Hicks is Great - What the Shit is this Dancing Crap?

Although Taylor Hicks did not perform tonight, I still think that he is the best. Maybe he has ticks, maybe he is trying to be like that Wayans guy being like that Ray Charles guy...or maybe they all took the lead from him...hmm... I think that I will continue to watch AI until he is removed or wins.

I was really sad when Stevie was kicked off. Although I think she did not have the best of performances, I think that she was far better than some of the others. Plus, I think that she has a heck of a lot more potential than some of the other girls - like Brenna or Buckey, wait, I guess he is a guy.


Then after AI, there was some crazy show on with people dancing. I remember seeing this at some point, but thought for sure that I had found my way onto one of those 4 Spanish channels that I get for free. Little did I know, Jerry Rice was on this show. You must be kidding! I thought that he was still on the Suckos...but again I was wrong. I actually liked that one woman with too much cow fat in her lips - I guess her lips must have exploded. But good to know that an over the hill athlete can still find something to do with his life - how far he has come!

When is it Okay to Give Up?

For quite a few years I have been involved in a program that has given me a lot of good times and great friends. I have often wondered to what extent I would have met these people had I not joined this organization. However, the question remains that at what point do you pack up and walk away?

For sometime there have been things that I am not happy with, directions that should not be taken, disorganized that can only lead to chaos, but I have always thought that I was somehow in control. I think it is a slap into reality that first time that something gets screwed up and you were not even in the loop. How can you really be in an organization at a leadership level when there is the potential for screw up and although your ass is on the line you really have no control?

For the many friends, I am in debt. For the many headaches, I have acid reflux. But for the many potential future problems that I can no longer control - no thanks. The question still stands...At what point do you feel that you have given back to a program enough that you can walk away?

Record Snowfall and God, I feel like *hit

What a crazy last few weeks. We had warmth, cold, and even snow. 26.9 Inches! Now that is a lot of snow!

To top it all off, I have been sick. Was running a 102 fever for a few days last week. The problem with working in a small firm that is that when you are not there, the work does not get done. With all of the deadlines and more work coming in, it can get overwhelming. Needless to say I went to work a few of the days that I should not have and was yelled at by the boss-man...why? Because he didn't want to get sick of course.

US PORTS TO COME UNDER CONTROL OF TERRORIST NATION
I am not sure to what extent this is getting coverage in the news where you are, but this is pretty big news here - and should be pretty big news all over the place. CNN presents an interesting "slant" to the topic.

I am not too sure about this issue. There must be something else going on here. Why would the Bush administration allow such a thing to occur? Surely they are worried about terrorism as much as the rest of us...surely they are worried about being reelecte....wait, they probably just dont give a damn at this point!

My Cousin and The Grammys

Audio Adrenaline Wins Another Grammy

I was just reminded that my cousin, Jay Joyce in Nashville, TN, was nominated last night for a Grammy. He produced the album Until My Heart Caves In, by Audio Adrenaline. It won last night! Pretty cool. It is funny because I grew up with Jay. He is older than I am, but I always remember him as being the one at the reunions who would bring his guitar. My uncle would find a piano, Jay would play the guitar and the rest would sing and do whatever - granted, I think they were all doing a lot of drugs at that time...who would have known. Nevertheless, congrats to Audio Adrenaline and Jay Joyce!

Interestingly enough, although they have been up for Grammys in the past, critics say that alot of there most recent success is because of Jay: "Much of that sonic leap towards elevated intensity stems from a pairing with acclaimed producer/guitarist Jay Joyce (The Wallflowers, Iggy Pop, Patty Griffin, Macy Gray). His expansive mainstream experiences, coupled with a cutting edge approach behind the boards, stretched the foursome."

"He was really the first producer who really 'got' what it was that we wanted to do and encouraged us to bring out our passions to the greatest extent possible," McGinniss confirms. "We had no idea what to expect at first, but God really directed our relationship with him and the end result brought all of our performances up to the next level. Jay is a rocker and a rockstar who simply wanted to capture the here and now and vibe of a certain moment, rather than making It perfect or polished." (http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/audioadrenaline.html).

More information on my Cousin: http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/appears/0,,450851,00.html

Strangely enough he also was credited for the Faith Hill song: Fireflys. I heard from my mom that he co-wrote it with Faith and my brother says he is on one of her concert CDs. He has came out on the stage and helped sing...pretty cool.

40 Year Old Virgin and Passports

The 40-Year Old Virgin

I am a member of Blockbuster.com. I therefore put movies in my "queue" and wait for them to be delivered one 3 at a time. It usually takes 2 days, so when I move a movie around in my queue it is so I can get it sooner.

Last week my brother, Jason, told me that the 40 year olf virgin was a great and funny movie. Jason and I have similar tastes, so I decided to move the movie up on my list. I received the movie a few days ago but did not watch it right away.

Yesterday was an okay day at work, but I was looking for something funny to watch. Remembering that I had this movie, I popped it into the dvd player and started watching. It started off okay, but then the introductory credits ended. The movie was filled with pretty much nothing. I laughed 2 times during the entire 2 hours of "entertainment." I find it hard to believe that I would dislike this movie so much, then it occurred to me that I have seen Steve in "The Office" and I absolutely hate his character. In this movie he plays a humble man, whereas in The Office he plays an ass. I could not separate myself from his newer character. However, with that being said, I still find myself laughing more at Gilmore Girls than during the 40 Year Old Virgin

Passports = Federal Government Welfare

Went to the passport office today to get my passport. I found that I could go to the Post Office and get the passport just as easily. So I went there yesterday, after ordering a copy of my birth certificate from Willoughby online, and stood in line. I read in really small letters that they will only accept checks or money orders. I would have gotten a money order, but I had not been paid yet and there was no money to put in such an order. Then under that it says that they will accept credit cards for a $30 processing fee...thats weird! I decided to forget it, went home and got some checks, got paid and did it all over again today.

To pay nearly $100 for a parchment of paper with a picture that I provided (and paid for) just to go to another country seems a little crazy! Come on. I am going to the UK. If anything, they should pay ME to go to the UK, not the other way around. After paying $150 for a flight and another $200 in taxes and other fees just to fly, one would think that the passport comes free. On top of it all I had to give my birth certificate and hope that it is mailed back to me with my passport in 6 weeks. How fun!

And THAT'S Why I Don't Own An SUV!

While I slept last night...there was crime. Not just ordinary crime, but the type of crime that makes your back sweat and your brow frown. It was the type of crime that you are afraid to tell your mother about; and it happened 2 blocks from my home!

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=3873170

Pictures of the aftermath...the morning after, while I walk to the subway station only a block away.
















Ahh...come on...the guy probably deserved it! At least the traffic stopped and I could cross the street this morning without having to wait for the light!

Just one more use for Dogs

For all those dog lovers out there, let me start by saying that I LOVE DOGS...but this story is messed up!

N.Y. - Bound Puppies Used As Drug Couriers - http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1571517

Kind of makes you wonder what other things Puppies can be used for. Maybe Bush can use them to "curb our reliance on oil." Maybe the indians can get one to play right field in place of Coco Crisp since we traded him away.

Who knows...maybe someday in the future there will be a dog in the whitehouse - wait there already is.

Catching Up

I am very busy...but I should NEVER be too busy to update my blog! I mean, MJ has even updated her blog more recently than I have - what a shame I have become. All in all it has been a great month! I have been doing a lot more litigation work. I settled my first case and the bossman even came into my office last week and told me that he would like me to pick a jury at the end of the month February). It is amazing that I am getting this opportunity having only been practicing 8 months! And finally, I booked my flight to Manchester England last night! woo hoo! First time there and hopefully I can make it to Galway, Ireland with Hil to see the old family farm where my great great grandfather was born!

Here are some pictures of things I have seen around town:

I was on the subway the other day and saw this guy on the train. He strangely resembled John Beeton, so I took his picture. He did not seem to mind. In fact, I would say that he looks rather comfortable. And what about the word above his head??? "ERA" hmmm....is it a sign?

You may not be able to tell from the picture, but this is one of those times that I came into Grand Central Terminal and there were entertainers. This one involved a guitar player, drummer, and guy who was doing flips. This past weekend I was near Union Station and saw the famous midget Michael Jackson. It was wonderful, however, I did not have my phone on me. I have seen him around town and hope to make him a feature of my blog soon.

This next one reminded me of Ray. Has anyone actually seen him at work? We all hear him say that he has to go...but anyone actually see him there?








Finally this last one, strangely enough, reminded me of Kristen so I took the picture. She looks a little angry, but I dont think she minded the picture.

Lots o Stuff To Discuss

Happy belated New Year to all!

I posted pictures, all of them, on my yahoo account and they can be reached from here:
http://photos.yahoo.com/jamisonbacher

All of them, including those that did not come out very well, are posted. Enjoy!

Christmas is Over, Back to Work Everyone!

Christmas is over, Audient is blogging once again, and I am sitting behind my desk waiting for the next "big event."

Christmas saw the return of Union Workers to their jobs, it saw me getting a picture taken with Bill and his Wife Gates and receiving some yummy coffee!

Thank you to all of you who made my Christmas memorable...most notably, Amy - because I am really trying to stay on her good side through the new year.

Also, I pledge to improve my blogging skills throughout the new year, as I received (or bought is a better term) a new IMac G5...I have gone to the white side. Once I get the hang of this, I should be able to create some fun stuff - but then again maybe I will get fired and not be able to pay for electricity and thus be without a computer.

The War May Be Over

Well, it looks like the threat of throwing the Union Leader, freezing all of the MTA Union workers bank accounts, and threatening to throw the workers themselves in jail has just about worked.

The latest reports have it that the negotiations will continue while the Union workers return to work and at last the city can return to normal. It will be interesting to see what happens, but I hope that this does not happen again as long as I live in the city.

I am not a woman

According to Kate Ann Brennan's blog, thanks, I am not a woman but in fact a staff toting man with white hair who wears a dress.

Another Day Another $4

The City of New York has created contingency plans to help "strap hangers" adjust to life in the city without subways and busses. That contingency plan includes gouging the commuters, who have no choice but to pay to get to work - just to make enough money to pay to get home. It is a ridiculous cycle. However, luckily my ride is not as horrid. It is a pain, but I can imagine having it worse.

Luckily my secretary, Mary - the one who hosted my mother and I on Thanksgiving, agreed to allow me to stay at her home out in Queens. She has to commute just like me, but she has a car. So last night we took the LIRR (Long Island Railroad - $4 each way compared to $2 each way on the subway) for a 25 minute ride out to her neighborhood. Keep in mind that the train station is 15 minutes from her home, compared to a 2 minute walk from the subway. This still sounds like a good idea, but then you realize that there are 50,000 people all trying to take the same trains that you are. Those of you who know about NYers, you know that NYers do not like to wait - they like to PUSH! So imagine being in the center when all the people move - you are going wherever they go.

However, like I said at the outset, I could have it worse. Had Mary not agreed to host me for the foreseeable future, I would have had to walk 40 blocks to the 59 Street Bridge (at 6:00am), then walk across the bridge to Manhattan and then another 24 blocks to work. It would not have been fun.

The TWU Union is BRILLIANT!

I think that it is a brilliant idea to shut down the subway. I think that it is a brilliant idea to prevent people from being able to get to work. I think that it is brilliant to take advantage of the system and break the law.

The picture on the right is of my street (Madison Ave) looking towards the Bronx. This picture was taken at the intersection of 38th and Madison. Normally there is traffic up and down with no place to go. However, on this day (at 12:00pm nonetheless) there is nothing but a postal car, people walking in the road, and rollerblading. Maybe this strike thing isn't all that bad at all! I was able to get a lot more work done today because there was no noise.



This is a view down Madison Ave towards Manhattan. As you can see, the police are at every intersection preventing people from driving down Madison Ave. What a great idea!

Last I heard, the Union has offered 3, 4, 31/2 percent raises (annually) for each of the next 3 years. In addition, they are asking that new hires pay 6% of their salary to the pension plan (2% is required right now). In addition, the MTA has agreed to give MLK day as a paid holiday and also to keep retirement at 55 years of age.
For current MTA workers, this will result in NO CHANGE! Oh yeah, in addition, the Union wants less numbers of disciplinary proceedings brought against its members. It will only effect new hires. However, the Union NOW wants 4, 4, 4 raises, the retirement age lowered to 50 and no more money added to the pensions. WTF!

I must say that I would love the idea of retiring at 55 or 50! I would work 5 days a week, 40 hours a week, make 40k with full benefits and never having to worry about being fired in return for a pension...then I would go to law school and start my 2nd career.

I know I know that I am not pro-union, but come on! This is not fair bargaining. You can say what you want about Unions and about Management. The reality of the situation here is that the Union is breaking the law (The Taylor Law) and hurting those people who are struggling the most to make it here - those of us who commute from one of the boroughs.

My Career: A Woman?

Here is what Christie's Career Test told me:

Your Career Type: Social

You are helpful, friendly, and trustworthy. Your talents lie in teaching, nursing, giving information, and solving social problems. You would make an excellent: Counselor - Dental Hygienist - Librarian Nurse - Parole Officer - Personal Trainer Physical Therapist - Social Worker - Teacher The worst career options for your are realistic careers, like truck driver or farmer.

What's Your Ideal Career?

Jason's Johnson and Kristen's Boobs

I had gym with Jason;

I like Kristen's boobs; and

Rome was big.

So Little Time

Kristen, Dave and Hilary...I am sorry that it has taken so long to update this.

I never thought that anyone actually read this, until Dave pointed it out to me.

So many things have happened, I just figured that I would catch up with everyone around Christmas and New Years. I booked my flight a few weeks back and I will be around Cleveland for Christmas, flying back to New York on Monday and then flying back to Cleveland Friday before New Years. With the low cost of flights, I was able to do pretty well on the price and figured what the heck.

Since last I posted, all sorts of things have gone on. I got sick in the subway, saw a woman being carried off of the subway because she was THAT drunk, and saw a woman's purse get stuck in the subway door and taken down the tunnel. There are also other things that are going on that may require me to leave my "lap of luxery," but I would rather not jinx it.

Also since I last posted, I had the honor of meeting Jason's woman (Bree) and I have subsequently tried to figure out how he could get such a great woman to fall for him - then I remembered what he was like in High School and it all made sense (he has a big penis).

Must go back to work now because the boss is trying to figure out why I am typing so much - since I am supposed to be dictating.

Harry Potter

Well, I stopped across the street last night (at the movie theater) and picked up my ticket for Harry Potter tonight. Although it is an 11:59pm movie and I will be exhausted in court tomorrow, I am definitely looking forward to seeing the movie. The only downfall is that I will not be able to see it with my near and dear friend Kristen. She and I got to see the last release together at the same time when I was loving in Ohio. Now that I am in NYC, there are no Ohioans here to join me.

It will be interesting to see how all of the Harry Potter audience has grown up. I commented on this with Kristen last time that all of the kids who started watching the series many years ago are now in High School and beyond. It is amazing to see how a phenomenon has overtaken an entire generation.

Maybe I can take some pictures in the theater and send them to Kristen and it will just be like we are there together.

I only have to get through a 3 party deposition today, and then not get yelled at by the bossman.

Grandmothers and Guns

I think every grandmother should come included with a gun. What a story. This grandmother shot an intruder: http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4097173

It was in Texas, what do you expect?

Great People on the Subway Part II

The following people were seen within the last week on the subway - what are their stories?

1. 2 Asian people speaking some Asian language both looking at a map and begin to make out. At one of the stops, without ssaying anything the guys gets off of the subway and the door closes. What's their story?

2. An african american man was standing in the corner preaching to a small group of individuals. A white man gets on the train. He is dressed in pretty casual clothes. He walks up to the african american man, shakes his hand, hits his "rock" and walks away. The african american man continues to preach and the white man goes into another train. What's his story?

3. Everyday on the Path Train from Jersey to NYC the same preacher man preaches the same sermon on the same train at the same time. What's his story?

Here is a picture of me with a painting made of poop in the background - SWEET