{"id":14613,"date":"2023-01-16T07:45:04","date_gmt":"2023-01-16T15:45:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wallyontheweb.com\/home\/?p=14613"},"modified":"2023-01-24T08:00:45","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T16:00:45","slug":"january-16-january-22-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wallyontheweb.com\/home\/january-16-january-22-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"January 16 – January 22 (2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"

RANDOM PIC OF THE WEEK<\/h3>\n

I saw this meme recently and don’t disagree with anything on it. Good advice all around!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

What the heck ever happened to the group Smash Mouth? I loved their music, and I really loved their debut hit “Walkin’ on the Sun!” <\/span><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.wallyontheweb.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Walkin-on-the-Sun.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Monday the 16th \u2013 A GOOD WAY TO \u201cHEAD\u201d INTO THE NEW YEAR! \u2013<\/span> Since it was a holiday there wasn\u2019t much going on. A few days ago I took my bicycle into the local shop to get tuned up, and it was ready to go. So I did my 2 mile walk, and then stopped at the bike shop on the way home to grab it. It felt good to be on the bike again! It had been much too long. It was a very nice \u201clooking\u201d day out\u2026but it was pretty chilly. I got home and walked Roxy and we both enjoyed the warmth of the day once the sun came out. I went inside to do some other work, grabbed a shower and then a nap. I got up later to do Wally\u2019s Week and make the new puppet head for my Mahna Mahna Muppet replica. The first head I did wasn\u2019t exactly what I needed, but it had turned into a nice little puppet head that I\u2019m going to use for a different, original character. There are no accidents in life, and I’m really loving this new little puppet.<\/p>\n

Tuesday the 17th \u2013 KIBBLE TROUBLE?! \u2013<\/span> Since I started him on a fresh bag of kibble, my cat Spooky had puked twice. I didn\u2019t know if he was sick, or if there was something in the kibble that didn\u2019t agree with him. It was the same brand and flavor of kibble he has been on since he was a kitten, so I wasn\u2019t sure what was going on. I called the vet and they said to bring it back in. When I got there they brought out a bag of kibble with which to exchange it. But when they put the two bags side by side, I noticed that they had different artwork. Then I noticed on the bag I had just returned, a mention of a \u201cgreat new taste!\u201d Uh oh. They changed their formula\u2026most likely as a cost-cutting measure. These companies never change their formula to benefit the customer, only their bottom line. So I was worried that perhaps the \u201cgreat new taste\u201d might have had more junk and fillers in it, which is why my cat probably threw it up. Something in the new kibble was irritating him. The other bag they brought out was still the older formula, so I told them I would take that instead. The gal at the vet\u2019s office said to transition him gently to the new formula and let his body get used to it. I decided to take back the bag of the new formula, and buy the bag of the old formula so I could start mixing it. I\u2019ll start out with 2 parts old to 1 part new. Then gradually get to 1 part old and 1 part new. Then eventually he\u2019ll go to a 100% new formula. I hate when companies do this\u2026to both human food AND pet food. Like I said, it\u2019s never done to benefit the consumer. I walked to a local shop to buy another garage door opener so that I could hide it in a secret location in case I ever needed access to my garage for emergencies. This past summer I had a door knob on my front door malfunction. Something broke inside the mechanism and I was unable to open the door. Luckily I was inside at the time and I could disassemble the door knob, remove it and replace it with a new one. But had it malfunctioned when I was outside, it would have been a very different story! This way I\u2019ll have a second way of entering my house in case it happens while I\u2019m out some time. When I got home I cleaned up Planet Wallywood in anticipation of some VIP guests I\u2019d have over later. Then I went to Paty\u2019s to meet up with Drew Massey and Nicolette Santino. They\u2019re both actors and puppet performers whom I had wanted to meet with for quite some time to talk to them about a project. Since he\u2019s also a Voice Actor, I had seen Drew around at several events over the years, but I had never gotten a chance to sit down and chat with him. I had seen his girlfriend Nicolette perform at the \u201cPuppet Up!\u201d show at Henson Studios before, but had never formally met her. She had been on tour for several months in 2022 with the rock group Coldplay. She performed a live puppet character called Angel Moon. It was fun chatting with them and getting to know them and exchanging life stories. Then I gave them the tour of Planet Wallywood and had them both sign my Puppet Room wall. When they left I grabbed a nap, and then got up to record my nightly auditions. I went through all my bank statements and reconciled my receipts, and then did more work on my Mahna Mahna head. It\u2019s looking good, now that I\u2019ve altered the pattern. I did some video editing on my computer and then hit the hay.<\/p>\n

Wednesday the 18th \u2013 BACK IT UP, BUTTERCUP! \u2013<\/span> During the recent rainstorms, I had lost power briefly in my house. I have my computer system on a battery back-up so I don\u2019t lose data in a power outage. The other day my battery back-up started beeping at me and I wasn\u2019t sure what was going on. So I just shut the whole thing down immediately. Apparently this type of back-up runs through a periodic self-test, in order to ensure that they have ample power in case of an outage. From what I could ascertain from the internet, the beep meant that it failed the test. Since my battery back-up was pretty old (they don\u2019t even sell this model any longer) I looked into replacing the internal battery in the housing. But there were a lot of complaints in the Amazon reviews about the terminals being different now, and in order to connect the new batteries to the older housings you\u2019d need an adapter for this and blah blah blah blah. I made the decision to just buy a new system and be done with it. I called Staples to see if they sold them, so I wouldn\u2019t have to wait for one to come from Amazon, and got a real surprise. The answering system in place at my local Staples store featured a voice that sounded very familiar. It was mine! I had done some work for a phone system a long time ago that I had forgotten about. But it was kind of fun hearing me on the phone! I found out that they did have the battery back-up I needed, so I headed over to get my packages at my box, and then hit Staples to pick up a new back-up system. I got some groceries at the store, and tried to find low sodium options on the things I like. With this recent \u201chigh blood pressure\u201d issue, I\u2019m doing my best to try and exercise regularly and eat better. But I\u2019ll be darned if it\u2019s a lot harder than I thought. The doc said to stay away from processed foods, but what ISN\u2019T processed in this day and age. Even the restaurants I go to get their supplies from companies that process food. I\u2019m totally screwed. I got home and did some work, recorded my auditions, took a quick nap, and then did some work at my computer station in preparation to install my new battery back-up. From everything I\u2019ve read, it\u2019s just a plug-and-play type of thing. But I\u2019ll need to shut everything down and move stuff around to install the new gear.<\/p>\n

Thursday the 19th \u2013 WINTER! BAH! \u2013<\/span> When I took Roxy out I was greeted by a cloudy and cold day. It wasn\u2019t a good day for my walk, so I gave myself the day off. The rest of the weekend was going to be sunny and nice, so I decided to wait for nicer weather. I\u2019ve had some nice blood pressure readings of late, so whatever I\u2019m doing (exercise, medication, diet) seem to be working. I worked around the house most of the day, and then grabbed a nap later with Spook curled up next to me. Since I mixed his kibble (the old with the new) he\u2019s been keeping everything down a lot better. I hadn\u2019t had another problem with him. Later I got up to do my auditions, sent some emails, prepped for my maids, and then made some spaghetti and watched a few episodes of \u201cThe Lone Ranger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Friday the 20th \u2013 MORE GUESTS! \u2013<\/span> Both the maids and Roxy\u2019s groomer arrived at the same time. So it was the perfect storm. Roxy was out back getting a bath so she was out of the way when the maids came in to clean. Later my friend Sunni, her son Brandon and her girlfriend Erica came over. They were in town from Washington state on vacation, and while they were mostly centered around the San Diego area, they made the drive up to see me! After a tour of Planet Wallywood we all hopped in the Gray Ghost (my new Rav4) and headed to Bob\u2019s Big Boy to eat. It was hot rod night at Bob\u2019s, so it was fun to see all the great cars while we were there. They headed back to San Diego to rest up for a big weekend at Sesame Place and Sea World!<\/p>\n

Saturday the 21st \u2013 DINING LIKE DISNEY! \u2013<\/span> When I looked outside it looked sunny and gorgeous! I decided instead of doing my walk, I\u2019d get my bicycle out and take a half hour ride. But once I got outside I realized how chilly it was! When I\u2019m walking the wind doesn\u2019t hit me quite so hard. But when I\u2019m on a bicycle going fast, that chilly wind hits hard! Later in the afternoon my pal Amanda came over, and we were soon joined by my buddies Officer Mark and James from Warner. Mark helped me download a new program on my computer that I needed, and then we all hopped in the Gray Ghost and went to a 100+ year old restaurant called the Tam O\u2019Shanter. Walt Disney and his artists used to dine there frequently during the early days of the Disney studios. Officer Mark was able to get us seated at their regular table! Fabulous! We had a fun meal, and then came back to Planet Wallywood to watch the first two episodes from the second season of \u201cTiger and Bunny.\u201d When the first season came out many years ago, we made it a point to watch an episode a week at my weekly movie nights. But since the second season episodes are available exclusively on a streaming platform that I don\u2019t have, Mark was kind enough to bring his equipment over so we could watch a few. Roxy wasn\u2019t doing very well, as she hadn\u2019t really eaten anything all day. I think her tummy was upset. She just spent most of the day and evening sleeping. When I got her outside she was moving slowly and seemed very confused. Once my guests left, I napped on the couch so I could be close to her in case she had some sort of issue.<\/p>\n

Sunday the 22nd \u2013 PUPPET PLAY! \u2013<\/span> Since I\u2019d be meeting with my pal Drew Massey to start work on a new puppet, I wanted to pack a kit of all the tools and utilities that we might need during the fabrication process. I noticed a call coming in from Susan, the daughter of my 95 year old \u201cadopted grandma\u201d Shirley. When we spoke she said that Shirley was taken to the hospital on Saturday after suffering a heart attack. She said that Shirley was doing as well as could be expected, and she\u2019d keep me posted on the progress. I drove to Drew\u2019s studio and we started work on my Mahna Mahna replica Muppet. I have most of the puppet finished, but I just needed his expertise and advice to complete a few things. We spent about 3 hours working on patterning the head and it\u2019s turning out great! I love the new head I built, and I love the purple fleece fabric we\u2019ll end up using for the final product. It was fun chatting with Drew while we worked and realizing how similar our life paths were. We got a great head covering cut out, and Drew will spend some time stitching it up over the next few days. We\u2019ll meet again soon to tackle the next step. When I got home I had just enough time to do a brisk, 2 mile walk before the sun went down for the evening. Later that night I made some foam rubber ears for my original puppet, and fixed the arms for Mahna Mahna to get them ready for their fabric covering and installation. I grabbed a shower, meditated, and napped. I got up later for some auditions that were due on Monday. I made my Saturday Night Super Saint Salad (a night later than usual) and enjoyed a salad while I watched Roger Moore as Simon Templar. Because I had to get up early on Sunday I decided to move my traditional Saturday Night Saint viewing to Sunday night.<\/p>\n

And how was YOUR week??!!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PIX FROM THE WEEK<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

It only took about 2 and a half months (better late than never) but I finally got copies of some shots my friend Valerie Perez and I took at the “Halloween Hotness” event at Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum last October.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: Wally Wingert and Valerie Perez attend The 8th Annual Halloween Hotness 8: Defying Gravity, Benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital held at Madame Tussauds on October 29, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: Wally Wingert attends The 8th Annual Halloween Hotness 8: Defying Gravity, Benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital held at Madame Tussauds on October 29, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: Wally Wingert attends The 8th Annual Halloween Hotness 8: Defying Gravity, Benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital held at Madame Tussauds on October 29, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Speaking of Val, here’s a great shot of her and Cookie Monster sharing a tortilla chip at lunch!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Starting on the second pass of the head for Mahna Mahna!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Spook is comfy and sound asleep on the bed!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

I’m very excited about these two new action figures based on animated characters I’ve performed voice work for! It’s gonna be a great year!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Here are the new ears I made for my original puppet. He’s coming right along!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

But my favorite puppet of all is my doggie Roxy!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

My new Renji figured showed up this week! Now I’m just waiting for the new Arkham Riddler figure to arrive!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Roxy’s cozy in her Avengers blankey!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

This plaque adorns the “Disney Table” at Tam O’Shanter.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

My pal Amanda and I enjoy a nice atmosphere, and great food!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Officer Mark and James from Warner agree!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Fish ‘n’ Chips time for Amanda…<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

…even though it looks like she’s more interested in my turkey dinner!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

A fantastic night, with fabulous food and fun friends!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Oddly enough, the 100+ year old restaurant looks like something you’d see in Disneyland!<\/p><\/div>\n

https:\/\/www.wallyontheweb.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Mahna-test.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n

A quick eye test for my new Mahna Mahna replica Muppet. Though these eye cones are only test versions, and the strings that control the eye blinking will eventually go inside the puppet’s head, I’m seeing the makings of a really cool little puppet!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

RANDOM PIC OF THE WEEK I saw this meme recently and don’t disagree with anything on it. Good advice all around! What the heck ever happened to the group Smash Mouth? I loved their music, and I really loved their debut hit “Walkin’ on the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14633,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14613","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wallysweek"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wallyontheweb.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14613","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wallyontheweb.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wallyontheweb.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wallyontheweb.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wallyontheweb.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14613"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.wallyontheweb.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14613\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wallyontheweb.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wallyontheweb.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14613"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wallyontheweb.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14613"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wallyontheweb.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14613"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}