Episode 54: The Lost Episode

So it has been a couple of months since my last post, which for the past two years is considered a quick turnaround. Let me catch you up on a few things. First off, it finally happened, I have my first real complaint about Movie House 2.0. You see, we have these TV's in the lobby that play ads, music videos, and general whatnot, and recently they've started playing the Rob Schneider, "Making Copies" State Farm ad. At what point does State Farm admit that they are scraping the bottom of the barrel of mid 90's SNL characters? I'm sure next years' "Delta Delta Delta" ad is going to be a blast.

It's coming, I promise you...

So realistically that is the only real hardship I've had to deal with since... Wait, what's this? Okay everybody, never mind, I'm good. And while I'll openly admit that I haven't paid much attention to the vaccine debate, anytime I can side against the guy behind, "The Animal" I'm going to do it.

Oh hey, I also visited NYC for the first time, and participated in the Electric Run, a 5k crossed with a low level family friendlyish rave, that also sells beer/SoCo drinks. ---Yes, that entire phrase was on the banners. In case you were wondering, this was my get up in full effect...

I guess the main story here is that I finished a 5k without dying, pissing my pants, and in less time than it takes to watch a Lord of the Rings movie.  Also, this may serve as my foot in the door to the Rave circuit, and you guys know how I've been looking to start going raves.

In other news, I was apparently documented as a buffalo super fan again. This time CBS caught me at this past week's Bills/Chargers game. Though a handful of people texted me after it happened, one buddy got a shot of the magic moment. Thanks Jeff!!!

If you look close enough, you'll see a sailboat, or alcoholism...

In true Bills fan form, after they lost in truly depressing fashion, a couple of the drunker fans began questioning my loyalty since the colors of my official Royal Order of The Water Buffalo hat were blue and yellow, the same colors as the San Diego Chargers. This caused me, and I admit the loss had soured my mood, to gently remind them, "IT'S A F-----G BUFFALO HAT, YOU IDIOT" Fortunately, they either didn't hear me or chose to ignore me, because if they had taken exception, the game wouldn't have have been the only thing lost in a depressing fashion.  A fight and a pint of blood would have taken an L too.

But none of this is why I decided to write this post today. I wrote this post because I have made a decision. A decision I have made several times before, but this time I want to follow through. You see, now more than ever, it's time to get the band back together...

It's time to do a Minch and Topeck podcast. The last time I had this idea I gave an overview of what the Minch and Topeck show was/is/will be We live in a world where everyone has a podcast, so why not be like everyone? Our biggest obstacle is two fold, a complete lack of equipment and my complete lack of knowledge of how to use the equipment that we as of yet, do not have. Despite all of this, I am issuing a challenge to both of my co hosts as well as myself, that we can get this on board before the end of the year. Granted we all have responsibilities, like children, drinking habits, or Simpsons based freemium games, but I believe we can get this done. I won't mention where yet, but we already have a site willing to host it, you may have heard of them. They feature many great articles and podcasts from many great people, and one from a guy with below average grammar who bitches about TV shows and movies. Now, I'm not going to go as far as to start a kickstarter to get the Minch and Topeck show on the internets, but I will keep a bucket outside my front door, in case you'd like to donate. The challenge has been made, onward to victory!!!!

...so again, how do you Podcast?

And now for something new called, "Hey, Remember When MvW Was Good?" where I link old episodes so new people can see what this was like when I wrote it regularly. In March of 2012, I was told that this blog was too male centric, and as a result, I wrote a script for a romantic comedy. Please enjoy, or enjoy again Episode 26: Vanek at the Disco, even though he's not a Sabre anymore...

Well that's it for this episode, which if you're keeping score at home, is only "The Lost Episode" because I numbered the last one wrong. I'm a dummy. Feel free to share this on your Facepage, PinSpace, InstaBooks, and on AOL Chat rooms when asked a/s/l.

Minch 

Episode 55: Return of the Mack...

Oh hey guys! I know I've gained a few twitter followers and Facebook friends since my last post, so welcome to my blog. Feel free to root around and enjoy some of MvW's earlier offerings, might I recommend avoiding 2013, as it gets a little dark. I'm going to avoid making promises to keep up with this thing, but I will say, that when I have something to write, I will. Also, every month I'll still be writing Minch's Pop Tarts for Maglomaniac which I love doing. Rather than reading over the same "7 things 90's kids will remember." horseshit from Buzzfeed, give Maglomaniac a daily perusing. I mean seriously Buzzfeed, we get it God Dammit, they don't make French Toast Crunch anymore, I don't need 300 articles to remind me. If people cared about French Toast Crunch, they would have bought French Toast Crunch, and then French Toast Crunch would still exist. Pepsi Blue on the other hand...

The one thing I knew was going to be a topic when I finally got back to writing this would be my time at Allstate. What I struggled with, is how I could convey that my time there wasn't easy but still make damn sure it was evident how much I appreciated the opportunity, and how much I loved the office I worked for, and every person in it. Finally, a proper analogy dawned on me. My time at Allstate was the equivalent of Shaquille O'Neal playing Hockey.

Stop it Spex, it was the only photo I could find...

Yes, Shaq playing hockey. Shaq's a great athlete, hockey's a great sport, but it's just not a match. Hell, you can even put Shaq on a great team, with an excellent coach, but it's all for naught when Shaq dumps it as soon as his feet hit the ice, or rifles a slap shot into the concession stand, or other sports analogy that symbolizes how mediocre I was. Truth is, I was on a great team, with a great coach, and my year there was a necessary and important one. I believe that there's no version of this story that had me going directly from Movie House: The Original Series to Movie House: The Next Generation. Allstate had to happen, and I am eternally grateful that it did.

How is Movie House 2.0 you ask? Well given their well advertised blogging policy, (Movie House 1.0 probably had one to but you know...FART NOISE) I will simply state that it is going very very well. Sure, it took me a little while to transition from one company's rules to another company's rules (For instance, believe it or not, you are NOT allowed to punch customers at the new Movie House. I learned that the hard way) but after half a year, I feel like I'm in the pocket, and to be honest, I'm pretty damn happy. If only there was a picture that could accurately showcase that I have honestly let go of 12 years of Movie House 1.0 bitterness...

Jesus Facebook, some of you acted like I posed with Hugo Chavez or Kim Jung Un. Some even thought I had returned to THAT Movie House. No, I posted it because this Movie House run is different. The long standing feud is over, and I walked away from it having learned a lot about myself, and who I want to be as a manager. Yes, I posted it for that reason, and not because someone with authority at MH 2.0 put me up to it, no sir, no way.

So, with me at peace with my working situation, what the shit do I write about now? Does Minch vs the World become about fitness, and my attempt to get back to my old fighting weight? Well, I have bought some new gym shoes, gym shorts, and an iPod, and the pristine condition those three items are in tells a story. Is it going to be about trying to get a podcast started? Truth is, I know a couple of fellas who are waiting to hear that we're getting the band back together. Could be, if I ever figure out how to turn on microphones. Perhaps I'll sell my soul to the content devil, and write "32 Things About Space Jam that will Blow Your Mind" or "Here's what Disney Princesses Would Look Like If They Were On The Show Matlock."

 I guess when I figure that out, you'll be the first to know...

Minch

(...and because I know the title of this episode put this song in your head, here's my gift to you)

        

Episode 53: One More Time

Sit down internets, I have something to tell you...

Granted this is an unusual time to break out a blog, especially since the last one was before the holidays, but this isn't an ordinary day. This is the eve of final shift at Allstate Insurance. Yes, you read that right. No, I wasn't fired (why does everyone keep asking that?), my new job starts Saturday, but before I get into where that is, I'll start with how it came to be...

After a particularly busy year end over at Allstate, I decided to take a couple of days to put my feet up, basically a long weekend. Save a trip to Buffalo to gorge myself on Duff's wings and watch the Sabres lose, I didn't really have any plans in place. Within those days, I started binging on movies. Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Her, Nebraska, Gravity, but you should know about that from reading this month's edition of Minch's Pop Tarts!  

So when I got the invite from Tanski to go see the new Jack Ryan movie at Tinseltown I was just about movied out, but hell, we were going to the bar after so, who am I to complain? But a funny thing happened on the way to bar. Before the movie began, we had a conversation with the GM of Tinseltown, a long conversation, a long conversation that turned into a conversation scheduled for another date, which turned into yet another conversation, which became an offer. An offer I decided, I couldn't refuse.

Ladies and gentlemen, Mike Minch is returning to the movie theater business!!!

This decision didn't come easily. I wasn't looking for a new job. I don't want to go from holding on to the same gig for almost 13 years to becoming a journeyman who only stays at a job for a year and change like a difficult to employ Incredible Hulk. The thing I kept coming back to is the idea of trying the movie business one more time. It was, after all, a job that I was pretty damn good at, and when not bogged down by...well you know, I really enjoyed.

This is not just me returning back from whence I came, this is Tinseltown. This is me, after a long and storied career at WCW, getting the call up to the WWF, The Show, The Big League, Other Sports Analogy!

While my time at Allstate wasn't terribly long, it certainly was memorable. I had a hell of a boss, and a crew of coworkers who I consider dear friends. And I'm not just blowing smoke, my boss is a guy who, upon finding out I had just broke up with Samantha  came right into my office and talked to me about it, offering advice and genuinely caring about the situation. A hell of a guy. It's not easy to walk away from a boss like that.

So why am I? Realistically, because I believe this job will make me happy. Not "solve all life's problems, and achieve Nirvana happy," no one's job can do that, but happy. It's an opportunity to engage with people who have come to my place of business, not to report an accident, not to argue over a bill, but to be entertained. An opportunity to do it all again, but this time, do it right. Also, if this leads to me getting a job running a theater in sunny Florida, well then that's an added bonus.

This time, it'll be different, because this time, I'm Batman not because I need to be, but because I choose to be. Now, HIT MY MUSIC!!!

Happy Valentines Day,
Minch