehow that feels tragic.

Anth loses his Cinnabon cherry

I was shocked to discover that Anthony had never had Cinnabon.

Cinnabon, which in Tucson is at Park Place and Tucson Mall as well as most major airports, is pure awesomeness (in this boy's opinion).

Hot giant cinnamon roll, freshly baked, with incredible icing (get extra icing, so worth the 35 cents).

I took Anthony to Tucson Mall yesterday so he could get his first taste of Cinnabon.  With extra icing!

He may never eat another regular ol' cinnamon roll again!

Kenparazzi Classic: Brandon's a lady (1995)

Here's Brandon, my bff, in the photo that I drive him crazy with.

He tried radio for a few years (and now works for a company that makes big fancy cross linked polyethylene storage tanks) and was sent by the KMIX morning show out to stand on a street corner in this outfit.

I give him crap about it, but it was a lot of fun.  And I got this once in a lifetime photo of him out of it in 1995:



Snooki's (from MTV's Jersey Shore) poof has nothing on this poof.

Oh baby!

I'm going to share a secret.

At one time in my life, I was a lot shorter and smaller.  When I was a baby!

Its funny (to me) that I have the same haircut now as I did then.

Here I am at five months old.  By the way, apparently color hadn't been invented then.

Tommy's Erection

I'm going to state this at the beginning of this post:  It's not what you think.

My drive to work today included rolling by the under construction Quik Trip on Kolb just east of Tanque Verde.  I glanced over and saw a truck with a boom on the top putting up the canopied cover over where the gas tanks are going to be.  On the side of the boom it said "Tommy's Erection".

Huh?

A little Google search confirmed what I thought.  Tommy's Erection is a company that erects things like the canopy at that Quik Trip.  I would have been late if I had stopped and taken a picture of the truck so you'll have to take my word for it that is what was on the side of the boom.

I think its a tee-hee moment to think that someone would, on purpose, name their company Tommy's Erection.  Tommy's Erection doesn't have a website so Tommy's Erection can't be very big.  But, I have to say that Tommy's Erection was working very hard when I spotted Tommy's Erection.

I can imagine the phone conversations at that business.  "Hello, Tommy's Erection.  Yes, we do erections.  Is that a difficult place to get to?  That might be a hard erection."

If you want something that's laying down put up then call Tommy's Erection.

Tucson Festival of Books

The Tucson Festival of Books is this weekend on the University of Arizona campus tomorrow and Sunday.

Its a big deal from what it sounds like with authors, books, panels and discussions. (Its free if you want to attend open from 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. both days.)

I am on a list of moderators on their website even though I didn't agree to participate. I considered it but felt I wouldn't be good for two reasons: 1.) I read a whole book approximately once every ten years and 2.) I wouldn't know any of the authors, books, or own an argyle sweater, pipe or slippers (my perception of the required wardrobe for reading a book).

I wouldn't even know how to moderate a panel at a book festival. "So, you chose white pages with black print. Why did you go with that?"

I will gladly volunteer my local celebrity-ness for most anything. Except for being a judge at a food / cooking competition (that comes with a nightmare back in the day for me involving tasting over 50 kinds of salsa in an hour and getting a stomach ache and runny nose while nursing hangover and having a car accident on the way to the event) and a book festival moderator. I have to stick with what I know. If a "Bacon: The Best Second Meat On A Bun Festival" or "I Talk A Lot In Quiet Places And Laugh At My Own Lame Jokes Festival" needs a local celebrity to be present I'll be at the front of the line!

Lady Gaga & Beyonce video of "Telephone"

Music videos aren't much of an event anymore.  They're pretty much on demand online (as opposed to when they were a big deal on MTV back in the day).  But, this has to be one of the most anticipated music videos I've heard of in a long time.

It reminds me a bit of the actual theatrical types of music videos Michael Jackson did way back.  I'm not drawing a direct comparison.  I'm just sayin'.

Here is the unedited vid:

Brownies from Mike Neylan!

Big shout out to Mike Neylan.  Mike and I follow each other on Twitter and he was kind enough to bring a treat to 'ol Ken today:  Brownies!

To be specific (according to his Twitter post):  Dark chocolate brownies with Ganache frosting.

Mike's a personal chef.  He makes awesome food.  Use him if you need a caterer or event cooked up.

His website:  http://www.partytimepersonalchefservices.com/

He told me today that these were a favorite of Martha Stewart's that he made for her when he was back east.  I believe it!

I'm gonna go eat my brownies!

MacGruber movie

You've probably seen the MacGruber short comedy pieces on Saturday Night Live.  MacGruber is the spoof SNL created of the old MacGyver television show.  Now, MacGruber is going to be a full length movie.  It comes out May 21 in theaters.

Here's the trailer:

Ultimate Electronics opens in Tucson

Ultimate Electronics opened its first store in Tucson recently.  Its in the old Circuit City location at Oracle and Wetmore.

I noticed it was open when I drove by there a few days ago.  It looks pretty from the outside!

Kenparazzi: Sapphire Nightclub

I paid my first visit to Sapphire Nightclub in downtown Tucson on Friday night.

The Kenparazzi caught the Ken Carr lookalike contest.  Its so hard to choose which one looks most like me!

Kenparazzi: Wendy's Birthday

It was Wendy's birthday at Monsoon Nightclub.  We took a picture together in 2009 when it was her birthday.

2009:


The 2010 birthday photo(s):

Kenparazzi: Joey and JP

Here's Joey and JP from the Mega promotions staff:


Joey learns how to roll an electric cord under the watchful eye of JP.  Ken Carr takes photo of the attempt.  The end.

Kenparazzi: Debbie's Birthday

Debbie's birthday at Monsoon Nightclub inside Desert Diamond Casino!

Dancin' fools!


The fog was a bonus.


Jean.


Marcus & Jean.

Working in media can be dangerous!

You've probably heard of Dr. Drew.  He is on the syndicated radio show Loveline, he's starred in the Celebrity Rehab series on VH1, plus numerous talk show appearances.  He's a doctor, too.

TMZ.com is reporting that a man (Charles Pearson) who allegedly threatened to murder Dr. Drew's family was arrested today and charged with felony stalking.

Mr. Pearson has been sending Dr. Drew threatening messages over the internet including one in which Pearson said he would kill Dr. Drew's children and make his wife eat them.  Pearson also claims Dr. Drew has placed a tracking device in his genitals.  (I thought only wives did that to their husbands).

It never occurs to me that there is a possibility I could ever encounter someone like that.  I have a public job but it doesn't occur to me that there could be dangers like crazy people.

My biggest worry is a bad hair day!

Beards grow faster on men who have sex on the regular

I read today that beards apparently grow faster on men who have sex regularly.

I think that fact brings up two things:

Who has the free time to measure this stuff?

Why aren't I tripping over my beard when I walk?

Does karma work?

I found a random person's debit card on the ground outside of the Circle K at Limberlost and 1st Avenue on Saturday night.

I debated on whether to just turn it in to the clerk at Circle K and decided it would be better to wait and call Bank Of America (the bank that has this person's account) and let them know so they could disable the card.  I called this morning and after giving them the card number they told me to cut it up.  Snip snip snip!

These days it seems it gets harder and harder to find ethical or honest people.  The person who owns the card may not even know that they lost it.

Does doing the right thing deliver good karma?  I don't know if I believe in that kind of thing.  But, if I lost my card I would hope some stranger would do the same for me.

I don't know the cardholder but hopefully today they'll be glad some stranger did the right thing.  Betzy Anaid Soto, you're welcome.