Ask Gordon Anything - The Extension!

Remember when I encouraged all of you to ask me questions?

That was before I realized that I would be a bit busy with work search activities (and that I would need to promote this more), so you have until Sunday, September 6th to ask me anything.

E-mail me. Tweet me @gordondym. Reach out via Facebook. Leave a comment.

Thanks, and trust me - more blogging shenanigans are on their way!

Another Very Important Philosophical Question

Based on a recent Facebook conversation, I thought I would throw this out there: Who is cooler, more badass, and more morally upright?

Captain Mal Reynolds, or....

Secret Service Agent James West?

(No bonus points offered if you discuss the sublime genius of Artemus Gordon, but please don't let that stop you).

Last Chance to Ask Me Stuff!

Due to circumstances beyond my control (meaning, "I needed to sleep late and get rest"), my podcast will be recorded the weekend of July 4th.

Meaning - you still have time to ask me anything. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Thanks for your patience.

Two - Count 'Em, Two - Smart Guys Answer Your Questions

Yes, this is another reminder - I'll be recording a podcast at the end of the week, and so I'm more than willing to answer any questions you may have.

And if I can't, perhaps Roger - possibly the smartest blogger I know - will be of assistance in answering your queries.

Just send them our way, and we'll try to help.

Question Me On Stuff

Just a reminder - I'm planning on recording a listener-driven podcast later this month, so I'm asking for my blog readers (thanks, Roger!) to ask me questions about anything. No area too sensitive. You are more than welcome to ask me things such as

• What do you like to do when you have free time?
• How awesome are you? and
• If you and Mike Sterling teamed up and fought crime, would you invite Swamp Thing over for snack cakes? 

You still have a full week - more details on how to ask in last week's blog entry.

Trust me, it'll be fun.

Another Important Philosophical Question

Because the last time I asked a question like this, my website analytics went through the roof. In that spirit, I want to add a third factor, just to explore the implications.

Who is cooler - Captain Mal Reynolds:

Captain Jack Harkness:


Or John Crichton from Farscape:


As always, this is an open book test, and no criteria is off-limits. Enjoy!

Important Philosophical Question

While you are waiting for tomorrow's TV Party on Comic Related - as well as my Blog Action Post, please consider the following philosophical question. You will be graded.

Who is cooler - Captain Mal Reynolds:

or Captain Jack Harkness:


Discuss. This is an open book test, and spelling counts.

P.S. You can include "sexiness" as part of the criteria.

Hey Lord, Don't Ask Me Questions - The Reboot

Sorry for all the self-absorption: I promise more blogging objectivity in the future, but I thought I'd indulge this one time.

As many of you know, much like Roger and Mike Sterling, I often open my blog (or, more accurately, my podcast) to reader and pal questions. Sometimes I offer prizes, but this time, I'm offering the chance for you to learn a little something more about me. And maybe even have me crack jokes about your questions.

Here's the deal - I'm planning on recording a special answer podcast in mid-August. If you have a question you would like me to answer about anything - comics, Doctor Who, politics, or just for some old fashioned advice, please feel free to ask me before Saturday, August 15th
And there are so many ways you can submit questions, including

• good, old fashioned e-mail - just send to gordon@blogthispal.com
• DM or tweet me on Twitter (just add an #askthispal hashtag so I know it's a question)
• Record and e-mail me a file with your question
• Message me on Facebook
• Leave a comment on this post!

Don't worry - I'll be posting reminders. And for co-workers - you can't just approach my cubicle and ask me something out loud. You actually have to submit like everyone else.

So please, no question is too personal, embarrassing, or complex - ask away!

Announcing - Social Media A-Go-Go Contest!

As many of you know, I like to entertain member questions from time to time, either on the blog or via podcast. Mostly, it allows me to talk to my "readership" (which consists of mostly Chuck, Roger, and fellow Junk Fewd collaborator Andy procrastinating in his cubicle.) But since I'm planning on doing another similarly themed podcast for Thanksgiving weekend - and I have some cool schwag to give away - I thought, how about having a contest?.

But this isn't just another lame blog contest, oh no...since I work (and play) in a variety of social media, I thought, "Why not make it a challenge and invite all of my online friends to participate?" Or at the very least, encourage lurkers to move forward and start some interesting conversations. So, here's the contest in a nutshell:

• You, the reader, get to ask me a question - any question. Nothing is off limits. If you can say it out loud, you can ask.
• The challenge is - no e-mail. If you want to ask me a question, you do so via the social networks I participate in most frequently - comments for this blog, a post on your own blog (with a link to this particular post), Twitter (via direct message or #blogthispal), message or write on my Facebook wall, have a note forwarded via LinkedIn, or via MySpace (which I rarely use now, but hey, it's there)
• Questions will be judged on originality, and will be used in a podcast which will be recorded - and released - Thanksgiving weekend.

Prizes include:

• Sandman Mystery Theater: the Hourman and the Python trade paperback
• Family Guy: Volume 6 on DVD
• An "official" I Believe in Harvey Dent t-shirt (size medium) used to promote The Dark Knight
  
• Several mystery prizes; and
• For the worst/dumbest question - a very special prize which I will announce later.
• For Ms. Kari Byron (pictured at left) - the opportunity to enjoy drinks with the sexiest man in Chicago...namely, me.

And, now, some rules:

• You must be over 18 years of age to participate, and yes, I will ask for ID. Since I worked on tobacco and alcohol access for youth, I am able to tell a fake ID from a legitimate one.
• Employees of the place where I freelance and fellow Junk Fewd contributors are not eligible for prizes, although you're more than welcome to submit questions and/or socially bookmark this post.
• Clarification for Junk Fewder Andy - submitting a question does not mean either approaching my cubicle and/or shouting it across the office.
• If you belong to more than one social network, choose one to submit - so, for example, Roger is a Facebook pal and is also on Twitter. He can do Facebook or Twitter, but not both. (I won't, however, judge best Facebook question vs. best Twitter question - it's about the asking).
• One entry per person. (And I will follow up to get delivery information, so please don't worry about submitting your address with the submission)
  
• Deadline for question submissions is Wednesday, November 26th, at 4:30 pm CST (yes, it's been extended).
• By submitting an entry, you are consenting to having it being read, recorded, and included in a podcast
  

So if you're interest in learning more about me, you're a pal who has some burning thoughts, or your someone with too much time on your hands - please feel free to enter and help make social media more fun!

A Scary Halloween Podcast

Count Floyd
Originally uploaded by Gordon D

Hey, kids, it's your old pal Count Floyd here, host of Monster Chiller Horror Theater. Since Gordon is away worrying about his mom, he asked me to post a blog. Blog.....oh, that's a scary word. Scarier than Sterling in evil clown make up, or Roger in sandals. Just the thought of Roger with open toes....gives me the heebie jeebies.

Anyway, I'm introducing the podcast where Gordon answers questions of people who read his blog, and it's scary 'cause it's....unedited...with ums and ahs....and awkward pauses. Boy, that's just a little bit too intense for me. I'd better take a nap, it's so scary.

But while I'm here, I just want to wish you a very happy Halloween, don't eat too much candy....always wash behind your ears....

And now, here's our really scary movie, Dr. Tongue's 3-D House of Comic Books. Trust me, it will really make you...crawl into bed...with a teddy bear.


Click here to get your own player.

It's Audience Participation Time!

Ironside
Originally uploaded by Gordon D

As many of you know, I like to do an "audience participation" podcast, and answer reader questions. (And usually, it's the same reader who asks). However, I'm trying to reach those of you who have either been too shy...or would like to actually hear your question on the podcast.

So, please feel free to submit your questions to me by 10/18 (next Thursday), and I'll answer them in the next podcast. If you submit a sound file, I'll just drop it in the podcast.

The great advantage is that there are numerous ways to contact me, including:

• leaving a voice mail message at 206-203-3032 (long distance charges may apply)
• recording a WAV/MP3 file on Audacity and e-mailing it to blogthispal (at) gmail (dot) com
• Contacting me on Twitter, and
• Sending me an e-mail to blogthispal (at) gmail (dot) com

(Blogger's comments section - especially at this end - are kinda hit or miss for me. I'm not discriminating, just letting you guys know that if you do leave a question on the comments and I don't get to it, I apologize in advance).

Thanks, and always remember - file sharing is killing music. Just read and hear these examples of how Radiohead is doing just that.

A Podcast - for You!

As promised, here's a podcast for your listening pleasure - answers! A mini-comic rant! And, of course, how to get those nasty grape juice stains out of your white t-shirt.

(I'm kidding about the last point, but just a word - this podcast does contain some salty language, so you have been warned)


Click here to get your own player.

Father's Day Bits

sterlinglol
Originally uploaded by Gordon D

I have to admit, my mood hasn't been the most pleasant the past two weeks...mostly because June 5th would have been my father's birthday.

Hard to believe it's a year since he's passed, but in that spirit, I offer you - the reader - some random tidbits collected from the blogosphere.

• Like Tom and Kevin, I am hopping on the LOL Cats bandwagon. In fact, the picture on this post is a gift for Mike - go ahead and use freely, pal.
• There's still time to ask me the questions you would like me to podcast. Lefty and Roger were more than brave...and remember: it's open. Nothing off limits. You ask, I gotta answer.
  
• I probably should be more outraged at the "reveal" in New Avengers # 31 and/or the infamous Mary Jane zombie cover...but right now, it's just too difficult. At this point, it seems that Marvel doesn't even seem to care...which is sad. I'm not surprised, which makes me seem even more bitter and cynical. [Please note: I am not claiming that this cover is not offensive....only that, given Marvel's track record so far, it should not be surprising]
  
• I would probably also make an appropriately snarky comment about DC, with canceling Flash at issue 13 and possibly bringing back Barry Allen...but when Ragnell posts news like this, a small - but fleeting - feeling of hope burns in my heart. Thanks!
• (Well, to be honest, so did Birds of Prey # 107).
  
• RAB recently memed me to provide eight facts about myself....so I'll lazily link back to this post and add that, thanks to working at a treatment center, I won an autographed picture of Bill and Lois Wilson. Yes, that Bill and Lois.
• Although I think there's a noble goal involved, this is just nutty.
• Current guilty pleasure: The Next Big Thing. It's like American Idol on acid...although, quite honestly, I watch mostly due to my obsession around one person.
  

Thanks for reading, and always remember - a woodchuck could not chuck that much wood if a woodchuck could chuck wood.

Hokey Smoke! It's that time again!

mrknowitall1
Originally uploaded by Gordon D

That's right - given that I need something to podcast about, I am soliciting questions from you, the reader of this blog, and encourage you to ask your questions!

And if you're one of a lucky few, and come up with a good question, I will send you....some freebie that I pilfered from a health fair! Maybe it'll be a notebook, maybe a pen...who knows?

Also, you will get to hear your questions read out on a podcast - no area is off-limits! Whether it's general information or some embarrassing personal question, you can ask away, either by writing it in the comments or e-mailing it to me at blogthispal (at) gmail (dot) com by June 20th (or a week from Wednesday)!

Just a few minor rules:

• First, a limit of three questions per person. This includes you, Mr. Green
• You are welcome, if you have the technology, to e-mail me an mp3 of you asking your question aloud. Please. It will make it easier.
• You are also welcome to post this notice and spread the word on your regular blog, if you're lacking content.
  
• Again, nothing's out of bounds. Nothing.Got a question about comics? Ask. My personal grooming habits? Ask. Anything in between? Ask.
  

So, friends, you have a week - come up with something that will really stump me. Or, better yet, questions that sound funny when read out loud.

Thanks, and we now return you to our regular blog.

It's That Time Again....

Yes, friends, it's time once again to play "Just Ask Gordon!"

As you know, I like to answer questions from my loyal readers (the both of you), and am opening the old blog up for you to ask me anything. Anything at all.

Plus, as an extra special bonus - I will answer your questions live. That's right - I'll actually podcast the answers.

So, you have two ways of asking:

1) write your questions in the "comments" section, or (if Haloscan misbehaves):

2) e-mail them to me at blogthispal (at) gmail (dot) com [replacing the appropriate words with symbols].

Send me your questions by Monday, April 2nd, and I'll answer them - live!

Isn't that fun?

The Lefty Brown Experience

Well, this has been a busy week, especially since I'm considering a life-changing decision. However, in the meantime, Lefty has asked some questions that I feel a public obligation to answer.

How long will it be before Cheap Trick shows up in your "Records You Should Own"?
Early 2007. I'm trying to decide which disc to feature.

How good is Cheap Trick's new disc? It's gob-smackingly good. As good as their "classic" stuff.

Is it required that all Chicago-area residents love Cheap Trick (like New Jersians and Springsteen)? Personally, I have heard a lot of local bands play "Surrender", but Chicago hasn't really embraced Cheap Trick, which is technically from Rockford, Will Pfeiffer's hometown. Their loss.

Cheap Trick, the best rock band out of Chicago, or the greatest rock band out of Chicago? I would say yes. Especially since other bands that have come from Chicago - Urge Overkill, Smashing Pumpkins - can't lay a frickin' candle to Cheap Trick.