This guy is a good writer. Don’t miss this one.
And that’s all I need to say. Go ahead, talk amongst yourselves.

PeAcE,
DeRoin.

Now I’m not very old, but I notice that not many of the toys I loved as a kid are still around.  Most people have gone on to way more technologically advanced things.  Sure there is still a Barbie and lots of Hot Wheels, but whatever happened to those Cabbage Patch kids?  Yes, those ones that had a recall because some ate kids’ hair.  Where did the trading cards go?  People used to have all the major league sports and a whole array of made up ones like Pokemon and Digimon.  What ever happened to my personal favorite, the Easy Bake oven?  Does anyone even enjoy these basic toys anymore or have we all moved on to the era of cell phone games, PSPs, and other handheld systems?  Where have the MadLibs gone or the fifty-five colors of Play Doh?  I remeber the Lite Bright and the build-it yourself K-nex roller coasters.  What happened to the simple board games like Monopoly and Clue or jigsaw puzzles?  All that is left is multiple crash and destroy racing games or world at war soldier games.  In this new era of video games and online play, are we missing the human element or the interaction and imagination that makes those “old-time” games so much fun?

Hey guys, you aren’t clever or witty.

Most people who posted their sarcastic, anti-green sentiments yesterday (check the ‘hey guys’ link) are probably just bitter people who hate their jobs and need someone to take their frustrations out on since they aren’t big or fearless enough to do it in real life. So, we have….the internet. Hooray for anonymousness!

You people will complain about anything and blame the ‘liberal’ media or ’socialism’ or any buzzword you feel fits the bill. And your negativity only begets more negativity. Stop bringing us all down.

So, go ahead, comment on this… you SUCKAS.

PeAcE,
DeRoin.

Are my thoughts on pop culture way out in left field, or right on par? Weigh in on these hot topics and tell me how cool I am when it comes to being mainstream. Today, I’m talkin’ music, movies, television, and technology… 

**T-Pain sucks musically and lyrically, but is a smart guy. He knew the autotune would play out fast, so he flooded the market with the most material in the shortest amount of time to capitalize while the commodity was still hot. It’s dead now…but he’s probably rich. 

**This season will probably be the last for “Dancing With the Stars“. The only reason I know it’s still on the air: my Mom watches it and I continue to make fun of her for doing it. Plus, I’ve heard the ‘star’ power is significantly down hill. America’s love affair with dancing is waning. 

**Speaking of which, singing talent shows have been falling down, too. ‘American Idol’ is apparently still chugging, though. Is this year the end of the line for this former TV juggernaut as well? [Bonus- Did you know: I’ve never seen a single episode of this show?] 

**Another show I’ve never luckily watched is ‘Spongebob Square Pants’. I hear it’s all the rage with the youngsters. But I’ve also heard it’s full of jokes with double meanings and all sorts of creepy innuendos. Is it this generation’s version of ‘Ren & Stimpy’? I recently caught an episode of ‘Ren & Stimpy’ at 2:30 AM. Wow, it sucked…how did we enjoy this weird fest so much as kids? 

**Is it just me or has R&B music’s well almost completely dry? I mean every song is about the same handful of topics in the same song structure. The only artists putting out stuff worthwhile recently have been Solange Knowles, Jill Scott, musiq soulchild, and Raphael Saadiq. We need another album from San Fran guitar player and singer Martin Luther- ASAP! 

**A big “thanks” to Clear Channel for killing the personality of the radio deejay. The one of rare time a deejay gets to be him/herself: reading the weather. Otherwise, they’re just forced to press play on the exact same playlists that automatically play and announce what sponsor is sponsoring the next segment. Viva college radio! …and pirate radio (as long as the pirates aren’t Somalian, I guess). 

**Someone get KTIV weekend sports anchor Mike Orlando an audition for ESPN ‘Sportscenter’ already. He’s been trying hard to capture that elusive Chris Berman mojo. 

**Why does it seem all recent slapstick comedies have been slapped with an R-rating? (And why do they all feature the same group of 5 dudes?) Does every film need to try to up the ante and out-gross or out-shock its competition? 

**Remember how many great sitcoms there were in the 1980’s and 1990’s? You couldn’t count them all on your hands and toes. Now old timey baseball pitcher Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown (now there’s a current pop culture reference if I’ve ever seen one) could count them on one hand. But a deserving shout does go out to ‘How I Met Your Mother’ for being awesome. 

**’The Simpsons’ completely ran out of ideas and any fresh material like three years ago. In sad news, ‘Family Guy’ seems to be heading that way, too. 

**The words “swag” and “swagger” are as overblown and no longer cool as when people kept doing ‘Chappelle’s Show’ Rick James jokes way past their expiration date. Cue a new buzzword. 

**Twitter = diet Facebook lite with zero calories. 

**Does it bug anyone that the main character from ‘The Matrix’ movies is named Thomas (Neo) Anderson…just like the glance over the shoulder in a white t-shirt guy who created Myspace? Me neither…but could Myspace be the matrix? Probably not. 

Well, that’s all the time we have this week folks. Be sure to tune in next week: same channel, same place for Off-Base Opinions!

PeAcE, 
DeRoin.

You think these things don’t mix?? Try again and check the flyer.

There will be cappuccinos, poetry, pastries, turntables, saxophones, lattes, and lyricists for the whole family!
So join the musical stylings of Lazer Rocket Arm and The Gateway Drug on Saturday night, won’t you?

Berets and khakis not required.

For more information, hit me up at chrisderoin@gmail.com.

PeAcE,
DeRoin.

…that’s a good thing in this case.

Despite finishing ten strokes off the lead and tied for 20^th place at Augusta this past weekend, Great Britain’s Ian Poulter still brought home a cool $71,400. That’s a lot of money he can use on new threads. And everyone already knows Poluter is the most dapper man on the PGA Tour from runway to fairway. He has an uncanny knack for fashion. So, here is the proof in my tribute to golf’s most stylin’:

((Click the links to see the pics))

 -Perfect for those golfing trips to Hawaii.

-Representing the queen on the links.

-Always the gold standard on the course.

-Real men wear pink…even purple.

-And finally, knickers rule!

…But wait, there’s more! Ian even started his own clothing design label back in 2007. Sure, Tiger’s got video games, but what could beat an Ian Poluter original?

PeAcE,
DeRoin.

So you didn’t win your March Madness Final Four office pool, huh?? Don’t fret too long though, chap.
Because with the NCAA Basketball Tournaments over…we can all pay attention to another sport now.
So if the Major League Baseball* season getting under way isn’t your thing or you think the PGA Tour’s Masters Tourney** is boring, it’s time for HOCKEY!

–The NCAA Hockey ‘Frozen Four’ Finals are on Saturday night as Miami University (no- not Florida Hurricane version, these Red Hawks are from Ohio) takes on Boston University.
–The NHL regular season ends on Sunday with playoffs to follow.
–And finally…the USHL playoffs got under way last night…but the Sioux City Musketeers didn’t the field. (No reason us Siouxlanders can’t cheer for the Fargo Force though as they tangle with the much hated Omaha Lancers.)

So, let former NHL tough guy and current Florida Panthers (they aren’t going to make the playoffs either) play-by-play man Randy Moller get you pumped for the postseason with his crazy goal calls.

What’s that? You don’t like hockey?!?
How about movie quotes, commercial slogans, and pop culture references?!?
Either way, these youtube videos are must view.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3b_7S-sGBo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS8z0QZzazw

PeAcE,
…who else but DeRoin.

P.S.-
*= I’ll break down some MLB predictions and tell you who’s going to win the pennant this year in a soon coming blog. Hint- not the Yankees.

P.S.S.-
**= Also stay tuned for my tribute to golf’s snappiest and snazziest dresser. Hint- not this guy.