The Louie Giglio Vlog

Don't Hate

Twittergrader.com for Tyler, TX.
Booyah, @rstrader.
Booyah.

Okay, tweets...head over there and see how you score!

Surprising News for 2009

New York, New York (AP) - Startling news today from U2. Paul McGuinness, long-time manager and business front for the band, announced earlier today that one of the world's biggest bands has decided to make some personnel changes.

This comes as a shock to most, as the band is set to embark on a massive media blitz to promote their new album, No Line On The Horizon, which is tentatively set for a February 2009 release.

"I don't think people are surprised there's been a change," McGuinness said in an interview. "I think they're just shocked at which member is leaving."

McGuinness is speaking of the departure of U2's guitarist and de-facto musical director, "The Edge."

The manager is quick to answer fans who are upset by the change.
"Edge is still very much a part of the band. It's just time. Enough with the delay, already. You know?"

But the band is moving on. The story leaked over the weekend on a couple of U2-related fan blogs, drawing varied responses from fans all over the world. Not only has the band asked The Edge to step down, they've filled his spot with an unknown guitar player from the U.S.

"The band is happy with Todd. They think he'll be a great fit."

McGuinness is speaking of Todd Wright, the 32-year old Texan now slated to fill the electric guitar spot. Wright is a long-time fan of the band and can already play 2 or 3 of their songs on acoustic guitar.

"I hope the guys know that I'm more of an acoustic guy," Wright shared in an interview this morning. "I'm not real strong on the electric guitar, but I'm on a diet and I've purchased 25 beanie caps. Somebody from the wardrobe department is going to sew sequins on my jeans and buy some skinny, non sequitur t-shirts for me. I mean, the music is mostly programmed anyway."

U2 frontman, Bono, could not be reached for comment. McGuinness admitted the transition would be a difficult one, but stated that every band has to walk through difficult times like these to grow as people and musicians.

Wright is optimistic. "I can't wait to hear all those songs live." When reminded that he would have to actually play the songs live, the young guitar player ended the interview and cried in the men's room for half-an-hour.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Well, the blessed holiday is now upon us. And in celebration of that, I figured I'd go back through my archives and post some of my old Christmas pictures. Enjoy!

www.phohohotobooth.com...

Just Vote Your Conscience

Okay, everybody...

Looks like beliefnet.com is hosting their Most Inspiring Person of 2008.

I mean, sure, there are some good nominees, but I never get nominated for anything, you know?

So, why not nominate me? I mean, I'm as inspiring as all those other people.

You can also leave a comment as to how I've inspired you.

Voting ends Thursday.

I mean, come on...this guy would inspire anybody, right?
















If you don't vote for me, then the terrorists have already won.

It's 11:50pm.
I need to go to bed.
I have things to do tomorrow.
And yet, I sit here thinking....
Should I watch "The Bank Job"?
This is one of many things wrong with me.

New survey posted at the blog for all you "Readers." Click over and vote!

No...

I received this email a few days ago from my "friend," Justin Romack. Please find his letter below. My response is printed directly underneath this ridiculous request from Justin.

Mr. Wright,

This is a formal request to add, Mr. Doug Hedstrom, to your links list on the "Todd Blog" as soon as physically possible. Below you will find a list of people supporting and requesting the above mentioned request.

We request that you either, a) take action and add Mr. Hedstrom to your links list and no further actions will be taken, or b) justinromack.com will remove the link to the Todd Blog and will relinquish its' involvement in the "My Friday Movement".

Your adherence to this request is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Justin Romack, Angela Romack, Philip Melton, Maegan Melton, Bonquisha Jones,
Rashide Pumpernickle, Cletus Wayans, Laura Toadburger, Nick Bearnstein,
Jim Jimmy Jimmers, Doug Bedstrom, David Funnels, Bobert Monn, Boss King,
Tony LaRue, John Mackleroy, Peter Smith, Tommy "the Nose" Nostrils,
William Shakespeare, Todd Wright, Nancy Puttman, Putt Puttman ,Kara Van,
Kiki Koko, Amanda Hugandkiss, Mark Van Buran, Kyle Twittersalot, Paulo Marshall
Mary Ninjitsu, Brad Handerson, Chris Faraway, Stephen Colbert
Eric Cartman, Beavis, AND, Butthead, Glenn Quagmire,
the band formely known as Queen,
Harry Potter... and many more that I am too lazy to type out.
____________________________

Let's start off with Doug Hedstrom's horrible choice or representation. Justin Romack? Really? Isn't he still in college? Did Doug really think that Justin was gonna' get something done with his silly threats? Removed from Romack's blogroll? Not that scary, Justin. I'm Todd Wright and I don't need anybody's blogroll. I am your Blog Father, young man. I was the first, the pioneer, the one to whom East Texas bloggers look to for guidance. I inspire dreams...dreams that some lone blogger one day will reach the pinnacle of success as I have. And your "My Friday" post included a reference to Weird Al. Ain't gonna' miss that, I'll tell you right now.

Secondly, Doug Hedstrom has blogged 4 times in 5 months...which is the total length of his blog's existence. A five-month old blog? Four posts? Is that really the quality level that deserves a hallowed place on my site?

And third...I think you made some of those names up.
___________________

Let the record show that Doug Hedstrom has yet to ask me (in any form or fashion) to be linked. Had he requested a place, he most assuredly would have been granted a spot. But now that he's run to a buddy to the dirty work, he will not be allowed on here. Ever.

Sorry, Doug. But mistakes have consequences.

This question is for YOU.

Yes, you. No one else. Just you.

It matters.

It's important.

It may be hard to hear, but it's something authentic from my heart, and I think I need to share it.

SHOULDN'T YOU BE BLOGGING ABOUT ME MORE?

I'll take any kind of blog-love. (Well, not any kind. A boy has his standards, after all.)

It can be something general like...

"Todd Wright is an inspiration to all bloggers everywhere."

Or something epic like...

"I'm going to name my children Todd Wright. Every one of them. Because I'll be that much closer to the amazing wonder that is that man."

Or something sincere like...

"I wish Todd and I were closer. I feel like he really knows me, you know?"

Oh, and be sure to link me. That would just be lame for you to pretend to love on me and then not send people over to my little island on the blogosphere, wouldn't it?

And don't just throw me a sentence or two - let's really praise me on this one, okay? Let's make it count. Get busy living or get busy dying, right?

Right?

Can't wait to read your post!

A tiny jpeg that makes me happy...

Finally, it happened.
Somebody bought some of my stuff from iTunes!
I had two single downloads (I Am Glad and Part Of Your Story) and one full-lenght download of the whole record!

Sure, I only made 17 cents, but I couldn't be more excited!

Have you bought your copy, yet? I got lots of 'em left.

She Ain't My Bride...

We've all got them.

"Pet peeves."

Things that drive us crazy for no good reason.
And we know this - we know that we should be better than these petty frustrations. We know that it's silly to let them bother us.

I tell you this because I know what I'm about to say is ridiculous. It's silly. It doesn't matter. It's not hurtful or consequential or meaningful in any way. It shouldn't matter.

But it does.

In fact, it drives me crazy.

You see that woman in the picture?

That's my wife, Kristen. Maybe you've met her. She's great. She's funny. She's smart. She's a good kisser, a best friend, a great mother to our kids and really into tattoos for some reason. (I'm not sure why...)

But you know what she's NOT?

My "bride."

I can't stand it when people call her my "bride." I don't know why, but it drives me crazy. I want to yell and scream and throw a phonebook across the room while shouting...

"She's my wife! My wife! My wife, I say, my wife!"

I don't know if I'm just connecting that word to an actual wedding or I feel like it doesn't really fit what Kristen and I have or if it just seems like people are trying to be cute when they say it...I just know I don't like it.

Of course, I'm sure that in ancient Hebrew or something, "bride" translates to something like LIFE-LONG-PARTNER-WHOM-GOD-HAS-PRE-ORDAINED and I'm flying in the face of God Almighty to reject this title for her. And I'm sure that if such a scriptural and holy origin does exist, one of you will definitely point it out. (I'm looking at you Johnny.)

But think about it...Do people ask Kristen, "Hey, how's your groom doing?" or "Is that your groom on the phone?"

No, they don't.

Because that would be stupid.

Todd Eats Cereal...

on Karate Kid...

I think I may have discovered something horribly wrong in the final fight sequence of Karate Kid. Okay...not horribly wrong. But definitely inconsistent.

In the film, as Daniel is headed to the mat, Ali is quoting Daniel the rules. Here's what she says:

"Everything above your waist is a point. The head, the sternum, kidneys, the ribs. Got it?"

Now, let's look at the video.




Okay, if we are to believe Ali's recitation of the rules, here's how that fight played out.

First point:
Daniel hits Johnny with a body shot (sternum?) Daniel - 1, Johnny - 0.
Next point:
Daniel trips Johnny and whacks him on the back of the neck (head?) Daniel - 2, Johnny - 0.
Next point:
Johnny sweeps the leg and kicks him in the sternum. Daniel - 2, Johnny - 1.
Next point:
Johnny kicks Daniel in his side, Ref says "one point Lawrence, 2-2." Daniel - 2, Johnny - 2.

Next:
Johnny punches Daniel in the head - forehead actually, but the Ref says "That's a foul!" Why is this?

Shouldn't that be Johnny's third point? Why the foul? Karate folks out there? What just happened?

If we give Daniel a point for chopping a dude on the back of the neck, why is the forehead punch a foul?

Johnny should have won it right there, in my opinion. I'm sorry if that offends your sensibilities.

Please note that are two other possibilities to consider:
A. I am unaware of the finer aspects of scoring within whatever Karate Assocation was sponsoring the All Valley Tournament

or
B. I am way too invested in this film and possibly mentally disturbed.