Whoever created this animation either
1) needs an appropriate 12-Step group;
2) Watched way too much television as kids; or
3) all of the above
Feel free to check out the duel and see for yourself!
May 31, 2004
From Russia With Loathe...
OK, it's a bit melodramatic of a title, but the past month has been...interesting. I'm a single guy, and decided to put my dating life "on hold" (meaning, pickin's are slim). That's when my Russian cutie came in.
(Please note - this note contains heavy sarcasm throughout, and should be seen in that light).
She e-mailed me, and sent me a picture - not a bad lookin' woman. Of course, since my bull$h!+ detector is now on overload (and since I could always use a pen pal), I decided to be Mr. Cool and Distant via e-mail.
Of course, three weeks later, the bombshell - she's madly in love with me. Go figure. She even sends me a picture of "herself" in a bikini and says that she has had "sexual dreams" about me. Wondering what in the name of Buddha on a pogo stick is going on, I decided to do some investigating.
Looking through the pictures she had sent, they were all of two to three different women. (I guess she was hoping that the testosterone would flood to my brain and blind me). Thanks to a computer-savvy pal, we figured out that, for a Russian gal, her e-mails all orginated in the US...and that her domain didn't exist. Of course, searching on Google led to an industry of Russian women available...and that I was a soon-to-be victim of a scam.
Of course, my Russian "hottie" has now sent me an e-mail asking for $2400 to purchase the plane ticket, and that she now has a visa, a picture of which she sent to me. (Trying to get a tourist/business visa in Russia is like trying to locate a funny show starring McLean Stevenson that isn't M.A.S.H.) I told her that, in the next few weeks, I would be visiting her.
Watch this space for updates!
(Please note - this note contains heavy sarcasm throughout, and should be seen in that light).
She e-mailed me, and sent me a picture - not a bad lookin' woman. Of course, since my bull$h!+ detector is now on overload (and since I could always use a pen pal), I decided to be Mr. Cool and Distant via e-mail.
Of course, three weeks later, the bombshell - she's madly in love with me. Go figure. She even sends me a picture of "herself" in a bikini and says that she has had "sexual dreams" about me. Wondering what in the name of Buddha on a pogo stick is going on, I decided to do some investigating.
Looking through the pictures she had sent, they were all of two to three different women. (I guess she was hoping that the testosterone would flood to my brain and blind me). Thanks to a computer-savvy pal, we figured out that, for a Russian gal, her e-mails all orginated in the US...and that her domain didn't exist. Of course, searching on Google led to an industry of Russian women available...and that I was a soon-to-be victim of a scam.
Of course, my Russian "hottie" has now sent me an e-mail asking for $2400 to purchase the plane ticket, and that she now has a visa, a picture of which she sent to me. (Trying to get a tourist/business visa in Russia is like trying to locate a funny show starring McLean Stevenson that isn't M.A.S.H.) I told her that, in the next few weeks, I would be visiting her.
Watch this space for updates!
Ya Plays Yer Money and Ya Takes Yer Chances...
This past weekend, I took a little trip to the President's Casino, as part of an activity with Metropolis. It was one of those "you have to do it once in your life" kind of deals, much like an excursion to a strip club when I was younger.
It's interesting to see other people make the casino part of their Saturday night - on the whole, I spent two hours and fifteen minutes at the casino, and one hour and fifty of that was in the buffet talking to some friends about Kevin Smith movies. After that, it's a multicolored, loud, gaudy experience - much like a Hawaiian shirt with Day-Glo paint spilled on it. Ended up tripling my money - spent $20, and won about $70 playing blackjack. (However, the highlight was watching a now-former friend play the "I-don't-like-you-anymore-so-I'm-going-to-visibly-ignore-you" game. It was almost like being in 7th grade again, it was so sweet).
Of course, given that I work for a substance abuse-related agency, I just had to take a good look at the poker bar - that's right, you can gamble and consume large amounts of alcohol at the same time. Get all of your compulsive behaviors taken care of at once. (I didn't play, though - after a few rounds of blackjack, I heeded the man's advice, and knew when to hold 'em, and when to fold 'em).
My biggest, most hazardous stunt this weekend? Watching Weekend at Bernie's, acquiring through ordering a Papa John's pizza. Nothing like enjoying the wacky shenanigans of a dead guy to liven up one's weekend.
It's interesting to see other people make the casino part of their Saturday night - on the whole, I spent two hours and fifteen minutes at the casino, and one hour and fifty of that was in the buffet talking to some friends about Kevin Smith movies. After that, it's a multicolored, loud, gaudy experience - much like a Hawaiian shirt with Day-Glo paint spilled on it. Ended up tripling my money - spent $20, and won about $70 playing blackjack. (However, the highlight was watching a now-former friend play the "I-don't-like-you-anymore-so-I'm-going-to-visibly-ignore-you" game. It was almost like being in 7th grade again, it was so sweet).
Of course, given that I work for a substance abuse-related agency, I just had to take a good look at the poker bar - that's right, you can gamble and consume large amounts of alcohol at the same time. Get all of your compulsive behaviors taken care of at once. (I didn't play, though - after a few rounds of blackjack, I heeded the man's advice, and knew when to hold 'em, and when to fold 'em).
My biggest, most hazardous stunt this weekend? Watching Weekend at Bernie's, acquiring through ordering a Papa John's pizza. Nothing like enjoying the wacky shenanigans of a dead guy to liven up one's weekend.
May 27, 2004
Boldly Going Nowhere At Warp Speed...
Well, last night was the big Enterprise season finale, and as a hardcore Trekker, I was seriously disappointed.
Ya gotta understand - I was brought up on the original Trek; heck, it was one of the few things that my father and I actually agreed upon. (We both beat out Mom in the Kirk vs. Picard argument). I don't own a Starfleet Uniform, nor do I attend conventions, but I actually like Trek, which was one of the few shows that treated you like you were semi-intelligent.
Maybe the fact that I had watched the Deep Space 9 series closer, "What You Leave Behind". It was - and is - one of the few pieces of television that actually moved me to tears. Well-written characters, a great sense of ending plot, and (surprisingly) an almost cliche-free ending. It was uneven in places, and didn't wrap everything up in a totally nice bow...but it was a moving tribute to the cast and crew who worked on the show.
(For the record - TNG's series ender was merely a setup for the movie franchise, and Voyager...well, more on that later).
Enterprise, on the other hand, seemed to be lackluster, and even sprung a trick ending that was even more confusing than the twist of Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes. Wow, would the earth survive? Well, given that the show occurs about 100 years before the original series...wow, what a twist!
The end formally began with Voyager - what started out as a unique premise quickly turned into a mass of cliches, unoriginality (hey, let's trot out the Borg!), obvious pandering (what else explains Jeri Ryan's woodenness in Voyager, but her all-out humanity in Boston Public, and don't give me no "she was reclaiming her humanity" stuff).
However, Enterprise's main challenge has been working in a climate where even greater strides have been made. Want an example of extended story arcs? Babylon 5 started it (albeit awkwardly) and Buffy strengthened it. Want unique science-fiction creatures and storytelling? Farscape Want something a little more, er, "edgy"? Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda (Which, ironically, came from a failed Trek proposal, along with some of Roddenberry's other notes). In a climate where greater creative strides are being made, instead of leading the pack, Enrerprise is following...and eventually, seems more like a cookie-cutter version of Trek than the real thing.
Maybe, in the end, that's the key - TOS, TNG, and DS9 were (somewhat) influenced by a single vision, before Star Trek became The Franchise. It used to be about telling unique stories about the human condition - about how, as we reach for the stars, we learn more about ourselves. Sadly, it seems, both Voyager and Enterprise have boiled the vision down to base elements, as if having a person with pointy ears and green blood makes it valid and real, rather than exploring the character behind the traits.
Somewhere, out there, Gene Roddenberry is weeping...
Ya gotta understand - I was brought up on the original Trek; heck, it was one of the few things that my father and I actually agreed upon. (We both beat out Mom in the Kirk vs. Picard argument). I don't own a Starfleet Uniform, nor do I attend conventions, but I actually like Trek, which was one of the few shows that treated you like you were semi-intelligent.
Maybe the fact that I had watched the Deep Space 9 series closer, "What You Leave Behind". It was - and is - one of the few pieces of television that actually moved me to tears. Well-written characters, a great sense of ending plot, and (surprisingly) an almost cliche-free ending. It was uneven in places, and didn't wrap everything up in a totally nice bow...but it was a moving tribute to the cast and crew who worked on the show.
(For the record - TNG's series ender was merely a setup for the movie franchise, and Voyager...well, more on that later).
Enterprise, on the other hand, seemed to be lackluster, and even sprung a trick ending that was even more confusing than the twist of Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes. Wow, would the earth survive? Well, given that the show occurs about 100 years before the original series...wow, what a twist!
The end formally began with Voyager - what started out as a unique premise quickly turned into a mass of cliches, unoriginality (hey, let's trot out the Borg!), obvious pandering (what else explains Jeri Ryan's woodenness in Voyager, but her all-out humanity in Boston Public, and don't give me no "she was reclaiming her humanity" stuff).
However, Enterprise's main challenge has been working in a climate where even greater strides have been made. Want an example of extended story arcs? Babylon 5 started it (albeit awkwardly) and Buffy strengthened it. Want unique science-fiction creatures and storytelling? Farscape Want something a little more, er, "edgy"? Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda (Which, ironically, came from a failed Trek proposal, along with some of Roddenberry's other notes). In a climate where greater creative strides are being made, instead of leading the pack, Enrerprise is following...and eventually, seems more like a cookie-cutter version of Trek than the real thing.
Maybe, in the end, that's the key - TOS, TNG, and DS9 were (somewhat) influenced by a single vision, before Star Trek became The Franchise. It used to be about telling unique stories about the human condition - about how, as we reach for the stars, we learn more about ourselves. Sadly, it seems, both Voyager and Enterprise have boiled the vision down to base elements, as if having a person with pointy ears and green blood makes it valid and real, rather than exploring the character behind the traits.
Somewhere, out there, Gene Roddenberry is weeping...
May 26, 2004
Bruce Campbell Rocks, Man!
Right now, I'm in the midst of a lot of stuff at work - reviewing grant applications, training tobacco merchants on state law, yes, it sounds like an exciting, glamorous life. During times like these, I want my reading simple, to-the-point, and lacking pretension, which is why I pretty much devoured Bruce Campbell's autobiography, If Chins Could Kill, in one Sunday afternoon.
Have to admit, I enjoy the guy's work, but wouldn't consider myself a fan - really liked Brisco County, Jr., enjoyed Army of Darkness, wouldn't turn off Xena or Hercules when he was on it...but I'm not religious about the guy. However, after reading his book, I'm gonna be adding some movies to my Netflix list.
Unlike many celebrity biographies, this isn't your typical tell-all, bring-those-skeletons-outa-the-closet-and-make-'em-dance book. It's actually a simple story about a hard working guy who enjoys what he does, and who just seems...well, normal. He's the kind of guy you'd want to hang out with, and his book reflects that, and provides some interesting insight into the world of relatively lower budget filmmaking
If you haven't already, either check it out of your library and/or purchase a copy from your local indie bookstore. (Hey, the guy deserves his royalties). It's written in a deceptively pretension-lacking style, and won't make your head hurt. Trust me - my brain, right now, feels like I've watched about 48 hours of Charles in Charge non-stop, and Mr. Campbell's book helped clear it up, if only for a little while.
And no, I don't get any royalties, so you have no excuse. Buy it. Read it. Believe it.
Have to admit, I enjoy the guy's work, but wouldn't consider myself a fan - really liked Brisco County, Jr., enjoyed Army of Darkness, wouldn't turn off Xena or Hercules when he was on it...but I'm not religious about the guy. However, after reading his book, I'm gonna be adding some movies to my Netflix list.
Unlike many celebrity biographies, this isn't your typical tell-all, bring-those-skeletons-outa-the-closet-and-make-'em-dance book. It's actually a simple story about a hard working guy who enjoys what he does, and who just seems...well, normal. He's the kind of guy you'd want to hang out with, and his book reflects that, and provides some interesting insight into the world of relatively lower budget filmmaking
If you haven't already, either check it out of your library and/or purchase a copy from your local indie bookstore. (Hey, the guy deserves his royalties). It's written in a deceptively pretension-lacking style, and won't make your head hurt. Trust me - my brain, right now, feels like I've watched about 48 hours of Charles in Charge non-stop, and Mr. Campbell's book helped clear it up, if only for a little while.
And no, I don't get any royalties, so you have no excuse. Buy it. Read it. Believe it.
May 22, 2004
Byrne-d By That Pesky Continuity
I have to admit that I am a total comic book fanboy, much more than, say, Kevin Smith, and when I opened that issue of JLA, and heard the news...well, let's just say I'm a little peeved.
It seems that John Byrne, who had his glory days years ago, and who has done some really good stuff in the recent past (including various Generations mini-series that are real-time stories of Superman and Batman), wants to revive The Doom Patrol...but unfortunately, his revamp cuts out years of established continuity.
Now, I admit, I may be taking this a little too personally - after all, Doom Patrol (especially reprints of the 1960s comic in little digests) were my teenage faves. (I discovered them through the New Teen Titans). This is not as distressing as, say, when Arnold Schwartzenegger announced that he was going to play Doc Savage, one of my childhood idols, but...Byrne still writes like it's the 1980s (in my opinion), and unfortunately, no one has bothered to remind him that it's not the 1990s...
Continuity, ah, the fanboy's conundrum. Used well, it really helps gives cohesion to stories, and can provide elements which writers can use (such as Star Trek: Deep Space 9, which I'll blog about at a later date). Used poorly, it becomes an excuse for bad writing (which is why I commend Russell T Davies, producer of the new BBC Doctor Who series - he's asking everyone to keep an open mind, and wants to tell good continuity-less stories. However, unless you're doing a total revamp (like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which went from crappy Luke Perry film to kick-butt action series), you need to accommodate history, especially if it's well-established. Nothing wrong with taking chances - and there is a creative way to reconcile it (e-mail me for details), but (again, in my opinion) Byrne's revamp of the Doom Patrol smacks slightly of ego - he is doing it merely because he can. I'll give it a try, but simply put, it may be more Voyager than DS9.
In other news, just got some good books to read, including Reefer Madness (by the same guy who brought you Fast Food Nation), and Bruce Campbell's If Chins Could Kill. And they say literacy is dead in America...
It seems that John Byrne, who had his glory days years ago, and who has done some really good stuff in the recent past (including various Generations mini-series that are real-time stories of Superman and Batman), wants to revive The Doom Patrol...but unfortunately, his revamp cuts out years of established continuity.
Now, I admit, I may be taking this a little too personally - after all, Doom Patrol (especially reprints of the 1960s comic in little digests) were my teenage faves. (I discovered them through the New Teen Titans). This is not as distressing as, say, when Arnold Schwartzenegger announced that he was going to play Doc Savage, one of my childhood idols, but...Byrne still writes like it's the 1980s (in my opinion), and unfortunately, no one has bothered to remind him that it's not the 1990s...
Continuity, ah, the fanboy's conundrum. Used well, it really helps gives cohesion to stories, and can provide elements which writers can use (such as Star Trek: Deep Space 9, which I'll blog about at a later date). Used poorly, it becomes an excuse for bad writing (which is why I commend Russell T Davies, producer of the new BBC Doctor Who series - he's asking everyone to keep an open mind, and wants to tell good continuity-less stories. However, unless you're doing a total revamp (like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which went from crappy Luke Perry film to kick-butt action series), you need to accommodate history, especially if it's well-established. Nothing wrong with taking chances - and there is a creative way to reconcile it (e-mail me for details), but (again, in my opinion) Byrne's revamp of the Doom Patrol smacks slightly of ego - he is doing it merely because he can. I'll give it a try, but simply put, it may be more Voyager than DS9.
In other news, just got some good books to read, including Reefer Madness (by the same guy who brought you Fast Food Nation), and Bruce Campbell's If Chins Could Kill. And they say literacy is dead in America...
May 21, 2004
Two Plugs & A Cheap Shot
OK, first, for the two of you who are interested - look for a new "Open Mike" on Aantares.com. It'll be a gas, or something.
Also, it looks like Yahoo is increasing its storage size in response to Google's new service.
Although I switched to Fastmail years ago (its paid options are a bargain compared to Yahoo), I occasionally use Yahoo Pops to archive my e-mail.
But great - more storage on Yahoo for spam, porn, and just plain unwanted e-mail. Yippie-ki-yay!
Also, it looks like Yahoo is increasing its storage size in response to Google's new service.
Although I switched to Fastmail years ago (its paid options are a bargain compared to Yahoo), I occasionally use Yahoo Pops to archive my e-mail.
But great - more storage on Yahoo for spam, porn, and just plain unwanted e-mail. Yippie-ki-yay!
May 19, 2004
He's a Mess, but Not a Messiah...
First, some sad news - a good female friend of mine may be moving to Las Vegas. I'm happy for her, but will really miss lusting after her behind her back. If you want one night of magic - and you know who you are - give me a call on my cell phone. :)
Anyway, here's a great reason to be alive - Monty Python's Life of Brian is being rereleased, and it is showing at a really cool local theater. (It reminds me of the Brighton Theater in Chicago, before it got torn down for a Walgreen's. Anyway, it will be good - after all the hype of Mel Gibson's Passion, I think that good Christians everywhere need a good laugh. Plus, you just can't beat "Biggus Dickus" for a sleazy laugh.
In other news, and I'll have to get one of those blog listing thingies, Andy Kaufman faked his own death, apparently. First thing he should do - find out why Enterprise was renewed.
Anyway, here's a great reason to be alive - Monty Python's Life of Brian is being rereleased, and it is showing at a really cool local theater. (It reminds me of the Brighton Theater in Chicago, before it got torn down for a Walgreen's. Anyway, it will be good - after all the hype of Mel Gibson's Passion, I think that good Christians everywhere need a good laugh. Plus, you just can't beat "Biggus Dickus" for a sleazy laugh.
In other news, and I'll have to get one of those blog listing thingies, Andy Kaufman faked his own death, apparently. First thing he should do - find out why Enterprise was renewed.
Definitely Poop-worthy
Right now, I have just been mega-busy; merchant education trainings, keeping up with regular paperwork, coalition updates, -sometimes, I just need to keep my humor very simple and mindless.
I've been really digging Come Poop with Me, the CD/DVD by Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog. (OK, his 15 minutes will soon be up - I bought it used for $10. It isn't Voltaire, but has its moments, especially the back-and-forth between Triumph and Blackwolf, the Dragonmaster, who (sadly, now) seems to be in on the joke).
Not everyone's cup of tea, but definitely R-rated. In other listening news, like Bruce McCullough, I've been finding the soundtrack to Shaft (by Isaac Hayes) very sexy indeed. Thanks to my pal Ajay for selling this to me at his garage sale.
I've been really digging Come Poop with Me, the CD/DVD by Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog. (OK, his 15 minutes will soon be up - I bought it used for $10. It isn't Voltaire, but has its moments, especially the back-and-forth between Triumph and Blackwolf, the Dragonmaster, who (sadly, now) seems to be in on the joke).
Not everyone's cup of tea, but definitely R-rated. In other listening news, like Bruce McCullough, I've been finding the soundtrack to Shaft (by Isaac Hayes) very sexy indeed. Thanks to my pal Ajay for selling this to me at his garage sale.
May 18, 2004
Penn & Teller Rock!
Luckily, I'm too cheap to afford cable, but not a subscription to Netflix - luckily, I have been catching up on two of my faves, Penn and Teller, and their new show, Bull$h!+.
I'm a big P & T fan; I'm the only other person who's seen their movie, Penn & Teller Get Killed; saw them live at the then re-opened Chicago theater (featuring Mofo, the Psychic Gorilla), and just dig 'em. They uncover scams, bad science, and other stuff. It's half laugh-out-loud funny, and half serious "What in the name of Christ on a pony is going on here?"
My personal fave bit: a demonstration on how to "fake" chiropractic science on a cat. Now, that's what I want to do - my own show on cable. Anyone out there wanna be a cohost?
Gordon
I'm a big P & T fan; I'm the only other person who's seen their movie, Penn & Teller Get Killed; saw them live at the then re-opened Chicago theater (featuring Mofo, the Psychic Gorilla), and just dig 'em. They uncover scams, bad science, and other stuff. It's half laugh-out-loud funny, and half serious "What in the name of Christ on a pony is going on here?"
My personal fave bit: a demonstration on how to "fake" chiropractic science on a cat. Now, that's what I want to do - my own show on cable. Anyone out there wanna be a cohost?
Gordon
Random, Uncaffeinated Thoughts...
This is just part of my morning ritual - get some coffee, sign online, check e-mail, and rant...
Luckily, I keep a personal journal - that way, I don't inadvertantly embarrass myself, and can just dump into a plain ol' computer file.
Spoke with Mom last night- she and Shrek (aka, my dad) are going to Vegas, and she asked what I wanted. Fighting the temptation to say, "For you to regain your sanity," I opted for 1) a deck of cards from a casino; 2) something Star Trek from STAR TREK:
THE EXPERIENCE (as long as it wasn't Kate Mulgrew) or 3) 90% of her gambling winnings. (Of course, there's not much you can do with 90 cents). Hopefully, she'll have fun - she deserves it.
Finally, to add to my list of "projects that, maybe, one day, I'll get off my dead butt and get to" - revising my home page when I switch internet providers. There's something about it that says, "Sad fanboy". Please feel free to read and make comments. I could use the feedback
Luckily, I keep a personal journal - that way, I don't inadvertantly embarrass myself, and can just dump into a plain ol' computer file.
Spoke with Mom last night- she and Shrek (aka, my dad) are going to Vegas, and she asked what I wanted. Fighting the temptation to say, "For you to regain your sanity," I opted for 1) a deck of cards from a casino; 2) something Star Trek from STAR TREK:
THE EXPERIENCE (as long as it wasn't Kate Mulgrew) or 3) 90% of her gambling winnings. (Of course, there's not much you can do with 90 cents). Hopefully, she'll have fun - she deserves it.
Finally, to add to my list of "projects that, maybe, one day, I'll get off my dead butt and get to" - revising my home page when I switch internet providers. There's something about it that says, "Sad fanboy". Please feel free to read and make comments. I could use the feedback
May 17, 2004
No, it ain't cool...it ain't cool at all....
You know, sometimes, a guy can't win...
I am having a serious love/hate relationship with Ain't It Cool News! , the movie "spoiler"/news site. I'm sure that Harry Knowles has much more to worry about - after all, I bet people say dumb things to him like, "You realize your name sounds like a skin rash, doesn't it?" But anyway, his site...ooh, it's starting to bug me royally. What bugs me about it?
1) Hey, here's a lesson in Web Development 101 - even with DSL, your pages shouldn't take forever to download. Cut down the graphics, the ads, etc, and make sure we can get to the meat of it!
2) OK, this is a "Hello, pot, this is kettle" moment - guys, these are only frickin' movies. Tone it down on the message boards - or, at the very least,learn how to have a decent argument. Or, if you need a time out, visit that web site with the guy in the chicken suit - that should help calm you down.
3) You know, there is a thin line between discussing rumor and the "I heard from this guy who was the roommate of the cousin of the guy who glazed the donuts on the first Michael Keaton Batman movie" phenomenon. Learn the difference.
4) Is it just me, or did you find the series finale of THE PRACTICE ultra-mega-lame? I mean, having William Shatner say "Denny Crane" for the entire episode would have been much more entertaining, doncha think?
Come on, guys on Ain't It Cool - just these few things, and you can redeem yourselves. If not, so help me God, Ben Browder and I will come to your house to school you over and eat popcorn...and we're fresh outa popcorn.....
My apologies - I lost my mind for a moment. Now, if anyone knows someone who can send me Svengoolie tapes (both classic and the newest episodes) from Chicago, let me know. I'll even spring for good videotapes, not the cheapo dollar store ones.
Thanks for letting me share,
Your pal,
Gordon
I am having a serious love/hate relationship with Ain't It Cool News! , the movie "spoiler"/news site. I'm sure that Harry Knowles has much more to worry about - after all, I bet people say dumb things to him like, "You realize your name sounds like a skin rash, doesn't it?" But anyway, his site...ooh, it's starting to bug me royally. What bugs me about it?
1) Hey, here's a lesson in Web Development 101 - even with DSL, your pages shouldn't take forever to download. Cut down the graphics, the ads, etc, and make sure we can get to the meat of it!
2) OK, this is a "Hello, pot, this is kettle" moment - guys, these are only frickin' movies. Tone it down on the message boards - or, at the very least,learn how to have a decent argument. Or, if you need a time out, visit that web site with the guy in the chicken suit - that should help calm you down.
3) You know, there is a thin line between discussing rumor and the "I heard from this guy who was the roommate of the cousin of the guy who glazed the donuts on the first Michael Keaton Batman movie" phenomenon. Learn the difference.
4) Is it just me, or did you find the series finale of THE PRACTICE ultra-mega-lame? I mean, having William Shatner say "Denny Crane" for the entire episode would have been much more entertaining, doncha think?
Come on, guys on Ain't It Cool - just these few things, and you can redeem yourselves. If not, so help me God, Ben Browder and I will come to your house to school you over and eat popcorn...and we're fresh outa popcorn.....
My apologies - I lost my mind for a moment. Now, if anyone knows someone who can send me Svengoolie tapes (both classic and the newest episodes) from Chicago, let me know. I'll even spring for good videotapes, not the cheapo dollar store ones.
Thanks for letting me share,
Your pal,
Gordon
Politics & Whatnot
Just two things that I wanted to say, politically -
First, if you're conservative - or just like smart, political insight, then sign up for my pal Mark Kilmer's Right Sided Newsletter. Even if you're a dyed-in-the-wool liberal like me, it's great, entertaining reading.
Also, having finished acting as a stakeholder for Advance St. Louis, I wanted to make our recommendations available for anyone who wanted to read it. (Also, if I was a tool of "the man", I want to know where the heck is my kickback check! I need to buy my cat a new litter box, darnit!)
Thanks for letting me share,
Gordon
First, if you're conservative - or just like smart, political insight, then sign up for my pal Mark Kilmer's Right Sided Newsletter. Even if you're a dyed-in-the-wool liberal like me, it's great, entertaining reading.
Also, having finished acting as a stakeholder for Advance St. Louis, I wanted to make our recommendations available for anyone who wanted to read it. (Also, if I was a tool of "the man", I want to know where the heck is my kickback check! I need to buy my cat a new litter box, darnit!)
Thanks for letting me share,
Gordon
May 16, 2004
Two Extra-Large Movie Reviews
Recently, I was in Chicago and watched Ebert & Roeper, which does for movie reviews what Stalin did for family picnics. Anyway, in a blatant attempt to replace Mr. Roeper (which would give me a great excuse to fly to Chicago and visit my family on a regular basis), here are two movie reviews - one for a movie in general release, one for a DVD release - both are documentaries, but won't bore the heck out of you.
The first is Super Size Me, which is about the fast food industry and its impact on our health. It starts with a simple premise - the director will eat only McDonald's for 30 days, and sounds like something from Michael Moore's reject pile. However, this film makes some serious points, suggesting that the fast food industry engages in a "get-'em-while-they're-young" strategy, much like the tobacco industry. It's almost like a movie version of Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation, and is - almost ironically - a primer in addictions. (I defy you to watch the director partake in his dangerous diet and not flinch, or mentally talk back to the screen). This is definitely a must-see....
For a documentary of a different type, check out Gigantic, a documentary about They Might Be Giants. Unlike most rock documentaries, this doesn't reflect the rags-to-riches-to-drugs-to-comeback cycle. It's simply about two guys who enjoy making music - it's that simple. It's a great, entertaining film some really cool music...and the DVD is chock full of features. So many, in fact, that it justifies watching repeatedly...or just take the plunge and buy it - it's well worth seeing over and over, even if you're not a big TMBG fan.
Thanks for reading!
The first is Super Size Me, which is about the fast food industry and its impact on our health. It starts with a simple premise - the director will eat only McDonald's for 30 days, and sounds like something from Michael Moore's reject pile. However, this film makes some serious points, suggesting that the fast food industry engages in a "get-'em-while-they're-young" strategy, much like the tobacco industry. It's almost like a movie version of Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation, and is - almost ironically - a primer in addictions. (I defy you to watch the director partake in his dangerous diet and not flinch, or mentally talk back to the screen). This is definitely a must-see....
For a documentary of a different type, check out Gigantic, a documentary about They Might Be Giants. Unlike most rock documentaries, this doesn't reflect the rags-to-riches-to-drugs-to-comeback cycle. It's simply about two guys who enjoy making music - it's that simple. It's a great, entertaining film some really cool music...and the DVD is chock full of features. So many, in fact, that it justifies watching repeatedly...or just take the plunge and buy it - it's well worth seeing over and over, even if you're not a big TMBG fan.
Thanks for reading!
Welcome to my blog!
Hello, everyone -
This is one of my attempts to be a self-published, and to develop a 2nd (or even primary) career as a writer. Whether you've enjoyed my "Adventures in Maturity" in the Shrubbery, or my "Open Mikes" on the Prodigy Comedy Community and/or Aantares.com, this is a place for me to expound, maybe just post some random thoughts, and use as a site for inspiration.
If you want to share your ideas, or make suggestions, please feel free to do so. Thanks for coming!
Gordon
This is one of my attempts to be a self-published, and to develop a 2nd (or even primary) career as a writer. Whether you've enjoyed my "Adventures in Maturity" in the Shrubbery, or my "Open Mikes" on the Prodigy Comedy Community and/or Aantares.com, this is a place for me to expound, maybe just post some random thoughts, and use as a site for inspiration.
If you want to share your ideas, or make suggestions, please feel free to do so. Thanks for coming!
Gordon
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