As Things Are Calming Down.....

Hard to believe it's been two months since I moved into Mom's apartment.

Things have been...well, needlessly complicated. Have some freelance work, but always looking for me. (And one particular assignment is... when they dump a series of revisions at 5:00 pm on a Friday - on top of a huge Sunday deadline - it's not pleasant).

Still, things are settling down....Mom's getting better, and we're hoping that she comes home in June. (We were thinking May 31st, but there are some other complications. Nothing major, just another delay).

In that spirit, I'm heading back into writing and blogging for the time being. Taking it one step at a time....but also following a friend's advice.

I may start doing videos - after all, I need to use my smartphone for more than just phone calls and playing Doctor Who: Legacy.

So don't be surprised if you see more videos of me - or Pascha, Mom's cat - in the near future. Above is a brief sample. Enjoy!

What Do These People Have In Common?

And more importantly, what do they have in common with me?

Some Educational Videos on the Golden Age of Comics

Provided to help educate you - enjoy!

My Feelings About 2016 In YouTube Form

See if you can guess how this video applies to my feelings about 2016....


I am so glad it's over soon....

More Good Reasons for An Animated DOOM PATROL....

Things have been busy (will write more later this week), but for now, a follow-up to a past Doom Patrol post....






(No, I'm not forgetting any....there are only three videos in the series. Blame DC for wonky numbering)

Your Must-Watch Documentary About Australian Punk Rock

Seriously - Watch. This. Now.




You'll thank me later.

Your Labor Day Present

For your viewing pleasure: a charming comedy short film about iPhone navigation called The Big Day.

(Video link provided by Gold Cap Films, the makers of Never Say Macbeth and Desperate Acts of Magic)

Tonight's Nightmare Fuel

This 1990s-era Canadian public service announcement....scares me.

Seriously.

(Although cold beet soup is rather awesome)

Thursday Desk Dancing Party!

Because I've been busy and want to be sure this blog stays current.

Go, Watch. Now - QUATERMASS & THE PIT (Movie Version)

Remember, back in the day, when I challenged all of you to seek out the Hammer Films version of Quatermass & The Pit?

Well, I found it via YouTube. Watch before it's pulled.


P.S. Click this link for more Quatermass shenanigans on the blog.

If Anyone's Gonna Bring Sexy Back, It's Graham Chapman

Watch....and learn.

Cheapskate Film Festival: KING SOLOMON'S MINES

It's the kinda sorta Indiana Jones knockoff that's a rather fun watch....and that's a sneak preview of tomorrow's post.

 Via the glories of The Paramount Vault on YouTube - enjoy!

Your Terry Jones Video Moments of Zen

Taken back in 2009 - Terry Jones discussing aspects of Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Some Holiday Thoughts & Videos

As you can probably gather from my absence, things have been rather busy...but Mom's health issues will do that to me.

Things since October have been...a blur. A whirlwind of experiences which have helped me realized many key lessons...not unlike those learned by Ebenezer Scrooge, except without any supernatural influence.

First and foremost - I've learned that I can't do it all, and that pushing myself to the extreme can be very dangerous. The old adage is true...if I don't take care of myself, then I can't take care of anyone else.

(Another thing - some people will avoid accepting that I am not qualified to perform medicine despite my lack of training. Or in other words, why I don't tell my mother what she should do and/or spend 24 hours monitoring her every move).

A third thing - I have some great friends. Asking for face time has been helpful, if for no other reason than it's allowed me to open up somewhat about all of this. It's also going to make purging my Facebook friend list a lot easier.

Finally, as we enter Christmas, this whole experience has been a reminder of the small, practical miracles that happen every day. Thanks to modern technology, my mom has a small device implanted that maintains her heart rate. She's survived longer with a transplanted liver than anyone could expect. I've learned that the greatest Christmas gifts are those I receive every day.

Like YouTube videos. Enjoy!

Today's Thanksgiving

....and since I'll be AFK for dinner and Chicago TARDIS, some videos for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Your Monday COLUMBO Moment of Zen....

While I'm busy writing to complete some assignments - and in an effort to justify requesting a guest spot on the Just One More Thing podcast - here's a three-part documentary on Columbo via YouTube.

One note: it was placed on YouTube by somebody else. Someone other than the poster may own the copyright. If you're going to watch....watch all three parts now before they're pulled.

Thanks for reading, and trust me - more's coming!

Your Hassle-Free July 4th Fireworks Display

Given that today will see a ton of fireworks displays (and in my neighborhood, it usually means the smell of burnt gunpowder on the morning of July 5th), I thought I would provide some vicarious fireworks for those of you choosing to stay at home.

Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

Christopher Lee: The Blog THIS, Pal! Retrospective

Growing up, I consumed a lot of media...but especially movies.

Yes, I was one of those stay-up-until-the-crack-of-dawn types who sought out any kind of films of interest....but thankfully, my introduction to the work of Christopher Lee came with Svengoolie on Saturday afternoons.

Lee was - let's face it - the last of a breed of actor we're not going to see anymore. Charming, urbane, well-versed, and lively without seeming self-conscious.

Many have written better tributes than I could....so in memory of Mr. Lee, some of his film work via YouTube.

Watch these before they're pulled.

Your Bee Gees Documentary Moment of Zen

Personally, I believe that in the late 1960s, the Bee Gees invented what the kids today call 'the feels'.

No, I'm not posting this to be ironic - I think this documentary makes a similar claim. Enjoy!

The Ides of March - British Style

Normally, I've done rather lame jokes for the Ides of March, but here are two really cool video "celebrations" of this anti-holiday.

The first is Up Pompeii, a series I watched without my parents' approval. On before WTTW would show cheesy movies as part of its Summer Camp series, this show is....well, it's Benny Hill-ish without the slight twinkle:


Secondly, listen to the first hour of this video - it features Raffles, a character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's brother-in-law (no, really!), and it's titled "The Ides of March"....