RobMoore.org

Av's Schedule: Gadget and Calendar Update

2007-07-25T12:23:00.000-06:00

I've updated both the Google Calendar and Homepage Gadget to include the 2007-2008 regular season schedule. The calendar also includes preseason games, but not as web events.

Just like last year, once the season begins all games will be updated with final scores and links to the official game summary on ColoradoAvalanche.com. In some cases, when I'm alert, paying attention and have reliable wifi access, scores may even be updated live throughout the game.

Unlike last year, I'm really hoping to use these tools through at least SOME of the post season. Help me out here, boys...Go Av's!

Av's announce 2007-08 Schedule

2007-07-12T15:28:00.000-06:00

The 2007-2008 schedule has been announced, including 6 preseason games beginning September 19 against Los Angeles! I'll have the Google Gadget and calendar updated by the weekend. More to follow.

Vacation Photos

2007-07-12T11:52:00.000-06:00

Our trip to California is long behind us and I still haven't shared the photos yet. That's just me being lazy, really.

It was a great trip, one of those life-long-memories sort of trips, and yet I still don't know how to begin to describe it here without writing a novella. Nobody wants that. So browse the pictures and if anyone wants to hear more, just find me and I'll be happy to tell you all about it!

Call it what it is...we're saying goodbye

2007-05-02T07:15:00.000-06:00

Without any of the fanfare that preceded it's debut, Studio 60 will return May 24th to burn off the remaining episodes and give fans a chance to say goodbye. Closure isn't guaranteed and satisfaction isn't even a realistic hope. The show is returning to a timeslot that doesn't belong to any show that doesn't have the initials "ER," well after the end of May sweeps, two weeks after the fall schedule will be announced.

No one is expecting a second season, lead actors are popping up in other projects, and both Sorkin and the network have been silent - but not in that "I have a secret!" sort of way. It's all very "I just have nothing to say."

So of course I'll watch it. I'll tune in and hold it's hand and comfort it through it's final throes as it slips into oblivion. I'll enjoy every last moment offered. I'll buy the inevitable DVD. I'll read the blogs and message boards until they fizzle out down the road. And I'll miss it. It was great television and a rare treat. I guess I'll just have to switch my attention to my other favorite show to debut this past season, "Knights of Prosperity."

It's what?! Son of a ...

What's with the new look?

2007-04-24T07:03:00.000-06:00

The short answer is I was ready for a change. Spring was in the air and blah blah blah...

The real truth behind what motivated me to revamp the site is that I was embarrassed. My code was sloppy, and much of the previous look was borrowed from a template I found online. I had a lot of css hacks throughout the old look, and cringed at the thought of another intelligent designer checking out my source code.

This new look is all me, completely my design and code. And for the most part, is finally fully standards compliant. Content in the html, design in the stylesheets. The way it's supposed to be. The way I design at work and implore to anyone who listens. The way I always say it should be done, but was too lazy to implement here. Until now.

Feel free to check it out, kick the tires, look behind the curtain all you like, then let me know what you think.

Multimedia message

2007-03-27T19:11:00.001-06:00

Colorado Avalanche Google Gadget

2007-03-24T10:20:00.000-06:00

I've converted my Colorado Avalanche web event calendar into a Google Homepage Gadget! The same content that is available as an icon in your Google Calendar can now be viewed on your Google Customized homepage or your own webpage. A Google Desktop Gadget is coming soon.

Studio 60 terminal, but not dead...Yet.

2007-03-13T09:09:00.000-06:00

I'm no Hollywood insider or entertainment industry reporter, but you can't keep me out of Google Reader, and five of my two dozen blog subscriptions are either blogs or Google search alerts scanning for news of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. NBC has really kept fans of the show hanging on this one. Is it cancelled? Is it coming back? What about unaired episodes? Some of us have paid for a full season subscription through iTunes. ONE of us (guilty!) paid for that full season just days before "4a.m. Miracle" (the final broadcast episode to date) aired. Ouch.

For those who, like me, are hanging in there for our own 4a.m. Miracle, here's what Google Reader delivered to me today:

“Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”: The future of Aaron Sorkin’s high-profile series has been unclear since it was pulled from NBC’s lineup a week early for the premiere of the Paul Haggis crime drama, “The Black Donnellys.” According to a spokesperson for Warner Brothers, which produces “Studio 60,” the 18th episode is currently being filmed and 22 episodes will be shot. NBC hasn’t said if or when the final six original episodes will air. Not a good sign.

The series’ low February ratings, when Sorkin highlighted the romantic comedy elements, appear to have made the chances of it getting a second season unlikely. Before those episodes aired, Sorkin told critics in California that the show was getting the kind of upscale viewers that NBC covets and that it also was among the most TIVOed shows on television. However, it is very expensive to produce and needed better overall ratings to stay on the schedule.

Its recent replacement, “The Black Donnellys,” hasn’t been a ratings success nationally, but ratings in Buffalo for the first two episodes were about 40 percent higher than what “Studio 60” was getting.
Viewers irritated by a different March Madness (Alan Pergament)
Buffalo News: Entertainment. 03/13/2007

Have mercy on the faithful, NBC. This feels like a third date that went very well, now you won't return my calls. It was too soon to call it a commitment, but I at least deserve a little closure. Announce something. Deliver the unaired episodes, even if only online. Better yet, if you have lost faith in S60 as a prime-time network contender, hand it off to Bravo or USA. Read the boards...your own boards....bring it back and you've got a lock on a larger audience than Psych can deliver.

Website and calendar are back

2007-03-12T21:50:00.000-06:00

After a brief glitch (brief being part of Sunday night and most of Monday...glitch meaning nothing was accessible from the Internet...that's hard on a website!) the site, including the Avalanche Schedule web events on Google Calendar, are back online. Sorry about that.

Colorado Avalanche Social Network

2007-03-01T22:08:00.000-07:00

I've created a social network on the new Ning.com site called Colorado Avalanche Fans. The idea is a forum and meeting place for local fans - to not just talk about the team or the sport, but to also connect on, well, a social level and discuss places and ways to watch games and support the team on the ice and in the community.

Check it out. Join up. Contribute. Most importantly, give me some feedback on what it will take to make this successful and useful to fans.

Google Calendar Web Events for Colorado Avalanche

2007-02-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

After a lot of practice and some failed efforts, I've finally managed to convert the Colorado Avalanche season schedule from a standard calendar to web events. First of all, it saves a ton of real estate. The calendar is much less cluttered now. Second, it allows me to populate the events with dynamic data stored in a mysql database on my web server, making updates a snap. Also, it just looks cool to have the little Av's icon there instead of a big chunky block.

Yes, I know the season is almost over. Yes, I know the Av's have been nearly eliminated from post-season play, but imagine how nice this will be NEXT season!

Also, it goes without saying that this enhancement wouldn't have been possible without help. Early versions of web events for this calendar were published using Michael Bolin's Web Content Wizard. Thanks for the head start, Michael!

Subscribe here:

Studio 60 Update

2007-02-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

"NBC is saying the show will return later in the season, but it isn't saying when" according to an article on MediaBuyerPlanner.com. Numerous stories on the birth of Amanda Peet's baby, Frances Pen, also report that the network plans to return Studio 60 to the air "at some point" this season. Vague, yes. But certainly better than delivering a eulogy. On this day.

Oh, and congratulations, Amanda. :)

Save Studio 60, Save The World!

2007-02-23T18:32:00.000-07:00

The smartest hour on television just got bumped for another crime drama. Hooray for pop culture. Humor me and sign the petition, please.

Cruising The Lanes

2007-02-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

The charity event raised money for Hinote's Heroes among other organizations, and was hosted by Halfpint's favorite player, John-Michael Liles. Five minutes after walking through the door, before we even got to the bar to get a drink, who did we run into but Dreamboat JML himself. With girlfriend. Which was nice because it gave me something to look at while Halfpint gushed on JML and he cordially chatted and posed for pictures. What a genuinely nice guy. I think his cast came off the next day and he was playing the following week, but while he was still hobbled, he didn't complain at all. His biggest concern was how soon he'd be back on this ice, and making sure we got the picture we wanted. His girlfriend offered to take it for us so we could all be in it, but I wasn't going to ruin the shot for Nicole. She knows what I look like.

Through the course of the evening we met Wojtek Wolski, Jordan Leopold, Ian Laperriere (my favorite player, and not because he's dreamy), Tyler Arnason, Paul Stastny, Andrew Brunette and Peter Budaj. Many others were there, and we saw more than we talked with. Each one nicer and more generous that the one before. Hockey players - at least the professionals we met - are certainly a cut above any other professional athelete in terms of style and presence. It was great getting to see them off the ice and really appreciate them as people.

John-Michael Liles	Wojtek Wolski	Tyler Arnason
Andrew Brunette	Jordan Leopold	Ian Laperriere
Peter Budaj	Paul Stastny

On the Glass!

2007-01-09T21:18:00.000-07:00

Taken from my seat at the Red Wings game! (Happy Birthday, Halfpint!)

Meet Stella

2006-12-02T19:29:00.000-07:00

So...we bought a dog. And by we, I mean mostly Nicole, and possibly just to shut me up. Being the sane and level voice of reason that I am, I fell in love with this dog (really? a dog like the kind I'm allergic to?) and immediately joined the kids in bombarding Nicole with "CANWEKEEPIT?CANWEKEEPIT?CANWEKEEPIT?" until she caved and we left the pet store with Stella.

Stella is ADORABLE. And hasn't left Nicole's lap since we got home. Much. A little here and there, but really that's where Stella likes to nap, and Nicole is OK with that.

Yeah, they're both adorable. Here's proof.

Colorado Avalanche Schedule UpdatesI haven't updat...

2006-10-14T01:45:00.000-06:00

Colorado Avalanche Schedule Updates

I haven't updated the blog as often as I have updated the calendar, but for those who use it, I've got complete broadcast information for each game, as well as final scores and game summaries for each game played. Enjoy!

I'm working on making a "Web Content Event" version of it next (One of the newest Google Calendar features...it'll put the little Avs icon on the game days so all that text doesn't clutter up your calendar.) I'm still playing with the Google API and the formatting, but when it's ready for prime time, I'll post here to announce it.

This is what happens when a computer dork becomes a hockey nut. Dangerous, huh?

Denver Hockey Bars ... WTF, Mate?Denver has GREAT ...

2006-10-14T01:18:00.000-06:00

Denver Hockey Bars ... WTF, Mate?

Denver has GREAT hockey...ok, right now it appears to be good hockey, but I love it. It's great when the season's on and it's great rooting for the Avs and it's even better doing so in a crowd of rabid fans with a cold beer in my hand.

So when I don't have the time or cash to go to the Pepsi Center, and I don't want to drive all the way to Sobo's what's left?

A few bars here and there will have the game on, but PLEASE tell me we have more than one decent hockey bar in town. I'll admit I'm not a bar-hopping social animal, so it's possible that I'm just not aware of the other options.

Where do you take in your games? Where are the other fans? C'mon, people...there's more to professional sports than the Denver Broncos. WHERE ARE THE OTHER FANS?

Reply to this with YOUR hockey bar. Pitch it to me. Tell me where it is and what makes it great...even if it's only technically a hockey bar during actual games...that counts!

If they exist, I'll set up a seperate section with maps and directions and reviews...whatever it takes to promote them. I'm sure if I can't find them, there are others like me. Let's rally around our favorite watering holes and get the word out!

Go Avs! Get this video and more at MySpace...

2006-10-14T01:17:00.000-06:00

Go Avs!

Get this video and more at MySpace.com

Yeah...I'm a Colorado Avalanche fan...and this was a fun game (9/25/2006: Avs vs. Red Wings Preseason game at the Pepsi Center). Especially watching Brett McLean tie it up in the last thirty seconds before we kicked their ass in the shootout!

The best part was watching the game from a suite - about 30 feet from Marek Svatos, who was taking it easy in the preseason - because my best friend scored tickets at work!

New Google Talk client available for download! New...

2006-07-28T15:46:00.000-06:00

New Google Talk client available for download! New features: File transfer, voicemail and music status.

Ok, file transfer will be cool once at least one other person in my contact list downloads the new version. And I don't mind showing off my musical tastes to all who care (read: no one, sparky. It's a vanity feature.), but does anyone actually use the voice features of Google Talk enough to warrant voicemail?

I've had Google Talk since it was about three days old, and the only time anyone has ever tried to start a voice conversation with me, it turned out to be an accident because they weren't sure what the little green phone by my name was for. I don't think I've ever had a real conversation with this thing.

Until they follow skype and gizmo's lead and make it possible to call landlines (free or not) I don't see this as being a huge step forward. The best part of Google Talk is the small footprint and XMPP interoperability. I'm hoping these new features don't screw that all up.

Want to try the new one? Download it here.

Avalanche preseason games have been posted to the ...

2006-07-28T15:42:00.000-06:00

Avalanche preseason games have been posted to the Av's 2006-2007 Calendar. Hockey Starts in September! Yeah, baby!

Although I can't take credit for it, I have receiv...

2006-07-28T14:26:00.000-06:00

Although I can't take credit for it, I have received some very high praise for Sunday, Bloody Sunday. Let me reiterate: This is NOT my work. The compliments below belong to the original artist, Rx. But since they were sent to me via email, rather than posted to the blog, I wanted to share them anyway. Just in case Rx happens to be reading...it's all you, baby! Well done!

Kind Words for Rx's Sunday, Bloody Sunday:

"Absolutely beautiful! Does he do weddings?"
Joe Hammons

Rob's Reply: "Good question, Joe. As long as it was one of those normal God-Fearing-American one-man-one-woman kind of marriages, I think he might consider it."

"YOU ARE A GENIUS MY FRIEND !!!"
MineHead

"I don't know whether to laugh, cry or just stare in bewildered amazement. I found myself inadvertently doing the latter. Your take on that idiot ("W") doing "Bloody Sunday" is to be cheered and lauded!!! Takes my breath away! Thanks."
Robert Hannan

"Sunday Bloody Sunday is brilliant; may I play the audio on the radio network I program in Vermont?"
Zeb Norris
WNCS/WDOT/WRJT "The Point" Program Director

"Hey Rob, Just watched Bush singing "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" ... had to tell you that if you were the one who did this, you're a genius! Really. Loved it."
Michael Luther

"Thank you So much for that bush remix of Sunday Bloody Sunday. Fantastic! I haven’t laughed so much in a long time."
Lisa Miller

George W. Bush sings Sunday Bloody Sunday ...

2006-07-28T11:05:00.000-06:00

George W. Bush sings Sunday Bloody Sunday

Just to clarify, this is NOT my work...I just dig it ALOT. I originally found this on Google Video, but it was produced by an artist named "Rx". His website, including more of his work and a cd available for purchase, can be found at partyparty.com (thanks to gildedlink, Brodie K. and Luke Meade for the tip). Although I have received many compliments and emails, all kudos should be directed there.