Just when I think Japan is done and in the past, something happens to trigger a flashback. We're talkin' an LSD induced style flashback.
Just the way it is today. So grey, so rainy, and then I walked into the post office.... Just one whiff of the air in the post office and suddenly I was in the Kumagaya central post office, sending postcards home.
I swear, the company probably slipped something in my food to trigger flashbacks like this, to inspire loyalty or something like that.
So have I mentioned that I've been watching a lot of The Lone Gunmen? I really, really, really liked that show. I just finished listening to all the running commentaries, and they actually made me feel screwed.
On several commentaries, they go, "Oh, man, there's some great cut scenes from this episode! Oh, those cut scenes were good!" One of the best episodes of the show involves the Gunmen having to infiltrate a tango contest, and on the running commentary, the writers say, "There's so many cut scenes from this episode that we were T-H-I-S C-L-O-S-E to making it a two-parter." In what turned out to be the final episode broadcast, they mention that there's a cut scene that finally explained the mysterious origin of Yves Adele Harlow and that it was completely different from the mysterious origin they gave her when they wrapped up all the Lone Gunmen loose ends on The X-Files. (Something that the fans always suspected, because the origin finally given in The X-Files seemed slighly out of synch with the hints that were dropped in The Lone Gunmen)
But, despite all this talk of great cut scenes, there are none on the DVD.
Oh, well. I guess we can consider it miraculous that we got this DVD at all, so I won't be picky. They even mention how it was an uphill battle to dedicate an episode of The X-Files to wrapping up the loose ends. What finally won them the battle was when they said, "Look, these were very popular characters on The X-Files before they had their own show, this is going to be their only appearance in the final season of X-Files, and we're going to kill them."
I have The Lone Gunmen on DVD. I've watched it a dozen times now. And I'm grateful to have it.
Today's trivial trivia from Wikipedia:
The three geographic regions that we've seen in the Pokemon cartoon (Kanto, Johto and Hoenn) are all modeled after geographic regions of Japan (the Kanto plains, the area around Mt. Fuji, and the island of Kyushu).
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Mr. Anderson told me once that we all have slight hints of personality disorders. Apparently, it's on a scale of one to 10. When you pass 6, that's when it becomes a problem.
I guess this explains my need to list and organize things.
Red/ Blue – The original games that started the phenomenon. You wander through the region of Kanto, trying to catch all the pokémon and battling your way to become the pokémon league champion. The big gimmick was that, although there were 150 pokemon, each game only had about 140. You want the remaining 10? Find someone with the other colour edition and trade.
Yellow – A special edition of Red/Blue. They added some new bells and whistles, and re-adjusted the game’s plot to more resemble the cartoon. Now, Pikachu is the pokémon you start your quest with, and Team Rocket occasionally shows up to be a pest. And, again, there’s only 140 pokemon in the game, so if you want the remaining 10, you’ve got trade with your friends you own Red and Blue.
Gold/ Silver – Nintendo introduced a new handheld system (GameBoy Color), meaning new pokémon games! Now, you continue your quest in the region of Johto, capturing all the pokémon to become Johto League Champion. 100 new pokémon were added, and again, only 90 are in the game. You get the other 10 by trading with your friend who’s got the other color. And, it was compatable with Red and Blue, meaning you can transfer over your 150 original pokémon, and get all 250!
Crystal – The “yellow” for the Gold and Silver set. Again, the plot of the Johto league games was updated to add more bells and whistles. The big new change? When you start the game, you select the gender of your on-screen counterpart. Now, female pokémon players no longer had to be transvestites! Boys can be boys and girls can be girls, and the boys are grateful for it.
Ruby/ Sapphire – New system (GameBoy Advance) means more new pokémon games! 100 new pokémon…now we’re in the region of Hoenn. Besides the usual gimmick of having to trade, the game also introdueced the pokémon beauty contest for those who don’t want to battle. Sadly, though, it wasn’t compatible with the older games, meaning you were starting fresh.
FireRed/LeafGreen – A lot of people didn’t like that they couldn’t transfer their old pokémon over to Ruby/Sapphire, so here was Nintendo’s solution. FireRed and LeafGreen are the original Red and Blue, only completely re-made and updated for the GameBoy Advance. Besides just remaking the originals, they also added all the new bells and whistles from the past few years (like being able to play as a girl). Fully compatible with Ruby and Sapphire. Oh, and as another gimmick, Nintendo bundled the new wireless multiplayer adaptor for Game Boy Advance with this.
Emerald – The “yellow/crystal” for the Ruby and Sapphire set. New bells and whistles…a modified plot…will naturally be a big seller.
Diamond/Pearl (rumoured names) – New handheld system (Nintendo DS) means new editions! Not much is known yet, just that it’ll be out for Christmas 2005.
I guess this explains my need to list and organize things.
Red/ Blue – The original games that started the phenomenon. You wander through the region of Kanto, trying to catch all the pokémon and battling your way to become the pokémon league champion. The big gimmick was that, although there were 150 pokemon, each game only had about 140. You want the remaining 10? Find someone with the other colour edition and trade.
Yellow – A special edition of Red/Blue. They added some new bells and whistles, and re-adjusted the game’s plot to more resemble the cartoon. Now, Pikachu is the pokémon you start your quest with, and Team Rocket occasionally shows up to be a pest. And, again, there’s only 140 pokemon in the game, so if you want the remaining 10, you’ve got trade with your friends you own Red and Blue.
Gold/ Silver – Nintendo introduced a new handheld system (GameBoy Color), meaning new pokémon games! Now, you continue your quest in the region of Johto, capturing all the pokémon to become Johto League Champion. 100 new pokémon were added, and again, only 90 are in the game. You get the other 10 by trading with your friend who’s got the other color. And, it was compatable with Red and Blue, meaning you can transfer over your 150 original pokémon, and get all 250!
Crystal – The “yellow” for the Gold and Silver set. Again, the plot of the Johto league games was updated to add more bells and whistles. The big new change? When you start the game, you select the gender of your on-screen counterpart. Now, female pokémon players no longer had to be transvestites! Boys can be boys and girls can be girls, and the boys are grateful for it.
Ruby/ Sapphire – New system (GameBoy Advance) means more new pokémon games! 100 new pokémon…now we’re in the region of Hoenn. Besides the usual gimmick of having to trade, the game also introdueced the pokémon beauty contest for those who don’t want to battle. Sadly, though, it wasn’t compatible with the older games, meaning you were starting fresh.
FireRed/LeafGreen – A lot of people didn’t like that they couldn’t transfer their old pokémon over to Ruby/Sapphire, so here was Nintendo’s solution. FireRed and LeafGreen are the original Red and Blue, only completely re-made and updated for the GameBoy Advance. Besides just remaking the originals, they also added all the new bells and whistles from the past few years (like being able to play as a girl). Fully compatible with Ruby and Sapphire. Oh, and as another gimmick, Nintendo bundled the new wireless multiplayer adaptor for Game Boy Advance with this.
Emerald – The “yellow/crystal” for the Ruby and Sapphire set. New bells and whistles…a modified plot…will naturally be a big seller.
Diamond/Pearl (rumoured names) – New handheld system (Nintendo DS) means new editions! Not much is known yet, just that it’ll be out for Christmas 2005.
Don't you hate it when your friends accidentally hit a nerve?
I was reading my morning movie news, and I stumbled upon a very negative, very spoiler filled review of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Now, I read the description of the review, and people are openly mocking this review. It was written by an obsessive fan who went through the book line-by-line, watched the movie, and just went insane with rage. Most of his critisisms, though, are along the lines of, "Oh, I can't believe they changed three words in this one dialogue! Argh! That really ruins the film!" Ultra-obsessive fanboy poop like that.
Anyway, I was sharing this with my friend Trouble, with which whom I am planning on seeing Hitchhiker's Guide as soon as it came out. I openly mused aloud as to weather I should read this review. "Well," she said, "seeing as to how you have never read the books, I would have to say no. And, because I have read the books, I can say right away that this movie is going to be bad."
*sigh*
Here comes the rant.
I HAVE READ THE BOOKS!!
Bought them as I was leaving the country. Read them in Japan. Read the first one twice. And because of the industry I'm in, I'm dying to hear the original BBC radio play that started the whole thing. I'm greatly looking forward to the movie. I'm what you'd call a "casual fan."
And, what upsets me the most, are all these people who are ready to hate it, just because they don't think it can properly be translated to the big screen.
Look, I'm sorry, but that's the nature of the medium. In order to get it on the big screen, they have to cut stuff. They have to change stuff. They have to hire Tom Cruise to star instead of that dreamboat you've spawned from your own imagination. IT HAS TO HAPPEN.
GIVE IT A CHANCE, PEOPLE!! Who knows? This new interpretation may add a different perspective you never thought of. The new material in the film - which was added by creator Douglas Adams before he passed away, by the way - may actually ENHANCE the story! GIVE IT A FREAKING CHANCE!! Don't go through the book line-by-line and tear it apart because they omitted a word. We came to like organic webshooters. We didn't cry at the loss of Tom Bombadil. GIVE THE FILM A CHANCE!!!
Although, I am kind of upset that they changed the beginning.
But this new beginning is being positivly received.
But we're losing sight of the important fact.
I HAVE READ THE BOOKS!
And in news of that other big sci-fi film coming....
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith has officially been given a PG-13 rating. Leave the young-uns at home! It's the most violent and darkest Star Wars ever!!
And I now know far more about it than I wanted to, having given into temptation and leafed through issue #1 of the comic adaptation when I glimpsed it on the newsstand.
Today's trivial triva gotten from reading Wikipedia:
The average woman owns 6 bras, one of which is strapless, and one of which is a colour other than white.
I was reading my morning movie news, and I stumbled upon a very negative, very spoiler filled review of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Now, I read the description of the review, and people are openly mocking this review. It was written by an obsessive fan who went through the book line-by-line, watched the movie, and just went insane with rage. Most of his critisisms, though, are along the lines of, "Oh, I can't believe they changed three words in this one dialogue! Argh! That really ruins the film!" Ultra-obsessive fanboy poop like that.
Anyway, I was sharing this with my friend Trouble, with which whom I am planning on seeing Hitchhiker's Guide as soon as it came out. I openly mused aloud as to weather I should read this review. "Well," she said, "seeing as to how you have never read the books, I would have to say no. And, because I have read the books, I can say right away that this movie is going to be bad."
*sigh*
Here comes the rant.
I HAVE READ THE BOOKS!!
Bought them as I was leaving the country. Read them in Japan. Read the first one twice. And because of the industry I'm in, I'm dying to hear the original BBC radio play that started the whole thing. I'm greatly looking forward to the movie. I'm what you'd call a "casual fan."
And, what upsets me the most, are all these people who are ready to hate it, just because they don't think it can properly be translated to the big screen.
Look, I'm sorry, but that's the nature of the medium. In order to get it on the big screen, they have to cut stuff. They have to change stuff. They have to hire Tom Cruise to star instead of that dreamboat you've spawned from your own imagination. IT HAS TO HAPPEN.
GIVE IT A CHANCE, PEOPLE!! Who knows? This new interpretation may add a different perspective you never thought of. The new material in the film - which was added by creator Douglas Adams before he passed away, by the way - may actually ENHANCE the story! GIVE IT A FREAKING CHANCE!! Don't go through the book line-by-line and tear it apart because they omitted a word. We came to like organic webshooters. We didn't cry at the loss of Tom Bombadil. GIVE THE FILM A CHANCE!!!
Although, I am kind of upset that they changed the beginning.
But this new beginning is being positivly received.
But we're losing sight of the important fact.
I HAVE READ THE BOOKS!
And in news of that other big sci-fi film coming....
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith has officially been given a PG-13 rating. Leave the young-uns at home! It's the most violent and darkest Star Wars ever!!
And I now know far more about it than I wanted to, having given into temptation and leafed through issue #1 of the comic adaptation when I glimpsed it on the newsstand.
Today's trivial triva gotten from reading Wikipedia:
The average woman owns 6 bras, one of which is strapless, and one of which is a colour other than white.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Latest column's up! This week, I Run for the Border:
"Now, you’re probably thinking that going to Saskatchewan is a massive endeavour, and so did I, until I realized how close Cold Lake is to the Saskatchewan border. I always forget how close I am until I look at a map. The lake of Cold Lake actually straddles the border between Alberta and Saskatchewan. Day trips to Lloydminister are common for the average Cold Lake resident. In fact, one of our radio station’s clients – the Pearceland Bingo Hall – is in Saskatchewan. As I returned from Glendon, I saw the sign on the highway: “Pearceland: 30 km.” When I hit Pearceland, I hit Saskatchewan. I took the turn and headed due east. I was Saskatchewan bound!"
Whole thing's right here
"Now, you’re probably thinking that going to Saskatchewan is a massive endeavour, and so did I, until I realized how close Cold Lake is to the Saskatchewan border. I always forget how close I am until I look at a map. The lake of Cold Lake actually straddles the border between Alberta and Saskatchewan. Day trips to Lloydminister are common for the average Cold Lake resident. In fact, one of our radio station’s clients – the Pearceland Bingo Hall – is in Saskatchewan. As I returned from Glendon, I saw the sign on the highway: “Pearceland: 30 km.” When I hit Pearceland, I hit Saskatchewan. I took the turn and headed due east. I was Saskatchewan bound!"
Whole thing's right here
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Well, we have another one to add to the list of "Pointless sequels that they really shouldn't make."
Garfield 2 is on the way!
20th Century Fox has just hired Tim Hill to direct. Hill directed the Disney comedy Max Keeble's Big Move and the last Muppet epic Muppets from Space. He was also one of the writers on The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.
20th Century Fox has also announced a release date of July 28, 2006.
Now, I haven't seen Garfield yet, but my sister went to see it as soon as it came out. When she was a kid, she was nuts for all things Garfield. She owned darn near every book. She obsessivly watched the cartoon, Garfield and Friends, every Saturday morning. She had all variety of Garfiled stuffed toys. And, in one of the sweetest deals ever in the history of parent/child relations, she suckered my parents into buying her the complete set of Garfield collector's plates from the Hamilton Mint. She seems to have become a well-adjust adult, but for Chrismtas 2 years ago, I gave her the Garfield 25th anniversay coffee table book, entitled Garfield at 25: In Dog Years, I'd Be Dead By Now, and she totally geeked out over it.
She hated the Garfield movie. Absolutly hated it.
Man, I've got to see it if only to see if it really is that bad.
I reproted a few days ago about the special Terry Fox Commemorative Loonie. As such, I've been hanging out at the official Royal Canadian Mint website. I'm still sad that I haven't gotten one of those Poppy Quarters that came out back at Rememberance Day. But, at the Mint website, I can buy a whole roll for $14.
And I find that odd, seeing as to how a roll of quarters only holds $10 worth. The extra $4 must be shipping and handling.
Oh, and don't forget to swing my the official Royal Canadian Mint website and vote on the final design for the Alberta centennial commemorative quarter, due out this fall!
Garfield 2 is on the way!
20th Century Fox has just hired Tim Hill to direct. Hill directed the Disney comedy Max Keeble's Big Move and the last Muppet epic Muppets from Space. He was also one of the writers on The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.
20th Century Fox has also announced a release date of July 28, 2006.
Now, I haven't seen Garfield yet, but my sister went to see it as soon as it came out. When she was a kid, she was nuts for all things Garfield. She owned darn near every book. She obsessivly watched the cartoon, Garfield and Friends, every Saturday morning. She had all variety of Garfiled stuffed toys. And, in one of the sweetest deals ever in the history of parent/child relations, she suckered my parents into buying her the complete set of Garfield collector's plates from the Hamilton Mint. She seems to have become a well-adjust adult, but for Chrismtas 2 years ago, I gave her the Garfield 25th anniversay coffee table book, entitled Garfield at 25: In Dog Years, I'd Be Dead By Now, and she totally geeked out over it.
She hated the Garfield movie. Absolutly hated it.
Man, I've got to see it if only to see if it really is that bad.
I reproted a few days ago about the special Terry Fox Commemorative Loonie. As such, I've been hanging out at the official Royal Canadian Mint website. I'm still sad that I haven't gotten one of those Poppy Quarters that came out back at Rememberance Day. But, at the Mint website, I can buy a whole roll for $14.
And I find that odd, seeing as to how a roll of quarters only holds $10 worth. The extra $4 must be shipping and handling.
Oh, and don't forget to swing my the official Royal Canadian Mint website and vote on the final design for the Alberta centennial commemorative quarter, due out this fall!
Friday, April 08, 2005
(a montage of historical footage plays.)
Jimmy Bond (vo): Heroes. Once in a great while, they come along when we need them the most. Like...President Churchill, who won World War II. And Ghandi, peaceful leader of the Indians. Or, as we know them, native Americans. The thing about heroes is, you can never quite tell where the next crop will come from, and you don't always recognize them at first site.
(We enter a junior high classroom, with the caption "Sterling, Virginia. 1974." the kids are giving speeches before the class.)
Little girl: When I grow up, I wanna be a singer, just like Dolly Parton. I wanna be rich and famous (makes universal gesture for breasts) and have big....
(Cut to next kid)
Little boy: When I grow up, I wanna be a star quarterback for the Redskins, and be rich and famous.
(Cut to next kid)
Little girl 2: Rich and famous.
(Cut to next kid)
Little boy 2: Famous and, uh....
(Cut to a clean cut boy in a suit)
Young Byers: When I grow up, I wanna be a career bureaucrat with the federal government. I wanna help as many people as I can, and work hard to spread democracy throughout the world.
(We freeze on this boy. The caption appears)
John Fitzgerald Byers: Idealist
(cut to farm, a barn full of cows. There's a junior high aged boy in the back working on a computer. The caption reads "Saltville, Nebraska. 1982.")
Farmer: Ringo! You were supposed to be milking. I told you, typing is for secretaries. That damn fool toy is going on the junkpile.
Young Langly: Let me tell you something about this "damn fool toy," Dad. This damn fool toy is going to change everything...from the way people do business...to the way we communicate. This damn fool toy is the future. And you know what else? By the year 2000, when I've made millions of dollars off this "damn fool toy," we'll all eat food pills, like on Star Trek. And we won't need cows anymore.
(Cows moo, pass gas, the boy is repulsed. We freeze on this boy. The caption appears.)
Richard "Ringo" Langly: Computer God
(cut to a high school. The graphic reads "Pontiac, Michigan. 1967." Captain of the football team is walking across the school parking lot with three team mates. The captain is tackled and pinned to the ground by a shrimpy nerd.)
Young Frohike: SAY IT!! Say it!!
Football captain: The Cutlass 442 is faster than the Belvedere GTX, alright?
Young Frohike: Damn straight! Some captain of the football team you are.
(shrimpy nerd allows the football captain to stand up. Football captain composes himself.)
Football captain: You're a shrimp. You'll always be a shrimp. Shrimp. What do you have to say about that?
Young Frohike: I think big, see? Bigger than you. I'm going to do big things, and then I'm gonna write about them. People will hang on my every word. Yeah. I'll be a crusading publisher, and make the world a better place, like...like...like Hugh Hefner! Yeah.
(shrimpy nerd glances over at two hot schoolgirls, makes classic "Oh, I know you want me" face. Schoolgirls ignore him. We freeze on the shrimpy nerd. the caption appears.)
Melvin Frohike: Man of Action
(The three boys appear together. We cut to their grown-up selves, and who they are now: The Lone Gunmen.)
Jimmy Bond (vo): Three heroes. Three seperate paths leading to one shared destiny. To change the world. To make history. Today's the day it happens.
And thus begins my favourite episode of The Lone Gunmen!
I'm so glad the DVD came in the mail today. Guess what I'm doing this weekend?
I've already watched some of the bonus material on the discs, and I must say, I'm heartbroken. Britsh-born Zuleikha Robinson, who played Yves Adele Harlow (the Lone Gunmen's occasional nemesis/occassional ally) had one of the sexiest British accents in the history of British accents. But, she's obviously been in Hollywood too long, cuz in the recently-recorded interviews, her accent has almost faded away completely.
"Nothing makes a girl sexier than a foreign accent." That was told to me by one of my few buddies in high school. He told me that as justification for his tendency to fall in love with every exchange student.
Jimmy Bond (vo): Heroes. Once in a great while, they come along when we need them the most. Like...President Churchill, who won World War II. And Ghandi, peaceful leader of the Indians. Or, as we know them, native Americans. The thing about heroes is, you can never quite tell where the next crop will come from, and you don't always recognize them at first site.
(We enter a junior high classroom, with the caption "Sterling, Virginia. 1974." the kids are giving speeches before the class.)
Little girl: When I grow up, I wanna be a singer, just like Dolly Parton. I wanna be rich and famous (makes universal gesture for breasts) and have big....
(Cut to next kid)
Little boy: When I grow up, I wanna be a star quarterback for the Redskins, and be rich and famous.
(Cut to next kid)
Little girl 2: Rich and famous.
(Cut to next kid)
Little boy 2: Famous and, uh....
(Cut to a clean cut boy in a suit)
Young Byers: When I grow up, I wanna be a career bureaucrat with the federal government. I wanna help as many people as I can, and work hard to spread democracy throughout the world.
(We freeze on this boy. The caption appears)
John Fitzgerald Byers: Idealist
(cut to farm, a barn full of cows. There's a junior high aged boy in the back working on a computer. The caption reads "Saltville, Nebraska. 1982.")
Farmer: Ringo! You were supposed to be milking. I told you, typing is for secretaries. That damn fool toy is going on the junkpile.
Young Langly: Let me tell you something about this "damn fool toy," Dad. This damn fool toy is going to change everything...from the way people do business...to the way we communicate. This damn fool toy is the future. And you know what else? By the year 2000, when I've made millions of dollars off this "damn fool toy," we'll all eat food pills, like on Star Trek. And we won't need cows anymore.
(Cows moo, pass gas, the boy is repulsed. We freeze on this boy. The caption appears.)
Richard "Ringo" Langly: Computer God
(cut to a high school. The graphic reads "Pontiac, Michigan. 1967." Captain of the football team is walking across the school parking lot with three team mates. The captain is tackled and pinned to the ground by a shrimpy nerd.)
Young Frohike: SAY IT!! Say it!!
Football captain: The Cutlass 442 is faster than the Belvedere GTX, alright?
Young Frohike: Damn straight! Some captain of the football team you are.
(shrimpy nerd allows the football captain to stand up. Football captain composes himself.)
Football captain: You're a shrimp. You'll always be a shrimp. Shrimp. What do you have to say about that?
Young Frohike: I think big, see? Bigger than you. I'm going to do big things, and then I'm gonna write about them. People will hang on my every word. Yeah. I'll be a crusading publisher, and make the world a better place, like...like...like Hugh Hefner! Yeah.
(shrimpy nerd glances over at two hot schoolgirls, makes classic "Oh, I know you want me" face. Schoolgirls ignore him. We freeze on the shrimpy nerd. the caption appears.)
Melvin Frohike: Man of Action
(The three boys appear together. We cut to their grown-up selves, and who they are now: The Lone Gunmen.)
Jimmy Bond (vo): Three heroes. Three seperate paths leading to one shared destiny. To change the world. To make history. Today's the day it happens.
And thus begins my favourite episode of The Lone Gunmen!
I'm so glad the DVD came in the mail today. Guess what I'm doing this weekend?
I've already watched some of the bonus material on the discs, and I must say, I'm heartbroken. Britsh-born Zuleikha Robinson, who played Yves Adele Harlow (the Lone Gunmen's occasional nemesis/occassional ally) had one of the sexiest British accents in the history of British accents. But, she's obviously been in Hollywood too long, cuz in the recently-recorded interviews, her accent has almost faded away completely.
"Nothing makes a girl sexier than a foreign accent." That was told to me by one of my few buddies in high school. He told me that as justification for his tendency to fall in love with every exchange student.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
How come I knew this was going to happen?
Last week, 20th Century Fox released one of my most-anticipated DVDs:
The Lone Gunmen: the Complete Series. But, as I ran around to
all of Cold Lake's DVD retailers, no one had it. I shrugged my
shoulders in disgust and bought it online.
Anyway, here we are, 10 days later. I'm wandering about the town on
my evening constitutional, when I pop in to one of Cold Lake's
department stores. And what's finally on the shelf but The Lone
Gunmen: the Complete Series?
And for significantly less than what I paid online.
It should be arriving in the mail tomorrow
Just did my annual ritual that always brings a tear to my eye.
I deleted my old e-mail.
Yup, I'm a horrible pacrat. Any e-mail you send me, I'll hold on to
it for about a year. Then, every spring, I sit down and I delete
everything. In fact, I haven't done it since I got this laptop in
November 2003, so I was about six months overdue.
I don't delete everything, though. I still get the occasional one
that's rather emotional and worthy of saving, so I save it to a
special directory on my hard drive. It's the digital equivalent of a
shoebox under the bed. That shoebox is getting quite full, actually.
Yves (that would be my best friend's
girl) sent me one 5 years ago that still makes me cry.
But anyway, let's talk about my best
friend. I think I've mused aloud many times before how I'm just
plain flabbergasted at how he puts up with me. I mean, reviewing a
year's worth of e-mail I sent to him...it's a lot of angst-ridden,
over-emotional junior high shit that I should have outgrown a long
time ago. And I'm sure it was *very* important when I wrote it and
sent it. But as I review it...god, what was I on?
I still had his very last text messages from when he was cycling
across Japan. Why did I hang onto that for so long? "I see Tokyo
Tower on the horizon! My odomoter says 1200-km! I did it!"
but I really liked the more recent ones from him. See, he's an
artist. And, when he stumbles across something artistic he likes,
he'll bury himself in it, learn all there is to learn about it, and
eventually walk away saying, "I can do that too." And he will do it.
And it will be the best damn thing that field of art has ever seen.
When it comes to artistic endeavours, he's just so damn good at
everything he does, because he takes the time to learn everything
about what he's doing.
Now, here I am, in radio, and doing some audio production. It's got
to be the first time that I've found an artistic medium where I know
more than him. I don't know a lot more than him, but for the time
being, it's enough. And I try not to get cocky, because I know that
if he ever got serious about it, he'd learn Adobe Audition inside out
and backwards and give me a run for my money. But that day has not
come yet.
So, until that day, I enjoy sending him some of my latest audio works
to get an outsider's opinion. I really enjoyed doing it in school
last semester, when I was free to experiment and try crazy stuff.
And I always, always, ALWAYS smile when my best friend - the guy who
knows damn near everything about everything artistic - uses
superlatives to describe MY works.
And that smile sticks around for a week when he asks, "How did you do that?"
Those go in the digital shoebox.
Last week, 20th Century Fox released one of my most-anticipated DVDs:
The Lone Gunmen: the Complete Series. But, as I ran around to
all of Cold Lake's DVD retailers, no one had it. I shrugged my
shoulders in disgust and bought it online.
Anyway, here we are, 10 days later. I'm wandering about the town on
my evening constitutional, when I pop in to one of Cold Lake's
department stores. And what's finally on the shelf but The Lone
Gunmen: the Complete Series?
And for significantly less than what I paid online.
It should be arriving in the mail tomorrow
Just did my annual ritual that always brings a tear to my eye.
I deleted my old e-mail.
Yup, I'm a horrible pacrat. Any e-mail you send me, I'll hold on to
it for about a year. Then, every spring, I sit down and I delete
everything. In fact, I haven't done it since I got this laptop in
November 2003, so I was about six months overdue.
I don't delete everything, though. I still get the occasional one
that's rather emotional and worthy of saving, so I save it to a
special directory on my hard drive. It's the digital equivalent of a
shoebox under the bed. That shoebox is getting quite full, actually.
Yves (that would be my best friend's
girl) sent me one 5 years ago that still makes me cry.
But anyway, let's talk about my best
friend. I think I've mused aloud many times before how I'm just
plain flabbergasted at how he puts up with me. I mean, reviewing a
year's worth of e-mail I sent to him...it's a lot of angst-ridden,
over-emotional junior high shit that I should have outgrown a long
time ago. And I'm sure it was *very* important when I wrote it and
sent it. But as I review it...god, what was I on?
I still had his very last text messages from when he was cycling
across Japan. Why did I hang onto that for so long? "I see Tokyo
Tower on the horizon! My odomoter says 1200-km! I did it!"
but I really liked the more recent ones from him. See, he's an
artist. And, when he stumbles across something artistic he likes,
he'll bury himself in it, learn all there is to learn about it, and
eventually walk away saying, "I can do that too." And he will do it.
And it will be the best damn thing that field of art has ever seen.
When it comes to artistic endeavours, he's just so damn good at
everything he does, because he takes the time to learn everything
about what he's doing.
Now, here I am, in radio, and doing some audio production. It's got
to be the first time that I've found an artistic medium where I know
more than him. I don't know a lot more than him, but for the time
being, it's enough. And I try not to get cocky, because I know that
if he ever got serious about it, he'd learn Adobe Audition inside out
and backwards and give me a run for my money. But that day has not
come yet.
So, until that day, I enjoy sending him some of my latest audio works
to get an outsider's opinion. I really enjoyed doing it in school
last semester, when I was free to experiment and try crazy stuff.
And I always, always, ALWAYS smile when my best friend - the guy who
knows damn near everything about everything artistic - uses
superlatives to describe MY works.
And that smile sticks around for a week when he asks, "How did you do that?"
Those go in the digital shoebox.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
I'm really going to miss that free movie pass from work.
Borrowed it tonight to watch what'll most likely be the last movie I use it for: Sin City.
Oh.
My.
Goid.
That movie was..where to begin? It was so over the top! With the gore and the violence and the hookers wearing nothing but very little black leather going nuts with machine guns.... But the dialogue especially! It was about 2 steps away from being cheezy.
Don't get me wrong. I say that in the highest respect. It rocked my feeble clerk world.
I thought it was a very good movie. Although, I am wondering now. What did Frank Miller do first: Sin City or Batman: The Dark Knight Returns? When Hartigan (Bruce Willis) constantly curses himself and calls himself a "foolish old man," it reminded me of the 50+ Batman. Oh, well. That's just one of two minor quibbles.
The second one is I'm not quite a fan of this "digital backlot" concept yet. In case you didn't know, not one set was built for Sin City. All the backgrounds were rendered in computers. And it all looked a little too clean and computerized in some places.
Other than that, I loved it!
3 nibs.
Hey, did you know this? The Royal Canadian Mint released a special Terry Fox commemorative loonie back on Monday. The first time ever a Canadian has been on a Canadian coin. Watch your pocket change!
Oh, and if you like, you can swing by The Royal Canadian Mint Website and order a free collector's card to display your Terry Fox loonie when you get one.
Borrowed it tonight to watch what'll most likely be the last movie I use it for: Sin City.
Oh.
My.
Goid.
That movie was..where to begin? It was so over the top! With the gore and the violence and the hookers wearing nothing but very little black leather going nuts with machine guns.... But the dialogue especially! It was about 2 steps away from being cheezy.
Don't get me wrong. I say that in the highest respect. It rocked my feeble clerk world.
I thought it was a very good movie. Although, I am wondering now. What did Frank Miller do first: Sin City or Batman: The Dark Knight Returns? When Hartigan (Bruce Willis) constantly curses himself and calls himself a "foolish old man," it reminded me of the 50+ Batman. Oh, well. That's just one of two minor quibbles.
The second one is I'm not quite a fan of this "digital backlot" concept yet. In case you didn't know, not one set was built for Sin City. All the backgrounds were rendered in computers. And it all looked a little too clean and computerized in some places.
Other than that, I loved it!
3 nibs.
Hey, did you know this? The Royal Canadian Mint released a special Terry Fox commemorative loonie back on Monday. The first time ever a Canadian has been on a Canadian coin. Watch your pocket change!
Oh, and if you like, you can swing by The Royal Canadian Mint Website and order a free collector's card to display your Terry Fox loonie when you get one.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
I will admit, I'm kind of going to miss having the nation's largest air force base for a next door neighbour. Right now, I can hear the engines on the CF-18s revving up. And it is *LOUD*. And the base has to be a good 3 km away.
While on my evening walk, I had to stop in and browse through a liquor store. Yes, you heard me right. Even though I don't drink, liquor stores fascinate me so. The different shaped bottles...the mutli-coloured fluids...fascinating. For about 5 years now I've been wanting to write a column about this fascination. I've even got a perfect quote to start it off. It's from the Dahli Lama: "I go to shopping centres in the way that people go to museums." That's me and liquor stores.
Anyway, this column idea is on the top of my short list of "columns I'm not going to write unless I know that the finished product will be really, really good." But, silly me. I keep thinking I need to be on a hot streak of brilliant creative energy for it to be good, hence the five year wait. But the reality is I just need to carefully plan it out and do multiple drafts - writing techniques I abandoned in university.
On my evening walk, I even stopped in at the local department stores. The onslaught of Episode III merchandise is in full swing. They just put out the Episode III board games. You can now play Star Wars Risk, where the countries are replaced with Star Wars planets and the armies are now made of Clone Troopers, Jedi Knights, and Battle Droids.
And, there's always Star Wars Monopoly. Yes, they already made that, but this version is new and different. The original version only stuck to the original trilogy. This new version features elements from all 6 films.
I wish I had more friends who lived closer. I miss playing board games.
While on my evening walk, I had to stop in and browse through a liquor store. Yes, you heard me right. Even though I don't drink, liquor stores fascinate me so. The different shaped bottles...the mutli-coloured fluids...fascinating. For about 5 years now I've been wanting to write a column about this fascination. I've even got a perfect quote to start it off. It's from the Dahli Lama: "I go to shopping centres in the way that people go to museums." That's me and liquor stores.
Anyway, this column idea is on the top of my short list of "columns I'm not going to write unless I know that the finished product will be really, really good." But, silly me. I keep thinking I need to be on a hot streak of brilliant creative energy for it to be good, hence the five year wait. But the reality is I just need to carefully plan it out and do multiple drafts - writing techniques I abandoned in university.
On my evening walk, I even stopped in at the local department stores. The onslaught of Episode III merchandise is in full swing. They just put out the Episode III board games. You can now play Star Wars Risk, where the countries are replaced with Star Wars planets and the armies are now made of Clone Troopers, Jedi Knights, and Battle Droids.
And, there's always Star Wars Monopoly. Yes, they already made that, but this version is new and different. The original version only stuck to the original trilogy. This new version features elements from all 6 films.
I wish I had more friends who lived closer. I miss playing board games.
Had a sub at Mr. Sub the other day. I really should eat at Mr. Sub more than Subway. Buy Canadian and all that. Besides, after reading the book Fast Food Nation and learning about Subway's business practices, doesn't sound like the kind of place a guy should eat.
Anyway, Mr. Sub rocks. It IS purely Canadian, right down to the maple glazed ham and Montreal-style corned beef.
But I'm straying off topic.
At Mr. Sub, you can get a cup of soup under the cute name "Mrs. Soup." So...I started wondering. How does Mr. Soup feel abou this? His wife, fooling around with Mr. Sub? This could turn into the Jerry Springer Show of fast food outlets.
I say right now we start a petition to get Mr. Sub to dump Mrs. Soup and hook-up with the single and free-spirited Ms. Soup.
Unless Mr. Sub and Mrs. Soup ARE married, and Mrs. Soup simply kept her name.
I need more info.
Hey! Speak of the devil, it's the official Mr. Sub website!
Anyway, Mr. Sub rocks. It IS purely Canadian, right down to the maple glazed ham and Montreal-style corned beef.
But I'm straying off topic.
At Mr. Sub, you can get a cup of soup under the cute name "Mrs. Soup." So...I started wondering. How does Mr. Soup feel abou this? His wife, fooling around with Mr. Sub? This could turn into the Jerry Springer Show of fast food outlets.
I say right now we start a petition to get Mr. Sub to dump Mrs. Soup and hook-up with the single and free-spirited Ms. Soup.
Unless Mr. Sub and Mrs. Soup ARE married, and Mrs. Soup simply kept her name.
I need more info.
Hey! Speak of the devil, it's the official Mr. Sub website!
Monday, April 04, 2005
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Latest column's up! This week, I experience Frustation & Disappointment:
"Things were not going as planned. I sat and stared at my computer screen as power mysteriously stopped. Once again, my laptop had shut itself down halfway through a virus scan. This was the seventh time in as many weeks. Throw into that a general shitty week, followed by a weekend of introspection and the general grumbling of how I’m not where I intended to be in my life. I stared at the four bare walls of my apartment. I knew that if I didn’t get out, and soon, I would go mad. In previous years, I would go for a walk around the block or ride my bike aimlessly around town. But now, I have a car. With a full tank of gas. I jumped behind the wheel and set off down the road. I tried to fool myself by telling myself I had no idea where I was going, but I knew."
As always, here's the whole thing.
What I wanted to do today: Write the long-awaited part 2 of my Studio Ghibli trip, spurce up the resume, write cover letters, and get a whole stack of applications ready to mail out tomorrow.
Of course, I got none of this done.
I am a horrible, horrible person. I am going straight to unemployed hell, "where I'll do what all unemployed people do - write a book!"
One of my new favourite time-wasters if the online encyclopedia Wikipedia. It's full of useless information. Like this one....
Next time your ultra-conservative friend is bitching that there's been no Prime Ministers from the west, you can tell him/her to shut the hell up, because we've had
eight! They were:
Sir John A. MacDonald (spent one term as the MP from Victoria, BC)
Arther Meighen (Portage La Prarie, Manitoba)
William Lyon McKenzie King (spent 1/3 his reign as the MP from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan)
Richard Bennet (Calgary West)
John Diefenbaker (Prince Albert, Saskatchewan)
Joe Clark (Yellowhead, Alberta)
John Turner (Vancouver Quadra, BC)
Kim Campbell (Vancouver Centre, BC)
Granted, your friend will probably bitch that 8 out of 21 isn't enough.
"Things were not going as planned. I sat and stared at my computer screen as power mysteriously stopped. Once again, my laptop had shut itself down halfway through a virus scan. This was the seventh time in as many weeks. Throw into that a general shitty week, followed by a weekend of introspection and the general grumbling of how I’m not where I intended to be in my life. I stared at the four bare walls of my apartment. I knew that if I didn’t get out, and soon, I would go mad. In previous years, I would go for a walk around the block or ride my bike aimlessly around town. But now, I have a car. With a full tank of gas. I jumped behind the wheel and set off down the road. I tried to fool myself by telling myself I had no idea where I was going, but I knew."
As always, here's the whole thing.
What I wanted to do today: Write the long-awaited part 2 of my Studio Ghibli trip, spurce up the resume, write cover letters, and get a whole stack of applications ready to mail out tomorrow.
Of course, I got none of this done.
I am a horrible, horrible person. I am going straight to unemployed hell, "where I'll do what all unemployed people do - write a book!"
One of my new favourite time-wasters if the online encyclopedia Wikipedia. It's full of useless information. Like this one....
Next time your ultra-conservative friend is bitching that there's been no Prime Ministers from the west, you can tell him/her to shut the hell up, because we've had
eight! They were:
Sir John A. MacDonald (spent one term as the MP from Victoria, BC)
Arther Meighen (Portage La Prarie, Manitoba)
William Lyon McKenzie King (spent 1/3 his reign as the MP from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan)
Richard Bennet (Calgary West)
John Diefenbaker (Prince Albert, Saskatchewan)
Joe Clark (Yellowhead, Alberta)
John Turner (Vancouver Quadra, BC)
Kim Campbell (Vancouver Centre, BC)
Granted, your friend will probably bitch that 8 out of 21 isn't enough.
Pope died.
True, I'm not a very religous man, but still, one can't help but be fascinated by all this. I'm sure that the influence of John Paul II will be debated for years to come, but one thing's for certain: he had an impact.
Finally made it to St. Paul today. The UFO landing pad really is a symbol of...faded elegance. It's showing it's age, some of the concrete is chipped away, but there's still a little something about it that makes you go "Huh. Cool."
I'm certian I've seen it once before. I have fuzzy memories of driving past it when I was a kid.
But, what was new since last time, is the UFO-shaped gift shop/tourist information centre right next door. I wandered over to it to take a look. It was closed for the season, but a lowly clerk let me in to have a look around. Now, with hospitality like that, how could I not buy chinzy souvineers? Everyone's got a UFO landing pad postcard comin' in the mail.
Then I wandered down St. Paul's main street. Buried deep in the back of the Value Drug Mart, I found some "historical artifact" postcards. They were pics of the UFO landing pad BEFORE the gift shop/tourist info booth was built. It's been minorly modified over the years. The most glaring change is how it's connection to the Canadian Centennial is now being downplayed. (The pad was originally a Centennial project for St. Paul.) It used to be adorned the with the coat-of-arms of Alberta and the emblem of the Canadian Centennial, but now, only the Alberta coat-of-arms remains.
Anyway, the St. Paul UFO Landing Pad is truly an OG of roadside attractions.
Took a cruise around town today to check out the rest of the Episode III figures now on sale. I found more Darth Vaders. I really, really, REALLY want an Episode III Darth Vader. Usually, I don't buy duplicates of figures I already have. (Finally got my hands on a Darth Vader from Return of the Jedi back in the fall.) But this is the Episode III Vader! This is first appearance Vader! I'm conflicted.
I'm also strangely drawn to the pregnant Amidala figure. That's bizzare. Maybe it's because it's the first pregnant action figure I've ever seen. The only thing is the sculpt on it is horrible. Hardly looks like Natalie Portman. Well, it does look kind of like Natalie Portman...if Natalie Portman became a chain-smoking, bar floozie. Hmmm.... Maybe, in Episode III, Amidala DOES become a chain-smoking, bar floozie. Maybe that's how she coped with Anakin's long time away fighting in the Clone Wars. Just a thought.
But then, I should show a little more self-control. I really went crazy buying action figures in the past month. In the past 30 days, I bought: Batgirl Barbie, Supergirl Barbie, Herbie the Love Bug, Marvel Legends Elektra, Marvel Legends Dark Phoenix, Anakin, and Palpatine. That's a big month. I gotta slow down a bit.
"the Difference is the Music in the Air." Don't let me forget that. That's the genesis of a brilliant column.
True, I'm not a very religous man, but still, one can't help but be fascinated by all this. I'm sure that the influence of John Paul II will be debated for years to come, but one thing's for certain: he had an impact.
Finally made it to St. Paul today. The UFO landing pad really is a symbol of...faded elegance. It's showing it's age, some of the concrete is chipped away, but there's still a little something about it that makes you go "Huh. Cool."
I'm certian I've seen it once before. I have fuzzy memories of driving past it when I was a kid.
But, what was new since last time, is the UFO-shaped gift shop/tourist information centre right next door. I wandered over to it to take a look. It was closed for the season, but a lowly clerk let me in to have a look around. Now, with hospitality like that, how could I not buy chinzy souvineers? Everyone's got a UFO landing pad postcard comin' in the mail.
Then I wandered down St. Paul's main street. Buried deep in the back of the Value Drug Mart, I found some "historical artifact" postcards. They were pics of the UFO landing pad BEFORE the gift shop/tourist info booth was built. It's been minorly modified over the years. The most glaring change is how it's connection to the Canadian Centennial is now being downplayed. (The pad was originally a Centennial project for St. Paul.) It used to be adorned the with the coat-of-arms of Alberta and the emblem of the Canadian Centennial, but now, only the Alberta coat-of-arms remains.
Anyway, the St. Paul UFO Landing Pad is truly an OG of roadside attractions.
Took a cruise around town today to check out the rest of the Episode III figures now on sale. I found more Darth Vaders. I really, really, REALLY want an Episode III Darth Vader. Usually, I don't buy duplicates of figures I already have. (Finally got my hands on a Darth Vader from Return of the Jedi back in the fall.) But this is the Episode III Vader! This is first appearance Vader! I'm conflicted.
I'm also strangely drawn to the pregnant Amidala figure. That's bizzare. Maybe it's because it's the first pregnant action figure I've ever seen. The only thing is the sculpt on it is horrible. Hardly looks like Natalie Portman. Well, it does look kind of like Natalie Portman...if Natalie Portman became a chain-smoking, bar floozie. Hmmm.... Maybe, in Episode III, Amidala DOES become a chain-smoking, bar floozie. Maybe that's how she coped with Anakin's long time away fighting in the Clone Wars. Just a thought.
But then, I should show a little more self-control. I really went crazy buying action figures in the past month. In the past 30 days, I bought: Batgirl Barbie, Supergirl Barbie, Herbie the Love Bug, Marvel Legends Elektra, Marvel Legends Dark Phoenix, Anakin, and Palpatine. That's a big month. I gotta slow down a bit.
"the Difference is the Music in the Air." Don't let me forget that. That's the genesis of a brilliant column.
Friday, April 01, 2005
So, the Star Wars: Episode III action figures go on sale tomorrow.
Unless you live in Cold Lake, where the clerks mess up and put them on the shelves tonight.
I went for my evening walk, popped into the department store, and I totally geeked out when I saw them putting the Episode III figures out. I got exactly what I wanted: the lightsaber-weilding Palpatine (who also has spring-loaded, Force-lightening-shooting action!), and "on the verge of the Dark Side" Anakin (with both red and blue lightsabers.)
Man, there's Wookies galore. I was tempted to also grab Darth Vader and Pregnant Amidala, but I had to show a little self-control. I think I'll wait until I see the movie now, and see what breakout characters I simply MUST own!
Although, I've noticed that Star Wars figures move slowly in Cold Lake. If there's any particular one you want, let me know and I'll see what I can do.
Unless you live in Cold Lake, where the clerks mess up and put them on the shelves tonight.
I went for my evening walk, popped into the department store, and I totally geeked out when I saw them putting the Episode III figures out. I got exactly what I wanted: the lightsaber-weilding Palpatine (who also has spring-loaded, Force-lightening-shooting action!), and "on the verge of the Dark Side" Anakin (with both red and blue lightsabers.)
Man, there's Wookies galore. I was tempted to also grab Darth Vader and Pregnant Amidala, but I had to show a little self-control. I think I'll wait until I see the movie now, and see what breakout characters I simply MUST own!
Although, I've noticed that Star Wars figures move slowly in Cold Lake. If there's any particular one you want, let me know and I'll see what I can do.
Ahh, happy April Fool's Day! I'm kind of diappointed...none of my movie gossip websites do any kind of April Fool's jokes anymore. I'll never forget back in 2000, when Corona's Coming Attractions had the first ever news about the next Star Wars movie. Billy Dee Williams as new character Landal Calcrissian! A Cloud City figuring into the plot! Star Wars 2: The Empire Strikes Back coming in May 1980!
But, anyway, you could always go wish my best friend a happy birthday. It really is his birthday today.
Don't forget, Episode III action figures go on sale tomorrow. As I said before, I'm kind of holding out for "on the verge of the Dark Side" Anakin. Actually, I'm wondering if I spotted a spoiler in the newest ToyFare. They showed a picture of "on the verge of the Dark Side" Anakin and it was labeled "Darth Vader." So, I'm starting to think that Anakin becomes Darth Vader BEFORE he dons the trademark Vader armor. Cool.
I was explaining this to one of my coworkers yesterday, and I was surprised by her reaction. Back when the special editions came out, I read the statistic that the average man had seen Star Wars 7 times, and the average woman 5 times.
So you can imagine my complete shock when my coworker...HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE PREQUELS!! "What do you mean Luke's not in them? What the heck is a prequel, anyway?" I spent 10 minutes explaining that it's before Star Wars and Luke isn't born yet and it's about how Luke's dad became Darth Vader. She had trouble believing me.
But I won't be part of any midnight madness for action figures. Nope. I've got tomorrow set aside to finally head down to St. Paul and see the UFO landing pad. Naturally, people think I'm nuts. "It's just a slab of concrete! Why the hell do you want to see that?"
Well, I believe the theory behind roadside attractions that Neil Gaiman lays out in his book American Gods. Essentially, Gaiman hatches the idea that, wherever one of these attractions is built, there's something, well, scared about that site, and we just don't quite know how to interpret it. 2 or 3 hundred years ago, we would have built a shrine or a temple on the site. Now, we erect a giant Easter egg...or a UFO landing pad.
I plan to take that idea to the next level in a short story or something someday. Introduce the caretaker of one of these world's largests, and portray him as a holy man.
Next Issue...the Road to St. Paul
But, anyway, you could always go wish my best friend a happy birthday. It really is his birthday today.
Don't forget, Episode III action figures go on sale tomorrow. As I said before, I'm kind of holding out for "on the verge of the Dark Side" Anakin. Actually, I'm wondering if I spotted a spoiler in the newest ToyFare. They showed a picture of "on the verge of the Dark Side" Anakin and it was labeled "Darth Vader." So, I'm starting to think that Anakin becomes Darth Vader BEFORE he dons the trademark Vader armor. Cool.
I was explaining this to one of my coworkers yesterday, and I was surprised by her reaction. Back when the special editions came out, I read the statistic that the average man had seen Star Wars 7 times, and the average woman 5 times.
So you can imagine my complete shock when my coworker...HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE PREQUELS!! "What do you mean Luke's not in them? What the heck is a prequel, anyway?" I spent 10 minutes explaining that it's before Star Wars and Luke isn't born yet and it's about how Luke's dad became Darth Vader. She had trouble believing me.
But I won't be part of any midnight madness for action figures. Nope. I've got tomorrow set aside to finally head down to St. Paul and see the UFO landing pad. Naturally, people think I'm nuts. "It's just a slab of concrete! Why the hell do you want to see that?"
Well, I believe the theory behind roadside attractions that Neil Gaiman lays out in his book American Gods. Essentially, Gaiman hatches the idea that, wherever one of these attractions is built, there's something, well, scared about that site, and we just don't quite know how to interpret it. 2 or 3 hundred years ago, we would have built a shrine or a temple on the site. Now, we erect a giant Easter egg...or a UFO landing pad.
I plan to take that idea to the next level in a short story or something someday. Introduce the caretaker of one of these world's largests, and portray him as a holy man.
Next Issue...the Road to St. Paul
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Need sleep...been waking up at 5 lately...don't know why.
Anyway, I just learned that April 2 - Saturday - is the big day that Episode III merchandise is to officially go on sale. Apparently, many Toys R Us's and Wal-Marts and such forth will be opening at midnight to meet demand. I don't think the Cold Lake Wal-Mart is one of them. I'll just go on Saturday morning and see if they've put anything on the shelf.
I went to 7-11 last night, and started leafing through the latest Star Wars Insider. They have a complete checklist of all the Episode III action figures about to hit. I had to laugh when I saw that they actually have made a pregnant Amidala action figure. This made me laugh because ToyFare recently ran a bit about "the Episode III action figures you'll never see!" And one of them was pregnant Amidala...with water-breaking action.
And here's some really cool news about a certain movie trailer. The Internet exclusive trailer for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has become SO popular, that they're going to stick it in theaters! You'll be able to see it this Friday in front of Sin City.
Anyway, I just learned that April 2 - Saturday - is the big day that Episode III merchandise is to officially go on sale. Apparently, many Toys R Us's and Wal-Marts and such forth will be opening at midnight to meet demand. I don't think the Cold Lake Wal-Mart is one of them. I'll just go on Saturday morning and see if they've put anything on the shelf.
I went to 7-11 last night, and started leafing through the latest Star Wars Insider. They have a complete checklist of all the Episode III action figures about to hit. I had to laugh when I saw that they actually have made a pregnant Amidala action figure. This made me laugh because ToyFare recently ran a bit about "the Episode III action figures you'll never see!" And one of them was pregnant Amidala...with water-breaking action.
And here's some really cool news about a certain movie trailer. The Internet exclusive trailer for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has become SO popular, that they're going to stick it in theaters! You'll be able to see it this Friday in front of Sin City.
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Ugh.
It's been a slow morning at work, so I checked my NAIT e-mail that I never use. The whole thing was clogged with spam for NR92 shows. I can't believe it.
Now, I know this is hypocritical coming from me. Back in 1997, I figured out how to send spam on the Augustana Computer Network to promote Chaos in a Box. I like to think of myself as a pioneer in using spam to promote a radio show. But the sad truth is spam is so darn annoying that it doens't work anymore.
If, *IF* a person insists on using spam to promote their radio show, this is what I suggest:
1) Keep it SHORT!! Five lines max. This way, people may scan it before they delete it.
2) Make it something that a person has to sign up for. Make it a newsletter instead of spam. People will read it if they actually want it!
It's been a slow morning at work, so I checked my NAIT e-mail that I never use. The whole thing was clogged with spam for NR92 shows. I can't believe it.
Now, I know this is hypocritical coming from me. Back in 1997, I figured out how to send spam on the Augustana Computer Network to promote Chaos in a Box. I like to think of myself as a pioneer in using spam to promote a radio show. But the sad truth is spam is so darn annoying that it doens't work anymore.
If, *IF* a person insists on using spam to promote their radio show, this is what I suggest:
1) Keep it SHORT!! Five lines max. This way, people may scan it before they delete it.
2) Make it something that a person has to sign up for. Make it a newsletter instead of spam. People will read it if they actually want it!
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
You've probably read this story in a dozen different media by now, but I just have to share it.
The Italian town of Pisa - famous for its leaning tower - has sparked controversy by announcing that it will build a second leaning tower.
This second leaning tower won't actually lean, though. It'll accomplish its lean through tricks of lighting. It'll be a modern office building, complete with luxury condos and gift shops for the tourists. It's exact location will be 5 km southwest of the original leaning tower. It'll cost $65 million US to build, they start building at the end of summer, and it'll take about 4 years to complete.
It should be easy to see why it's controversial. Traditionalists say that it'll deface the view. City planners say it'll spark tourism, and show Pisa as being a forward-thinking city.
I had another encounter with a Phoenix action figure last night. There was one lonely Phoenix on the shelf at Zeller's. This was the regular Phoenix - green costume. I was tempted to buy it. Seriously. I mean, Phoenix is still the shortpacked figure in the Marvel Legends line ("shortpacked" means they made the least amount of it, and there's only one per case), and that added rarity always means an increased value.
anyway, I instead decided to play a game with it. I moved it to the very back of the shelf, and we'll see how long it remains there. Hell, it's a game I've played for the last 3 months with the Elektra action figure that Zeller's had, and last night, I said, "Let's end this." Yup, I bought Elektra instead.
And since I"m blogging anyway, here's today's big new DVD releases:
APOLLO 13 (Universal) Ron Howard’s excellent dramatization of the troublesome space mission, in which three astronauts (Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton and Kevin Bacon) narrowly escaped death multiple times. 2-disc widescreen & narrowscreen editions include commentraks (director Ron Howard and one by astronaut Jim Lovell and his wife), featurettes, the re-edited version shown in IMAX theaters and more.
THE LONE GUNMEN (Fox) Underrated 2001 X-FILES spinoff about the adventures of three geeks as they investigate conspiracies for their underground newspaper. With commentraks, featurettes and more.
ORGAZMO (Universal) Parker & Stone’s comedy about a young Mormon missionary who somehow comes to star in a superhero porn flick. Special edition includes both theatrical and unrated versions, 3 wild commentraks (nude, drunk and guest star), outtakes, deleted scenes, interviews, documentary and more.
THE TOXIC AVENGER (Troma) 2-disc 21st anniversary edition of this trash horror comedy landmark in which a nerdy gymnasium mop boy becomes a heroic monster. Includes commentrak, fan tribute shorts, interviews and more.
As always, these are just my highlights. Get the complete list at Cinescape
The Italian town of Pisa - famous for its leaning tower - has sparked controversy by announcing that it will build a second leaning tower.
This second leaning tower won't actually lean, though. It'll accomplish its lean through tricks of lighting. It'll be a modern office building, complete with luxury condos and gift shops for the tourists. It's exact location will be 5 km southwest of the original leaning tower. It'll cost $65 million US to build, they start building at the end of summer, and it'll take about 4 years to complete.
It should be easy to see why it's controversial. Traditionalists say that it'll deface the view. City planners say it'll spark tourism, and show Pisa as being a forward-thinking city.
I had another encounter with a Phoenix action figure last night. There was one lonely Phoenix on the shelf at Zeller's. This was the regular Phoenix - green costume. I was tempted to buy it. Seriously. I mean, Phoenix is still the shortpacked figure in the Marvel Legends line ("shortpacked" means they made the least amount of it, and there's only one per case), and that added rarity always means an increased value.
anyway, I instead decided to play a game with it. I moved it to the very back of the shelf, and we'll see how long it remains there. Hell, it's a game I've played for the last 3 months with the Elektra action figure that Zeller's had, and last night, I said, "Let's end this." Yup, I bought Elektra instead.
And since I"m blogging anyway, here's today's big new DVD releases:
APOLLO 13 (Universal) Ron Howard’s excellent dramatization of the troublesome space mission, in which three astronauts (Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton and Kevin Bacon) narrowly escaped death multiple times. 2-disc widescreen & narrowscreen editions include commentraks (director Ron Howard and one by astronaut Jim Lovell and his wife), featurettes, the re-edited version shown in IMAX theaters and more.
THE LONE GUNMEN (Fox) Underrated 2001 X-FILES spinoff about the adventures of three geeks as they investigate conspiracies for their underground newspaper. With commentraks, featurettes and more.
ORGAZMO (Universal) Parker & Stone’s comedy about a young Mormon missionary who somehow comes to star in a superhero porn flick. Special edition includes both theatrical and unrated versions, 3 wild commentraks (nude, drunk and guest star), outtakes, deleted scenes, interviews, documentary and more.
THE TOXIC AVENGER (Troma) 2-disc 21st anniversary edition of this trash horror comedy landmark in which a nerdy gymnasium mop boy becomes a heroic monster. Includes commentrak, fan tribute shorts, interviews and more.
As always, these are just my highlights. Get the complete list at Cinescape
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Latest column's up! It's part 2 of my epic about going to Disneyland:
"The ladies in our group were all ready to do the tour through Cinderella’s castle. Now, there were some warnings about how there were two different kinds of tours, and that it’s all in Japanese, but hey. The girls wanted to do it. So, as we went into the castle, the show began. Our tour guide gave us the spiel of all the mighty princes and beautiful princesses that have graced this castle, when the thunder and lightening began. See, the Disney villains have taken over the castle. And now, the only way out is through. Our brave tour guide led on. "
As always, here's the whole thing
"The ladies in our group were all ready to do the tour through Cinderella’s castle. Now, there were some warnings about how there were two different kinds of tours, and that it’s all in Japanese, but hey. The girls wanted to do it. So, as we went into the castle, the show began. Our tour guide gave us the spiel of all the mighty princes and beautiful princesses that have graced this castle, when the thunder and lightening began. See, the Disney villains have taken over the castle. And now, the only way out is through. Our brave tour guide led on. "
As always, here's the whole thing
Saturday, March 26, 2005
"Hate" is a very strong word. It describes a strong emotion. It is a word I do not use lightly. There are things I don't like. I'm indifferent towards many things. And, there are lots of things I find unpleasant. But hate? There are very few things I truly hate.
I hate Extra Foods in Drayton Valley.
I'm home for the Easter weekend. My mother needed to go to Drayton Valley to pick up a few things, and I went along. We wound up at Extra Foods. As soon as I walked in the door, I became physically uncomfortable. I wanted to turn, run, do anything to get out of that store. But I tolerated it. At the checkout line, my old boss even came over and said hi. Now, my boss at Extra Foods was actually pretty nice. It was the Store Manager and the manager of the Photo Lab that I always butted heads with. But still, I just couldn't stand talking to my old boss. I kept my answers short, curt, and polite. I'm certian she'll tell everyone that I've become rather rude. But I just wanted to leave that place. Quickly.
Afterwards, I got the tour around Drayton Valley. Saw the new Wal-Mart. It opened in January. Then I saw all the places that are closing because of Wal-Mart. It's interesting. My mother told me the story of many locals who have grown indifferent towards Wal-Mart. Before, when Wal-Mart went driving an hour into Spruce Grove, Wal-Mart was an event! It meant a day in the city away from the rigors of every day life. Then, when it was announced that a Wal-Mart was coming to town, the people were overjoyed. Oh my God! Wal-Mart! Here! We can have our big event EVERY DAY!! But now, that it's been in town for a while, Wal-Mart is no longer an event. It's just...there.
And I had to browse through Wal-Mart. Darn near wet my pants when I saw that they accidentally had the Episode III action figures on sale just a little early. Didn't pick up one, though. All they had left was R2-D2, Mace Windu, Chewbacca, and a Super Battle Droid. None of those characters really grabbed my interest. Looking at the back of the package, I think I'll hold out for the "on the verge of the Dark Side" Anakin Skywalker, or the lightsaber-weilding Emperor Palpatine.
However, I did pick up a Queen Amidala, wearing her outfit from the final scene in Episode I. That outfit is my definition of elegant.
Besides, I made my foolish action figure purchase yesterday. I was browsing through the Spruce Grove Superstore, checking out the Marvel Legends figures, and what did I spy but the super ultra rare Dark Phoenix figure. ToyFare says it's already going for $60. And I bought it for $10.
I hate Extra Foods in Drayton Valley.
I'm home for the Easter weekend. My mother needed to go to Drayton Valley to pick up a few things, and I went along. We wound up at Extra Foods. As soon as I walked in the door, I became physically uncomfortable. I wanted to turn, run, do anything to get out of that store. But I tolerated it. At the checkout line, my old boss even came over and said hi. Now, my boss at Extra Foods was actually pretty nice. It was the Store Manager and the manager of the Photo Lab that I always butted heads with. But still, I just couldn't stand talking to my old boss. I kept my answers short, curt, and polite. I'm certian she'll tell everyone that I've become rather rude. But I just wanted to leave that place. Quickly.
Afterwards, I got the tour around Drayton Valley. Saw the new Wal-Mart. It opened in January. Then I saw all the places that are closing because of Wal-Mart. It's interesting. My mother told me the story of many locals who have grown indifferent towards Wal-Mart. Before, when Wal-Mart went driving an hour into Spruce Grove, Wal-Mart was an event! It meant a day in the city away from the rigors of every day life. Then, when it was announced that a Wal-Mart was coming to town, the people were overjoyed. Oh my God! Wal-Mart! Here! We can have our big event EVERY DAY!! But now, that it's been in town for a while, Wal-Mart is no longer an event. It's just...there.
And I had to browse through Wal-Mart. Darn near wet my pants when I saw that they accidentally had the Episode III action figures on sale just a little early. Didn't pick up one, though. All they had left was R2-D2, Mace Windu, Chewbacca, and a Super Battle Droid. None of those characters really grabbed my interest. Looking at the back of the package, I think I'll hold out for the "on the verge of the Dark Side" Anakin Skywalker, or the lightsaber-weilding Emperor Palpatine.
However, I did pick up a Queen Amidala, wearing her outfit from the final scene in Episode I. That outfit is my definition of elegant.
Besides, I made my foolish action figure purchase yesterday. I was browsing through the Spruce Grove Superstore, checking out the Marvel Legends figures, and what did I spy but the super ultra rare Dark Phoenix figure. ToyFare says it's already going for $60. And I bought it for $10.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
I have nothing to say, yet I feel I must say something.
I was lucky enough to get the long weekend off, so tomorrow, bright and early, I leave for Entwistle! Crazy thing is, I was the only one in my family who could get Easter off. It's going to be just me and Mom.
I promised Mom that I'd be too busy next year.
I was lucky enough to get the long weekend off, so tomorrow, bright and early, I leave for Entwistle! Crazy thing is, I was the only one in my family who could get Easter off. It's going to be just me and Mom.
I promised Mom that I'd be too busy next year.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Yay! My quest is complete! I've finally found the answer to something that's been bugging me for ages!
What is the proper term for a story in 4 parts?
We all know that "trilogy" is the word for a story in 3 parts. And, when the big boxed set of all the Alien films came out under the title "The Alien Quadrilogy," I looked at that and though, "Hmmm.... Something tells me that 'quadrilogy' isn't the right word."
So, after typing the odd search phrase into Google, and wishing that the Merriam-Webster Online Dictonary had a reverse look-up (type in the definition, they give you the word), I finally found it this morning at Wikipedia.org.
The proper term for a story in 4 parts is...
Tetrology.
Oh, and in case you're curious, in the course of my research I found the terms "pentalogy" and "quintology" used to describe a story in five parts. If anyone knows which of those is correct, or if both are, then let me know!
What is the proper term for a story in 4 parts?
We all know that "trilogy" is the word for a story in 3 parts. And, when the big boxed set of all the Alien films came out under the title "The Alien Quadrilogy," I looked at that and though, "Hmmm.... Something tells me that 'quadrilogy' isn't the right word."
So, after typing the odd search phrase into Google, and wishing that the Merriam-Webster Online Dictonary had a reverse look-up (type in the definition, they give you the word), I finally found it this morning at Wikipedia.org.
The proper term for a story in 4 parts is...
Tetrology.
Oh, and in case you're curious, in the course of my research I found the terms "pentalogy" and "quintology" used to describe a story in five parts. If anyone knows which of those is correct, or if both are, then let me know!
Sunday, March 20, 2005
At long last! It's here! This week's column, Untold Tales of Japan: Scarecrow Goes to Disneyland pt. 1:
"I had completely forgotten that Japan has a Disneyland until I arrived and started seeing the ads on TV. Like every child that has grown up under the watchful gaze of the Disney Corporation, I wanted to go to Disneyland. And, now that there was one in my figurative backyard, I knew that this was as good a chance as any. After some research, I learned that Tokyo Disneyland has a “Saitama Day,” in which the residents of Saitama prefecture could get in for half price. And lo and behold, I was in Saitama prefecture! After I plotted the charts and spoke to my students, I finally realized why there was always one day a month when all those under 18 that I taught never came in for their lessons."
The whole thing's right here!
"I had completely forgotten that Japan has a Disneyland until I arrived and started seeing the ads on TV. Like every child that has grown up under the watchful gaze of the Disney Corporation, I wanted to go to Disneyland. And, now that there was one in my figurative backyard, I knew that this was as good a chance as any. After some research, I learned that Tokyo Disneyland has a “Saitama Day,” in which the residents of Saitama prefecture could get in for half price. And lo and behold, I was in Saitama prefecture! After I plotted the charts and spoke to my students, I finally realized why there was always one day a month when all those under 18 that I taught never came in for their lessons."
The whole thing's right here!
Thursday, March 17, 2005
As I am prone to do in this town without TV, I found myself aimlessly browsing the department stores like some kind of mall zombie. I was going through the toy section, looking for the latest hot collectable, and I looked up and down the aisle dedicate to toy cars. I looked among them and I started thinking, "You know, collecting die cast metal cars - Hot Wheels, Matchbox, and their brethern - must be pretty big hobby, too." I wonder why it doesn't get the coverage that Barbie doll collecting does or action figure collecting. Although, action figure collecting only really took off in the last 10 years - around the same time that comic book collecting started crashing. I betcha it'll be toy cars when action figures crash.
Anyway, I bought the first toy car to add to my action figure collection. I can't believe I spotted it tonight. After wanting one ever since I was 5 years old, I finally got a Hot Wheels version of...Herbie the Love Bug. Officially licensed by Disney and everything. That's going to be a cool addition.
Now, my second-most coveted toy car because my most-coveted: a Hot Wheels version of the DeLorean Time Machine from Back to the Future.
Anyway, gotta share the big movie news of the day. This has been rumoured for about a month, but today it was officially announced. Joss Whedon, the man behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly, will be writing and directing the big screen version of...Wonder Woman. Joel Silver, the man who helped the Wachoskis to bring the Matrix to the big screen, is also producing. No word yet on a release date, but rumour is that Warner Brothers would really like Summer 2006.
I just it want it to be good.
And, I have to share this bit of Star Trek news. As I may have told you, as season 4 of Enterprise went on, we always heard rumours that negotiations were underway to have William Shatner be on the show. Would he have been Captain Kirk? Would he have been Kirk's ancestor? What might have been....
Well, now the writers are telling us.
William Shatner was going to play Evil Kirk from the mirror universe.
The plot was, in the 23rd Century, Evil Spock was going to do away with Evil Kirk using Evil Kirk's secret weapon - the Tantalus Field. But, the Tantalus Field isn't a disintigrator like we orginally thought. It's a transporter that sends you to a penal colony - 100 years in the past. So, Evil Kirk is stuck in the past. In the past, who happens upon this penal colony but Capt. Archer and his Enterprise? Naturally, Evil Kirk goes, "Yes! They have a transporter! I can recreate that accident from the first time I got sent to this alternate universe, and get home!" Evil Kirk gets on board the NX-01, makes the transpoter modification...and goes nowhere. Turns out the mirror universe doesn't exist yet. So, Capt. Archer and Evil Kirk then have to work together to figure out when the mirror universe splits off from this one. And the big sci-fi twist ending? Capt. Archer and Evil Kirk create the mirror universe by trying to figure out when it starts.
This was actually William Shatner's idea. He came up with it with Judith and Garfield Revees-Stevens. The Revees-Stevens co-wrote all of Shatner's Star Trek novels, and were writing for Enterprise this season. The writers all loved it! The big wigs at Paramount loved it! Rick Berman and Brannon Braga loved it!
But Rick Berman had a better idea.
Rick Berman's idea was that William Shatner would play the NX-01's Chef - and great, great grandfather of Captain Kirk's. One day, Crewman Daniels (a recurring character from 29th Century Starfleet whose job it is to protect the timeline) appears and says, "Captian Kirk has disappeared! We must preserve the timeline!" And then, he would zap the NX-01 into the future where Chef would have to masquerade as Capt. Kirk until the real Kirk could be found.
William Shatner ended negotiations after Berman's "better" idea.
Ahh, what might have been....
Anyway, I bought the first toy car to add to my action figure collection. I can't believe I spotted it tonight. After wanting one ever since I was 5 years old, I finally got a Hot Wheels version of...Herbie the Love Bug. Officially licensed by Disney and everything. That's going to be a cool addition.
Now, my second-most coveted toy car because my most-coveted: a Hot Wheels version of the DeLorean Time Machine from Back to the Future.
Anyway, gotta share the big movie news of the day. This has been rumoured for about a month, but today it was officially announced. Joss Whedon, the man behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly, will be writing and directing the big screen version of...Wonder Woman. Joel Silver, the man who helped the Wachoskis to bring the Matrix to the big screen, is also producing. No word yet on a release date, but rumour is that Warner Brothers would really like Summer 2006.
I just it want it to be good.
And, I have to share this bit of Star Trek news. As I may have told you, as season 4 of Enterprise went on, we always heard rumours that negotiations were underway to have William Shatner be on the show. Would he have been Captain Kirk? Would he have been Kirk's ancestor? What might have been....
Well, now the writers are telling us.
William Shatner was going to play Evil Kirk from the mirror universe.
The plot was, in the 23rd Century, Evil Spock was going to do away with Evil Kirk using Evil Kirk's secret weapon - the Tantalus Field. But, the Tantalus Field isn't a disintigrator like we orginally thought. It's a transporter that sends you to a penal colony - 100 years in the past. So, Evil Kirk is stuck in the past. In the past, who happens upon this penal colony but Capt. Archer and his Enterprise? Naturally, Evil Kirk goes, "Yes! They have a transporter! I can recreate that accident from the first time I got sent to this alternate universe, and get home!" Evil Kirk gets on board the NX-01, makes the transpoter modification...and goes nowhere. Turns out the mirror universe doesn't exist yet. So, Capt. Archer and Evil Kirk then have to work together to figure out when the mirror universe splits off from this one. And the big sci-fi twist ending? Capt. Archer and Evil Kirk create the mirror universe by trying to figure out when it starts.
This was actually William Shatner's idea. He came up with it with Judith and Garfield Revees-Stevens. The Revees-Stevens co-wrote all of Shatner's Star Trek novels, and were writing for Enterprise this season. The writers all loved it! The big wigs at Paramount loved it! Rick Berman and Brannon Braga loved it!
But Rick Berman had a better idea.
Rick Berman's idea was that William Shatner would play the NX-01's Chef - and great, great grandfather of Captain Kirk's. One day, Crewman Daniels (a recurring character from 29th Century Starfleet whose job it is to protect the timeline) appears and says, "Captian Kirk has disappeared! We must preserve the timeline!" And then, he would zap the NX-01 into the future where Chef would have to masquerade as Capt. Kirk until the real Kirk could be found.
William Shatner ended negotiations after Berman's "better" idea.
Ahh, what might have been....
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Picked up the 2-disc special edition of Star Trek: First Contact yesterday. Or, as we fans call it, "the last good one." It was also the first time I'd watched it in a few years. I've come a long way from when I first saw in Red Deer. So, I'd just like to throw together a little list...
Things I Still Find Cool About First Contact
- Picard's opening dream sequence
- The appearance of the Defiant
- Using the Klingon theme for Worf
- Picard mowing down Borg drones with a Tommy gun.
- When the Phoenix blows off its side panels, revealing the nacelles.
- Death of the Borg Queen
- The cameos!
- "The line must be drawn here!"
Time to watch some bonus stuff before work.
Next Issue...Work
Things I Still Find Cool About First Contact
- Picard's opening dream sequence
- The appearance of the Defiant
- Using the Klingon theme for Worf
- Picard mowing down Borg drones with a Tommy gun.
- When the Phoenix blows off its side panels, revealing the nacelles.
- Death of the Borg Queen
- The cameos!
- "The line must be drawn here!"
Time to watch some bonus stuff before work.
Next Issue...Work
Monday, March 14, 2005
My computer's driving me nuts. It still randomly shuts off. At first, I thought it may have been because my battery was dead and I didn't know. Hey, it's been plugged in for the past two months. But that wasn't it. I'm really starting to believe it's an overheating issue. Why? Because yesterday, I was finally able to do a complete virus scan and defrag the hard drive.
I did it on my balcony.
It was -5 outside yesterday.
Anyway, I hope my laptop will survive until the end of April. My practicum will be done, I'll have some down-time between jobs, and I'll take my machine into the authorized Toshiba repair centre.
Anyway, got a few bits of tremendously exciting movie news:
the Hobbit - Peter Jackson has gone on record as saying this movie is at least 4 years away. See, New Line made Lord of the Rings and wants to make the Hobbit. But, MGM owns The Hobbit. Jackson said that there's a strong desire in Hollywood to see it made, but it'll take a while for the lawyers to hammer out a deal.
Toy Story 3 - God, I can't believe Disney is making this film without Pixar. Disney had just chosen a director: Bradley Raymond. Raymond is a veteran of Disney's straight-to-video-sequel division, having directed The Hunchback of Notre Dame II and The Lion King 1½. The script was written by Jared Stern, who wrote it as part of his "How to write an animated film" course. Disney's looking at 2008 for a release.
X-Men 3 - And, the new director is Matthew Vaughn. Vaughn is a longtime collaberator of Guy Ritchie's, having been the producer on Lock, Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels and Snatch. Vaughn made his directorial debut last year with Layer Cake. May 2006 is still the release!
And now, to curse at my computer some more.
Next Issue...Nice, Heavy Paperweight
I did it on my balcony.
It was -5 outside yesterday.
Anyway, I hope my laptop will survive until the end of April. My practicum will be done, I'll have some down-time between jobs, and I'll take my machine into the authorized Toshiba repair centre.
Anyway, got a few bits of tremendously exciting movie news:
the Hobbit - Peter Jackson has gone on record as saying this movie is at least 4 years away. See, New Line made Lord of the Rings and wants to make the Hobbit. But, MGM owns The Hobbit. Jackson said that there's a strong desire in Hollywood to see it made, but it'll take a while for the lawyers to hammer out a deal.
Toy Story 3 - God, I can't believe Disney is making this film without Pixar. Disney had just chosen a director: Bradley Raymond. Raymond is a veteran of Disney's straight-to-video-sequel division, having directed The Hunchback of Notre Dame II and The Lion King 1½. The script was written by Jared Stern, who wrote it as part of his "How to write an animated film" course. Disney's looking at 2008 for a release.
X-Men 3 - And, the new director is Matthew Vaughn. Vaughn is a longtime collaberator of Guy Ritchie's, having been the producer on Lock, Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels and Snatch. Vaughn made his directorial debut last year with Layer Cake. May 2006 is still the release!
And now, to curse at my computer some more.
Next Issue...Nice, Heavy Paperweight
My computer's driving me nuts. It still randomly shuts off. At first, I thought it may have been because my battery was dead and I didn't know. Hey, it's been plugged in for the past two months. But that wasn't it. I'm really starting to believe it's an overheating issue. Why? Because yesterday, I was finally able to do a complete virus scan and defrag the hard drive.
I did it on my balcony.
It was -5 outside yesterday.
Anyway, I hope my laptop will survive until the end of April. My practicum will be done, I'll have some down-time between jobs, and I'll take my machine into the authorized Toshiba repair centre.
Anyway, got a few bits of tremendously exciting movie news:
the Hobbit - Peter Jackson has gone on record as saying this movie is at least 4 years away. See, New Line made Lord of the Rings and wants to make the Hobbit. But, MGM owns The Hobbit. Jackson said that there's a strong desire in Hollywood to see it made, but it'll take a while for the lawyers to hammer out a deal.
Toy Story 3 - God, I can't believe Disney is making this film without Pixar. Disney had just chosen a director: Bradley Raymond. Raymond is a veteran of Disney's straight-to-video-sequel division, having directed The Hunchback of Notre Dame II and The Lion King 1½. The script was written by Jared Stern, who wrote it as part of his "How to write an animated film" course. Disney's looking at 2008 for a release.
X-Men 3 - And, the new director is Matthew Vaughn. Vaughn is a longtime collaberator of Guy Ritchie's, having been the producer on Lock, Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels and Snatch. Vaughn made his directorial debut last year with Layer Cake. May 2006 is still the release!
And now, to curse at my computer some more.
Next Issue...Nice, Heavy Paperweight
I did it on my balcony.
It was -5 outside yesterday.
Anyway, I hope my laptop will survive until the end of April. My practicum will be done, I'll have some down-time between jobs, and I'll take my machine into the authorized Toshiba repair centre.
Anyway, got a few bits of tremendously exciting movie news:
the Hobbit - Peter Jackson has gone on record as saying this movie is at least 4 years away. See, New Line made Lord of the Rings and wants to make the Hobbit. But, MGM owns The Hobbit. Jackson said that there's a strong desire in Hollywood to see it made, but it'll take a while for the lawyers to hammer out a deal.
Toy Story 3 - God, I can't believe Disney is making this film without Pixar. Disney had just chosen a director: Bradley Raymond. Raymond is a veteran of Disney's straight-to-video-sequel division, having directed The Hunchback of Notre Dame II and The Lion King 1½. The script was written by Jared Stern, who wrote it as part of his "How to write an animated film" course. Disney's looking at 2008 for a release.
X-Men 3 - And, the new director is Matthew Vaughn. Vaughn is a longtime collaberator of Guy Ritchie's, having been the producer on Lock, Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels and Snatch. Vaughn made his directorial debut last year with Layer Cake. May 2006 is still the release!
And now, to curse at my computer some more.
Next Issue...Nice, Heavy Paperweight
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Oh, what a busy Sunday! Firstly, the latest column's up! This week is all about Democracy, and a return to NAIT:
"...you’re probably wondering why the heck I came back. Well, it was for one very important reason: the NAITSA elections. Even though I’m a three-hour drive away, I’m still a student, and I still wanted to have my say in who’ll be in charge next year. I came down to vote in the advance polls, and I’ll admit I was a little disappointed that things had been changed this year. The candidate’s “vote for me!” articles didn’t run in the Nugget the week before the election, but rather in the issue that came out the day of the election. So, I was stuck gathering all my info about candidates purely on the posters, until I found that the candidate’s “vote for me” articles were posted at the future sites of polling stations. Nothing really Earth-shattering. Most everyone ran on the platform of “vote for me, cuz I know how to PARTY! WOO!!” Their posters reflected it. What I found funniest about the election, though, was the fact that Dwayne Williams, running for re-election on a platform of increased communication, wasn’t bothered to put up at least one poster telling people that he was running again. Now that’s your high-quality, China-cut irony."
And yes, it has been submitted to The Nugget, NAIT's paper. But, you don't have to wait until Thursday! Read it here!
And I had a wonderful day of Sunday driving. I finally drove out to Glendon to see the world's largest pyrogy. Gotta say, kind of a letdown. I had no idea that the town of Glendon is now so...run down. And the Pyrogy Cafe, the restaurant in the shadow of the giant pyrogy, is a Chinese restaurant. The serve pyrogies no more. Oh, and if you're expecing a giant pyrogy postcard, sorry. It was Sunday, so everything was closed. When I head out to St. Paul to see the UFO Landing Pad, I'll make sure it's a Saturday so the gift shops are open.
And after I saw the pyrogy, I went to Saskatchewan. I keep forgetting how close Cold Lake is to the Alberta/Saskatchewan border. The lake of Cold Lake actually straddles the border. So, I made a run for the border, just so I could say I went to Saskatchewan.
Next Issue...Tokyo Disneyland!
"...you’re probably wondering why the heck I came back. Well, it was for one very important reason: the NAITSA elections. Even though I’m a three-hour drive away, I’m still a student, and I still wanted to have my say in who’ll be in charge next year. I came down to vote in the advance polls, and I’ll admit I was a little disappointed that things had been changed this year. The candidate’s “vote for me!” articles didn’t run in the Nugget the week before the election, but rather in the issue that came out the day of the election. So, I was stuck gathering all my info about candidates purely on the posters, until I found that the candidate’s “vote for me” articles were posted at the future sites of polling stations. Nothing really Earth-shattering. Most everyone ran on the platform of “vote for me, cuz I know how to PARTY! WOO!!” Their posters reflected it. What I found funniest about the election, though, was the fact that Dwayne Williams, running for re-election on a platform of increased communication, wasn’t bothered to put up at least one poster telling people that he was running again. Now that’s your high-quality, China-cut irony."
And yes, it has been submitted to The Nugget, NAIT's paper. But, you don't have to wait until Thursday! Read it here!
And I had a wonderful day of Sunday driving. I finally drove out to Glendon to see the world's largest pyrogy. Gotta say, kind of a letdown. I had no idea that the town of Glendon is now so...run down. And the Pyrogy Cafe, the restaurant in the shadow of the giant pyrogy, is a Chinese restaurant. The serve pyrogies no more. Oh, and if you're expecing a giant pyrogy postcard, sorry. It was Sunday, so everything was closed. When I head out to St. Paul to see the UFO Landing Pad, I'll make sure it's a Saturday so the gift shops are open.
And after I saw the pyrogy, I went to Saskatchewan. I keep forgetting how close Cold Lake is to the Alberta/Saskatchewan border. The lake of Cold Lake actually straddles the border. So, I made a run for the border, just so I could say I went to Saskatchewan.
Next Issue...Tokyo Disneyland!
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Oh, I'm so happy.
Last night, I caught the second half of the Justice League season finale, The Once and Future Thing part 2: Time, Warped. Batman, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman follow our time travelling villain into the future, where he's used his time travel abitily to become absolute ruler of Gotham. Now, going by the name Chronos, he seeks to destroy the remains of the Justice League. So, in the future, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern team up with what remains of the future Justice League, namely Batman Beyond, Warhawk (created for the future Justice League in Batman Beyond), and Static (star of the cartoon Static Shock, only now he's all grown up.) And they battle with Chronos's minion, the Jokerz. And, Chronos has destablized the time/space continuim with all his time travelling. So, it's up to the Justice League to save all of reality. With Batman, Batman Beyond, and the old Bruce Wayne, there were some great moments. Like when Batman meets his 80-year old future self....
Old Bruce Wayne>> Surprised to see me?
Batman>> Actually, I'm more surprised I live this long.
Batman Beyond>> Batman...Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne...Batman. Or have you two already met?
Batman and Old Bruce Wayne (in unison)>> NOT NOW!
Batman Beyond>> Great. What did they used to call this? Stereo?
Or, after Wonder Woman fades from existence, Batman ventures out into future Gotham to search for the Jokerz
Batman Beyond>> You can't go out there alone. It's a different era. Things work differently here.
Batman>> Are criminals still cowardly and superstitious?
Old Bruce Wayne>> Yup.
Batman>> Good enough for me.
But there were some great moments, like when Green Lantern learned that the future hero Warhawk is his son....
Green Lantern>> Who's your mother?
Warhawk (motioning to his hawk armor)>> Who do you think?
Static>> Yup, Shayera [Hawkgirl] was one cranky pregnant lady. Of course, I'd be cranky too if I laid an egg that big.
(horrified look on Green Lantern's face)
Warhawk>> He's kidding, Dad.
All in all, a good episode. Bring on Season 2!
It was almost as good as Thurday night's CSI. Trekkies from all over tuned in to see Wil "I was Wesley Crusher" Wheaton play a deranged homeless person. It kind of ruined it for me, though, as I kept giggling and going, "Dude, that's Wesley Crusher." Even though it was just a small role, though, it's amazing how many good reviews he's getting from playing a deranged homeless person. Are we on the cusp of a Wil Wheaton comeback?
Anyway, how to spend my Saturday.... I was thinking about finally going to Glendon to see the world's largest pyrogy, but it's all grey and looking like it's about to rain. I'll figure it out after breakfast.
Last night, I caught the second half of the Justice League season finale, The Once and Future Thing part 2: Time, Warped. Batman, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman follow our time travelling villain into the future, where he's used his time travel abitily to become absolute ruler of Gotham. Now, going by the name Chronos, he seeks to destroy the remains of the Justice League. So, in the future, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern team up with what remains of the future Justice League, namely Batman Beyond, Warhawk (created for the future Justice League in Batman Beyond), and Static (star of the cartoon Static Shock, only now he's all grown up.) And they battle with Chronos's minion, the Jokerz. And, Chronos has destablized the time/space continuim with all his time travelling. So, it's up to the Justice League to save all of reality. With Batman, Batman Beyond, and the old Bruce Wayne, there were some great moments. Like when Batman meets his 80-year old future self....
Old Bruce Wayne>> Surprised to see me?
Batman>> Actually, I'm more surprised I live this long.
Batman Beyond>> Batman...Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne...Batman. Or have you two already met?
Batman and Old Bruce Wayne (in unison)>> NOT NOW!
Batman Beyond>> Great. What did they used to call this? Stereo?
Or, after Wonder Woman fades from existence, Batman ventures out into future Gotham to search for the Jokerz
Batman Beyond>> You can't go out there alone. It's a different era. Things work differently here.
Batman>> Are criminals still cowardly and superstitious?
Old Bruce Wayne>> Yup.
Batman>> Good enough for me.
But there were some great moments, like when Green Lantern learned that the future hero Warhawk is his son....
Green Lantern>> Who's your mother?
Warhawk (motioning to his hawk armor)>> Who do you think?
Static>> Yup, Shayera [Hawkgirl] was one cranky pregnant lady. Of course, I'd be cranky too if I laid an egg that big.
(horrified look on Green Lantern's face)
Warhawk>> He's kidding, Dad.
All in all, a good episode. Bring on Season 2!
It was almost as good as Thurday night's CSI. Trekkies from all over tuned in to see Wil "I was Wesley Crusher" Wheaton play a deranged homeless person. It kind of ruined it for me, though, as I kept giggling and going, "Dude, that's Wesley Crusher." Even though it was just a small role, though, it's amazing how many good reviews he's getting from playing a deranged homeless person. Are we on the cusp of a Wil Wheaton comeback?
Anyway, how to spend my Saturday.... I was thinking about finally going to Glendon to see the world's largest pyrogy, but it's all grey and looking like it's about to rain. I'll figure it out after breakfast.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Well, I'm depressed. I was goofing around at work today with a co-worker and we took this "Death test" online. Find out when you're going to die!
Anyway, I'll die at age 64. As the death clock said, I've got just 37 years left.
That was a downer.
Anyway, it's not like I'm Donald Roan Dunagan. Dunagan is a career Marine officer, having led troops into battle on countless occasions. He served his country for many, many years before recently retiring. Now, in his late-60s, he can finally come forward with his deep, dark secret.
When he was 7 years old, he did the voice of Bambi.
He was personally hired by Walt Disney for the task! Dunagan says he kept it a secret when he became a Marine because he knew that he wouldn't be a good leader if his troops kept snickering and calling him "Bambi" behind his back.
Dunagan finally revealed this secret because he's retired now and it's no longer that big a deal. That, and Disney paid him a truckload of money to interview him for the new 2-disc special edition of Bambi, which is on store shelves now.
And having done the voice of Bambi did have a lasting influence. Even though he became an accomplished sharpshooter and was invited on many hunting trips, he could never bring himself to kill an animal.
Got another good story in the animation industry today.
I may have ranted on this before, but one of the more controversial cartoons in development is called Loonatics. It's being developed by Warner Brothers, and it follows the adventures of the descendants of the Looney Tunes in the 27th Century. See, in that time, they're superheroes. It's controversial because many Looney Toons afficianados really don't like this re-imagining of the Looney Toons.
Now, though, controversy has been launched in regards to Bugs Bunny's 27th century descendent, Buzz Bunny. The first lawsuit that's been launched is from an artist who created a "Buzz Bunny" for a line of merchandise that he sold from his website. This artist's Buzz Bunny also has a strikingly similar design to Warner's Buzz Bunny.
But, the second and far funnier lawsuit is being launched by a sex toy company. Seems that "the Buzz Bunny" is this company's premiere vibrator.
No word yet on what's going to happen to Warner Brothers and Buzz Bunny.
Next Issue...Man, I'm getting tired of writing "Next Issue" gags
Anyway, I'll die at age 64. As the death clock said, I've got just 37 years left.
That was a downer.
Anyway, it's not like I'm Donald Roan Dunagan. Dunagan is a career Marine officer, having led troops into battle on countless occasions. He served his country for many, many years before recently retiring. Now, in his late-60s, he can finally come forward with his deep, dark secret.
When he was 7 years old, he did the voice of Bambi.
He was personally hired by Walt Disney for the task! Dunagan says he kept it a secret when he became a Marine because he knew that he wouldn't be a good leader if his troops kept snickering and calling him "Bambi" behind his back.
Dunagan finally revealed this secret because he's retired now and it's no longer that big a deal. That, and Disney paid him a truckload of money to interview him for the new 2-disc special edition of Bambi, which is on store shelves now.
And having done the voice of Bambi did have a lasting influence. Even though he became an accomplished sharpshooter and was invited on many hunting trips, he could never bring himself to kill an animal.
Got another good story in the animation industry today.
I may have ranted on this before, but one of the more controversial cartoons in development is called Loonatics. It's being developed by Warner Brothers, and it follows the adventures of the descendants of the Looney Tunes in the 27th Century. See, in that time, they're superheroes. It's controversial because many Looney Toons afficianados really don't like this re-imagining of the Looney Toons.
Now, though, controversy has been launched in regards to Bugs Bunny's 27th century descendent, Buzz Bunny. The first lawsuit that's been launched is from an artist who created a "Buzz Bunny" for a line of merchandise that he sold from his website. This artist's Buzz Bunny also has a strikingly similar design to Warner's Buzz Bunny.
But, the second and far funnier lawsuit is being launched by a sex toy company. Seems that "the Buzz Bunny" is this company's premiere vibrator.
No word yet on what's going to happen to Warner Brothers and Buzz Bunny.
Next Issue...Man, I'm getting tired of writing "Next Issue" gags
I should update this thing more. I keep having dozens of brilliant ideas to share, but then I forget them when I get around to posting them. I'm sorry, world, for I forgot the cure to cancer.
Anyway, I got yesterday off and went back to school for the day. I had a scholarship cheque waiting for me, plus I voted in the advance polls for the student union elections. "You're the first person to vote," they told me. I also feel like writing a column about this and submitting it to the school paper. "I took a day off from work and drove three hours to vote. If you couldn't take two minutes out of your day as you walking down to the Common Market for lunch, well, YOU SUCK!!"
And, of course, I visited all my instructors and told them what I was up to. It's a little daunting talking to them. Every time I think I've got this industry figured out, they let me in on a little more. I can't shake this feeling that I'm on the edge of a much larger world; one that, despite my best efforts, I still barely comprehend.
That, or I'm just jealous because one of my fellow practicum students has just started a bidding war. Stations from all over North America are now competing to get her. People are flying out to woo her.... Damn, I'm jealous.
Anywho, today's movie news. 20th Century Fox has just picked up the movie rights to the Dr. Seuss classic Horton Hears a Who. Fox is passing this off to Blue Sky, the studio that made Ice Age and Robots. That's right, Horton will be a CGI movie. It should be noted that this is the last Dr. Seuss movie to get a big screen treatment. After how disastrous the Cat in the Hat turned out, the estate of Dr. Seuss said, "That's it! No more movies!"
Next Issue...Workin Workin Workin Workin
Anyway, I got yesterday off and went back to school for the day. I had a scholarship cheque waiting for me, plus I voted in the advance polls for the student union elections. "You're the first person to vote," they told me. I also feel like writing a column about this and submitting it to the school paper. "I took a day off from work and drove three hours to vote. If you couldn't take two minutes out of your day as you walking down to the Common Market for lunch, well, YOU SUCK!!"
And, of course, I visited all my instructors and told them what I was up to. It's a little daunting talking to them. Every time I think I've got this industry figured out, they let me in on a little more. I can't shake this feeling that I'm on the edge of a much larger world; one that, despite my best efforts, I still barely comprehend.
That, or I'm just jealous because one of my fellow practicum students has just started a bidding war. Stations from all over North America are now competing to get her. People are flying out to woo her.... Damn, I'm jealous.
Anywho, today's movie news. 20th Century Fox has just picked up the movie rights to the Dr. Seuss classic Horton Hears a Who. Fox is passing this off to Blue Sky, the studio that made Ice Age and Robots. That's right, Horton will be a CGI movie. It should be noted that this is the last Dr. Seuss movie to get a big screen treatment. After how disastrous the Cat in the Hat turned out, the estate of Dr. Seuss said, "That's it! No more movies!"
Next Issue...Workin Workin Workin Workin
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Latest column's up! This week, I tell you What Would Make Me Swear Off Fast Food:
" Call me silly, but at fast food restaurants, I have become accustomed to clerks saying, “Hello! What can I get for you today?” I stand and wait for the clerk to ask that. Instead, she says nothing. She just glares at me. I smile politely, waiting to be acknowledged. She locks eyes with me and scowls. I start to feel her eyes boring their way through my skull. The moment is turning awkward. I continue smiling. What was once a simple restaurant transaction has become a battle of wills. I stand, waiting for one of us to crack. Will she finally buckle and say, “Can I take your order?” Will I break down and just blurt out, “I’d like a cheeseburger combo, please!” We stand and stare at each other. "
Read the whole thing!
" Call me silly, but at fast food restaurants, I have become accustomed to clerks saying, “Hello! What can I get for you today?” I stand and wait for the clerk to ask that. Instead, she says nothing. She just glares at me. I smile politely, waiting to be acknowledged. She locks eyes with me and scowls. I start to feel her eyes boring their way through my skull. The moment is turning awkward. I continue smiling. What was once a simple restaurant transaction has become a battle of wills. I stand, waiting for one of us to crack. Will she finally buckle and say, “Can I take your order?” Will I break down and just blurt out, “I’d like a cheeseburger combo, please!” We stand and stare at each other. "
Read the whole thing!
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Yay! Last night, YTV finally started showing the season finale of Justice League, be it 2 months late. Last night was The Once and Future Thing part 1: Weird Western Tales. Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern track a time-travelling villain to the old west. They arrive in the past 6 months after the villain, where they learn that the time traveller promptly had his time machine stolen by an outlaw, and now the outlaw has used the time machine to gather technology from all across the timeline and is now using it to conquer the old west. So, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern team up with a bunch of Western heroes from DC's cowboy comic days and set about liberating the old west. Great quotes:
First putting on western garb to fit in:
Wonder Woman>> These boots are so uncomfortable.
Batman>> You fight crime in high heels.
Wonder Woman>> High heels that fit.
Riding off to the villain's stronghold:
Cowboy hero Bat Lash>> Now, be careful. There's been lots of unusual activity in these parts.
Green Lantern>> No offence, but we have lots of experience with...
(Green Lantern sees a cowboy fly by on a pterodactyl)
Green Lantern>> Um...you were saying?
Anyway, looking forward to next week's part 2, where Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern follow this villain to the future, and they team up with the future Justice Leage we saw on Batman Beyond. I've already read a synopsis online:
Batman Beyond>> Bruce Wayne...Batman. Batman...Bruce Wayne. Or have you two already met?
Batman and old Bruce Wayne (in unison)>> NOT NOW!
Batman Beyond>> I think this is what they used to call "stereo."
Meanwhile, over in DVD news, Paramount has finally announced the 2-disc super-special edition of Star Trek: Insurrection. It hits store shelves on June 7. Among your bonus features:
- 7 featurettes about the making of the film
- 2 featurettes on the Star Trek universe, one of which is a tribute to Michael Westmore
- 3 featurettes on the special effects
- and 7 deleted scenes, including the original ending with Quark's cameo
And don't forget that the 2-disc special edition of First Contact comes out on the 15th.
Next Issue...Buck Off
First putting on western garb to fit in:
Wonder Woman>> These boots are so uncomfortable.
Batman>> You fight crime in high heels.
Wonder Woman>> High heels that fit.
Riding off to the villain's stronghold:
Cowboy hero Bat Lash>> Now, be careful. There's been lots of unusual activity in these parts.
Green Lantern>> No offence, but we have lots of experience with...
(Green Lantern sees a cowboy fly by on a pterodactyl)
Green Lantern>> Um...you were saying?
Anyway, looking forward to next week's part 2, where Batman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern follow this villain to the future, and they team up with the future Justice Leage we saw on Batman Beyond. I've already read a synopsis online:
Batman Beyond>> Bruce Wayne...Batman. Batman...Bruce Wayne. Or have you two already met?
Batman and old Bruce Wayne (in unison)>> NOT NOW!
Batman Beyond>> I think this is what they used to call "stereo."
Meanwhile, over in DVD news, Paramount has finally announced the 2-disc super-special edition of Star Trek: Insurrection. It hits store shelves on June 7. Among your bonus features:
- 7 featurettes about the making of the film
- 2 featurettes on the Star Trek universe, one of which is a tribute to Michael Westmore
- 3 featurettes on the special effects
- and 7 deleted scenes, including the original ending with Quark's cameo
And don't forget that the 2-disc special edition of First Contact comes out on the 15th.
Next Issue...Buck Off
Friday, March 04, 2005
Killing time before work. Actually, I just watched the trailer for one movie I'm semi-curious about this summer. Disney felt it was about time for another Herbie the Love Bug movie, so this June, we're going to be getting Herbie: Fully Loaded. Ehh, looks like no suprises in the trailer. The standard Heribe formula: race car driver, down on his luck, stumbles upon an old VW bug that seems to be magic. Only he seems to know that this bug is magic, so with its help, he wins the big race and turns his life around. Looks to be not so much a remake of the original, as the 25 year late next film in the franchise. The new twists:
- This time, the donw on his luck driver is a family of drivers! The patriarch is Michael Keaton, and Herbie's new driver, the one who knows Herbie is magic, is tween idol Lindsey Lohan™. (Lindsey Lohan © and ™ the Walt Disney Company)
- The slimy rival driver is Matt Dillon
- The race circuit is NASCAR
- And, thanks to advances in CGI, Herbie is more expressive than ever.
Only two things in the trailer made me giggle. One is when Dillon is trying to figure out what's up with Herbie. He opens the hood, looks at the engine, and Herbie squirts oil in his face. In frustation, he pounds Herbie on the trunk and says, "How do you that, huh?" So, Herbie pops his trunk and nails Dillon in the chin. While flat on his butt, Herbie proceeds to "growl" at Dillon. That's classic Herbie.
The second one is a joke that you know had to happen. Herbie is "checking out" one of the new VW Bugs, and obviously falling in love. Lohan notices this and says to Herbie, "Forget it. She's too young for you." Herbie is heartbroken. Yes, Herbie is still a classic bug.
Anyway, it'll be an entertaining afternoon for my neice and nephew.
Actually, I love the story of how a new Herbie movie came about. About 3 or 4 years ago, branding was the big business buzz word. That's when Disney started turning all their theme park rides into movies; because they were established brand names. While all his execs were busy pitching It's a Small World After All: The Movie, Michael Eisner said, "Why not a new Love Bug movie?" and made it a top priority.
Next Issue...Frietag
- This time, the donw on his luck driver is a family of drivers! The patriarch is Michael Keaton, and Herbie's new driver, the one who knows Herbie is magic, is tween idol Lindsey Lohan™. (Lindsey Lohan © and ™ the Walt Disney Company)
- The slimy rival driver is Matt Dillon
- The race circuit is NASCAR
- And, thanks to advances in CGI, Herbie is more expressive than ever.
Only two things in the trailer made me giggle. One is when Dillon is trying to figure out what's up with Herbie. He opens the hood, looks at the engine, and Herbie squirts oil in his face. In frustation, he pounds Herbie on the trunk and says, "How do you that, huh?" So, Herbie pops his trunk and nails Dillon in the chin. While flat on his butt, Herbie proceeds to "growl" at Dillon. That's classic Herbie.
The second one is a joke that you know had to happen. Herbie is "checking out" one of the new VW Bugs, and obviously falling in love. Lohan notices this and says to Herbie, "Forget it. She's too young for you." Herbie is heartbroken. Yes, Herbie is still a classic bug.
Anyway, it'll be an entertaining afternoon for my neice and nephew.
Actually, I love the story of how a new Herbie movie came about. About 3 or 4 years ago, branding was the big business buzz word. That's when Disney started turning all their theme park rides into movies; because they were established brand names. While all his execs were busy pitching It's a Small World After All: The Movie, Michael Eisner said, "Why not a new Love Bug movie?" and made it a top priority.
Next Issue...Frietag
Thursday, March 03, 2005
The wheels are in motion.
On Wednesday, I'm going to be roaring back to NAIT to take care of some very special business.
I'm voting in the students association elections.
You might be thinking, "WTF, Mark. It's just a silly little students union." Oh, I beg to differ. I still take my student politics rather seriously, especially now that I've discovered that Dwayne Williams - the current students assocaition president - is running unopposed for re-election. Now, Dwayne's a nice enough guy. Lord knows I interviewed him enough for the paper and my radio news class last semester. So, I also know enough about him to have the same problem with him that I had with an old Augustana Students Union president, a fella by the name of Stewart Prest. He's more style than substance, and in the end, that's not a way to run a governemnt.
And besides, as one of my contemparies told me last year, "Mark, take the position of NAITSA president seriously. It does do real work, and there's a very hefty salary that comes with it."
So, I think that any election should be taken seriously.
Besides, with all the students that technical institutes send out on practicums and all that, I find it shocking that NAITSA has no absentee voting system in place. I've already been e-mailing NAITSA's COO about this. He tells me that they've looked into Internet voting, but in their consultations with other schools that have tried it, they find that it's still too buggy. But still, what's wrong with a good old fashioned mail-in ballot?
Next Issue...The Road to Vote
On Wednesday, I'm going to be roaring back to NAIT to take care of some very special business.
I'm voting in the students association elections.
You might be thinking, "WTF, Mark. It's just a silly little students union." Oh, I beg to differ. I still take my student politics rather seriously, especially now that I've discovered that Dwayne Williams - the current students assocaition president - is running unopposed for re-election. Now, Dwayne's a nice enough guy. Lord knows I interviewed him enough for the paper and my radio news class last semester. So, I also know enough about him to have the same problem with him that I had with an old Augustana Students Union president, a fella by the name of Stewart Prest. He's more style than substance, and in the end, that's not a way to run a governemnt.
And besides, as one of my contemparies told me last year, "Mark, take the position of NAITSA president seriously. It does do real work, and there's a very hefty salary that comes with it."
So, I think that any election should be taken seriously.
Besides, with all the students that technical institutes send out on practicums and all that, I find it shocking that NAITSA has no absentee voting system in place. I've already been e-mailing NAITSA's COO about this. He tells me that they've looked into Internet voting, but in their consultations with other schools that have tried it, they find that it's still too buggy. But still, what's wrong with a good old fashioned mail-in ballot?
Next Issue...The Road to Vote
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Wow. I just can't believe this. A trio of aerospace engineers stepped forward and donated $3 million to the "Save Enterprise" campaigns. I'm sorry, but aren't there charities much more deserving of $3 mllion than a push to save a sub-par sci-fi show? Like getting the Babylon 5 movie off the ground.
Anyway, I did manage to catch the final episode of NYPD Blue last night. It ended just as Dad and I predicted. Main character Det. Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) got his promotion and became commander of the squad of detectives. The entire final episode was about his first day as commander and dealing with the trails and tribulations of command as he dealt with a high profile murder.
Kind of reminds me of Fry's quote from Futurama: "People don't want clever and unexpected things on television. Clever makes them feel stupid, and unexpected makes them afraid."
Actually, read a great quote from creator Steven Bochco about how he knew it was time to end the show: "I think we could have gone for another year or two, but I don't mind leaving the party an hour early. I'd much rather leave an hour early than an hour late."
Next Issue...Dead Tired
Anyway, I did manage to catch the final episode of NYPD Blue last night. It ended just as Dad and I predicted. Main character Det. Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) got his promotion and became commander of the squad of detectives. The entire final episode was about his first day as commander and dealing with the trails and tribulations of command as he dealt with a high profile murder.
Kind of reminds me of Fry's quote from Futurama: "People don't want clever and unexpected things on television. Clever makes them feel stupid, and unexpected makes them afraid."
Actually, read a great quote from creator Steven Bochco about how he knew it was time to end the show: "I think we could have gone for another year or two, but I don't mind leaving the party an hour early. I'd much rather leave an hour early than an hour late."
Next Issue...Dead Tired
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE GOOD...
A guy in my building stopped me in the lobby to tell me he listens to me on the radio!
...WITH THE BAD
He then ranted for 10 minutes about how much I suck.
Anyway, a quick reminder (for Dad). Tonight is the final episode of my Dad's all-time favourite TV show, NYPD Blue. The show gained headlines in its first season for its foul language and gratuitous bare butts. Yup, all the actor's had a "nudity clause" in their contract, another reason the show gained infamy. Creator Steven Bochco didn't understand the fuss, simply saying that he wanted to do an R-rated police drama for TV. But, it was a critical and ratings hit, and went on to be a huge hit and get all kinds of awards.
Tonight's finale is a 3-hour spectacular: a 1-hour retrospective, followed by the 2-hour final episode. The show's been on for 12 years.
Mark
A guy in my building stopped me in the lobby to tell me he listens to me on the radio!
...WITH THE BAD
He then ranted for 10 minutes about how much I suck.
Anyway, a quick reminder (for Dad). Tonight is the final episode of my Dad's all-time favourite TV show, NYPD Blue. The show gained headlines in its first season for its foul language and gratuitous bare butts. Yup, all the actor's had a "nudity clause" in their contract, another reason the show gained infamy. Creator Steven Bochco didn't understand the fuss, simply saying that he wanted to do an R-rated police drama for TV. But, it was a critical and ratings hit, and went on to be a huge hit and get all kinds of awards.
Tonight's finale is a 3-hour spectacular: a 1-hour retrospective, followed by the 2-hour final episode. The show's been on for 12 years.
Mark
Monday, February 28, 2005
Guess I should comment on the Oscars last night.
- Yay! Brad Bird won for the Incredibles! Was there ever any doubt?
And that's really the only comment I have to make. When it comes to predicting the winner for Best Animated Film, I now have an unbeaten streak since the category began. Woo!
Also, last night, I got to watch the much hyped Enterprise episode, Divergence. This resolved last week's cliffhanger and finally explained why Klingons on the original series didn't have bumpy foreheads. You know, this really is something where I wouldn't have minded if they never bothered to explain it. We all understand that they didn't have the budget back in 1966 for bumpy foreheads.
But anyway, if you care, it goes like this: After having a run-in with augments (Khan's genetically enhanced type), the Klingons figured they should create Klingon augments. Side effect of the augmentations: no bumpy foreheads. But, one problem. The Klingon's fiddling created a super-deadly virus that was moving to wipe out the Klingon empire. Dr. Phlox was abducted to develop a cure. And the cure he developed included modifying the Klingon augmentation process to make Klingons resistant to the plague. Plague was cured, but the cure's side effect: no bumpy foreheads.
I'm conflicted. Yeah, the fans are going, "This season ROCKS!! They're finally answering questions like this and turning Enterprise into a true prequel series!" But...but...the sad truth is, Enterprise was never created to be a true prequel series. The idea of setting it before Picard, Kirk, et al was to get continuity off the writers' backs. Plus, with no burden of continuity, bring in new fans.
So, I'm not sure all this continuity whoring is doing anything to win new fans. If anything, it's winning back the fans who were turned off.
But I will admit, the opening special effects sequence will be talked about for years to come. Last week's cliffhanger: The Enterprise had its warp engines sabotaged by Klingon augments. Now, Enterprise is careening through space at maximum warp like a runaway train. The only man who can fix the problem is Trip, and he just transferred to Enterprise's just-launched sister ship, Columbia. So, the problem: how do we get Trip onto the out-of-control Enterprise? Can't use the transporters at warp. And at those speeds, using shuttlecraft or docking is just far too risky. The only option: a space walk at warp speed.
So, we get this spectacular effects sequence of Enterprise and Columbia flying one on top of the other, as a cable is strung between the two and Trip crawls along the cable. It was pretty cool.
Next issue...the Wrath of Kwan
- Yay! Brad Bird won for the Incredibles! Was there ever any doubt?
And that's really the only comment I have to make. When it comes to predicting the winner for Best Animated Film, I now have an unbeaten streak since the category began. Woo!
Also, last night, I got to watch the much hyped Enterprise episode, Divergence. This resolved last week's cliffhanger and finally explained why Klingons on the original series didn't have bumpy foreheads. You know, this really is something where I wouldn't have minded if they never bothered to explain it. We all understand that they didn't have the budget back in 1966 for bumpy foreheads.
But anyway, if you care, it goes like this: After having a run-in with augments (Khan's genetically enhanced type), the Klingons figured they should create Klingon augments. Side effect of the augmentations: no bumpy foreheads. But, one problem. The Klingon's fiddling created a super-deadly virus that was moving to wipe out the Klingon empire. Dr. Phlox was abducted to develop a cure. And the cure he developed included modifying the Klingon augmentation process to make Klingons resistant to the plague. Plague was cured, but the cure's side effect: no bumpy foreheads.
I'm conflicted. Yeah, the fans are going, "This season ROCKS!! They're finally answering questions like this and turning Enterprise into a true prequel series!" But...but...the sad truth is, Enterprise was never created to be a true prequel series. The idea of setting it before Picard, Kirk, et al was to get continuity off the writers' backs. Plus, with no burden of continuity, bring in new fans.
So, I'm not sure all this continuity whoring is doing anything to win new fans. If anything, it's winning back the fans who were turned off.
But I will admit, the opening special effects sequence will be talked about for years to come. Last week's cliffhanger: The Enterprise had its warp engines sabotaged by Klingon augments. Now, Enterprise is careening through space at maximum warp like a runaway train. The only man who can fix the problem is Trip, and he just transferred to Enterprise's just-launched sister ship, Columbia. So, the problem: how do we get Trip onto the out-of-control Enterprise? Can't use the transporters at warp. And at those speeds, using shuttlecraft or docking is just far too risky. The only option: a space walk at warp speed.
So, we get this spectacular effects sequence of Enterprise and Columbia flying one on top of the other, as a cable is strung between the two and Trip crawls along the cable. It was pretty cool.
Next issue...the Wrath of Kwan
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Latest column's up! Yeah, it's early, but I want to get to that TV in the lounge and dedicate my evening to watching the Oscars. This week, I wonder Has the Time Come?
"I’ve lamented in the past how it seems that the mom and pop toy stores of my youth are no more. Every small town mall across the country used to have at least one small toy store, but now, the malls sit empty. What happened to all the toy stores? Were they victims of the ultra-low toy departments of departments stores? Did the big box retailers come in and swallow them up? No matter. Perhaps they are something whose time has passed. And, instead of mourning their loss, we should be thinking about their reinvention."
Click here to read it all!
Next Issue...Go Brad Bird!
"I’ve lamented in the past how it seems that the mom and pop toy stores of my youth are no more. Every small town mall across the country used to have at least one small toy store, but now, the malls sit empty. What happened to all the toy stores? Were they victims of the ultra-low toy departments of departments stores? Did the big box retailers come in and swallow them up? No matter. Perhaps they are something whose time has passed. And, instead of mourning their loss, we should be thinking about their reinvention."
Click here to read it all!
Next Issue...Go Brad Bird!
Saturday, February 26, 2005
So, here I am, re-reading ToyFare for the 100th time, listening to music, jumping on and off line to read articles and e-mail people, staring at a blank page, wanting to write this week's column but the muse just ain't singing to me.
In other words, just another TV-less Saturday night in Cold Lake.
I don't know why, but I've been obsessing on playing cards lately. Maybe it has something to do with poker suddenly being the "in" thing. When I went home for the Family Day weekend, I had to go digging through my junk drawers to find my decks of cards. I own three decks:
Batman: The Animated Series playing cards - Given to me by my sister one rainy afternoon at my grandparents. They kept us amused for that afternoon.
X-Men playing cards - Given to me by Mr. Anderson's girlfriend (Yves) as we were waiting in line to see...X-Men.
Star Wars: Episode I playing cards - Stuffed in my Easter basket one spring.
I guess I should learn how play poker. Or at least solitare. It'd give me something to do on these TV-less Saturday nights.
Next Issue...Solitare's more fun with two
In other words, just another TV-less Saturday night in Cold Lake.
I don't know why, but I've been obsessing on playing cards lately. Maybe it has something to do with poker suddenly being the "in" thing. When I went home for the Family Day weekend, I had to go digging through my junk drawers to find my decks of cards. I own three decks:
Batman: The Animated Series playing cards - Given to me by my sister one rainy afternoon at my grandparents. They kept us amused for that afternoon.
X-Men playing cards - Given to me by Mr. Anderson's girlfriend (Yves) as we were waiting in line to see...X-Men.
Star Wars: Episode I playing cards - Stuffed in my Easter basket one spring.
I guess I should learn how play poker. Or at least solitare. It'd give me something to do on these TV-less Saturday nights.
Next Issue...Solitare's more fun with two
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Well, the big news today...Quentin Tarintino will be directing the season finale of CSI: Crime Scene Investigations. Turns out Tarintino has been a big fan since the first season, and negotiations to get him to direct an episode have been going on ever since. The episode, while written by CSI creator Anthony Zuiker, CSI spinoffs creator Carol Mendelsohn, and CSI writer Naren Shankar, is based on an idea that Tarintino pitched. The episode will air May 19.
This isn't Tarintino's first foray into TV. He directed an episode of ER, back when that show was hot and fresh, and he's made a guest shot on Alias. He was also in negotiations once to do an episode of the X-Files but that fell through.
And got some good DVD news today. Look like work has finally begun on a super-special edition of Titanic. This'll follow the same model as The Lord of the Rings. That is, there'll be a 2-disc special edition with a nice selection of bonus stuff, and then a 4-disc super duper mega edition with absolutly everything related to the making of the film. They're shooting for a fourth quarter release, meaning you can give it to me for Christmas.
Oh, and one last bit. Because of the success of Clerks X, Kevin Smith has been running around saying he's going to do Mallrats X and Chasing Amy X.
Next Issue...Less DVDs Please
This isn't Tarintino's first foray into TV. He directed an episode of ER, back when that show was hot and fresh, and he's made a guest shot on Alias. He was also in negotiations once to do an episode of the X-Files but that fell through.
And got some good DVD news today. Look like work has finally begun on a super-special edition of Titanic. This'll follow the same model as The Lord of the Rings. That is, there'll be a 2-disc special edition with a nice selection of bonus stuff, and then a 4-disc super duper mega edition with absolutly everything related to the making of the film. They're shooting for a fourth quarter release, meaning you can give it to me for Christmas.
Oh, and one last bit. Because of the success of Clerks X, Kevin Smith has been running around saying he's going to do Mallrats X and Chasing Amy X.
Next Issue...Less DVDs Please
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
I don't know how much time I have left.
Man, I love cryptic opening lines.
What I mean is my laptop is starting to make the same...hiccups that my old laptop used to make shortly before it broke down. I don't know how much longer my laptop has. I personally think it has something to do with those two viruses my computer has picked up, but my computer keeps mysteriously shutting down before a scan can be completed.
Just giving you the heads up, in case things go from bad to worse in the not to distant future.
Anyway, I have to get back in the groove of doing this. Here's today's (Tuesday's) hot new DVD releases! AS always, this is just cut and pasted from Cinescape so I can read it on the air.
EDISON: THE INVENTION OF THE MOVIES (Kino) Where did movies come from? Thomas Edison had more to do with the technical and marketing development of the motion picture than any other individual, and his work is celebrated in this special 4-disc set, which includes over 140(!) films produced by his company between 1891 and 1918, and two hours of interviews with experts. See! The premiere of one of the earliest films ever made, rescued from the Edison lab! See! An 1895 SOUND film! See! A full color 1906 short! Plus early stop-motion, the first tracking shot, early trick films, and more!
GET SHORTY Collector’s Edition (MGM) Just in time for the sequel!
HEAT (Warner Bros.) Underrated Michael Mann action thriller in which L.A. cop Al Pacino tries to keep master thief Robert De Niro from knocking over an armored car. Special edition features additional scenes, commentrak, featurettes and more.
I HEART HUCKABEES (Fox) Frustrated activist Jason Schwartzman employs existential investigators Lily Tomlin and Dustin Hoffman to look into apparent synchronicities, sparking a chain reaction of unusual events in this terrific comedy from David O. Russell. Also available in a 2-disc special edition that includes 2 commentraks, deleted scenes, gag reel, outtakes, featurettes and more. 2-disc special edition also includes more featurettes, Charlie Rose interviewing Russell, deleted scenes, outtakes, music video and more.
PROJECT X (Anchor Bay) Matthew Broderick tries to help chimps trained to fly fighter jets in this silly 1987 adventure. (Saw this movie a lot when I was a kid.)
THE CAT RETURNS (Buena Vista) When a girl saves a stray cat, he turns out to be a Cat King that rewards her generosity in this Studio Ghibli feature. With Making-Of and more.
NAUSICAÄ IN THE VALLEY OF THE WIND (Buena Vista) 1984 classic from anime master Hayao Miyazaki in which a warrior princess battles an invasion of big bugs. Includes featurettes and complete storyboards.
PORCO ROSSO (Buena Vista) Whimsical adventure comedy from Hayao Miyazaki set in an aviation-mad world where a pilot cursed to look like a pig is a great hero. Includes featurettes and complete storyboards.
SOUTH PARK: Complete Fifth Season (Paramount) Just when you think a series should be losing steam - more classic episodes! With commentraks and more. Also available bundled with the first four seasons.
STRIPPERELLA: Season One Uncensored (Paramount) Pamela Anderson voices this satirical stripper/superhero for 13 episodes. (This is a mind-numbingly dumb cartoon. I'm constantly amazed at the A-list of animation talent that went into it.)
Next Issue...The End...?
Man, I love cryptic opening lines.
What I mean is my laptop is starting to make the same...hiccups that my old laptop used to make shortly before it broke down. I don't know how much longer my laptop has. I personally think it has something to do with those two viruses my computer has picked up, but my computer keeps mysteriously shutting down before a scan can be completed.
Just giving you the heads up, in case things go from bad to worse in the not to distant future.
Anyway, I have to get back in the groove of doing this. Here's today's (Tuesday's) hot new DVD releases! AS always, this is just cut and pasted from Cinescape so I can read it on the air.
EDISON: THE INVENTION OF THE MOVIES (Kino) Where did movies come from? Thomas Edison had more to do with the technical and marketing development of the motion picture than any other individual, and his work is celebrated in this special 4-disc set, which includes over 140(!) films produced by his company between 1891 and 1918, and two hours of interviews with experts. See! The premiere of one of the earliest films ever made, rescued from the Edison lab! See! An 1895 SOUND film! See! A full color 1906 short! Plus early stop-motion, the first tracking shot, early trick films, and more!
GET SHORTY Collector’s Edition (MGM) Just in time for the sequel!
HEAT (Warner Bros.) Underrated Michael Mann action thriller in which L.A. cop Al Pacino tries to keep master thief Robert De Niro from knocking over an armored car. Special edition features additional scenes, commentrak, featurettes and more.
I HEART HUCKABEES (Fox) Frustrated activist Jason Schwartzman employs existential investigators Lily Tomlin and Dustin Hoffman to look into apparent synchronicities, sparking a chain reaction of unusual events in this terrific comedy from David O. Russell. Also available in a 2-disc special edition that includes 2 commentraks, deleted scenes, gag reel, outtakes, featurettes and more. 2-disc special edition also includes more featurettes, Charlie Rose interviewing Russell, deleted scenes, outtakes, music video and more.
PROJECT X (Anchor Bay) Matthew Broderick tries to help chimps trained to fly fighter jets in this silly 1987 adventure. (Saw this movie a lot when I was a kid.)
THE CAT RETURNS (Buena Vista) When a girl saves a stray cat, he turns out to be a Cat King that rewards her generosity in this Studio Ghibli feature. With Making-Of and more.
NAUSICAÄ IN THE VALLEY OF THE WIND (Buena Vista) 1984 classic from anime master Hayao Miyazaki in which a warrior princess battles an invasion of big bugs. Includes featurettes and complete storyboards.
PORCO ROSSO (Buena Vista) Whimsical adventure comedy from Hayao Miyazaki set in an aviation-mad world where a pilot cursed to look like a pig is a great hero. Includes featurettes and complete storyboards.
SOUTH PARK: Complete Fifth Season (Paramount) Just when you think a series should be losing steam - more classic episodes! With commentraks and more. Also available bundled with the first four seasons.
STRIPPERELLA: Season One Uncensored (Paramount) Pamela Anderson voices this satirical stripper/superhero for 13 episodes. (This is a mind-numbingly dumb cartoon. I'm constantly amazed at the A-list of animation talent that went into it.)
Next Issue...The End...?
Monday, February 21, 2005
A day late, but here it is! This week, we've got An Argument for Nothing:
" The concept of busy is a peculiar one indeed. We tend to spend most of our lives running around, doing tasks we don’t want to do and are even less qualified to perform, all so we can look at our friends and family and say, “I am so busy!” But why do we do it? Why do we fill our days with repetitive job after repetitive job? What are we trying to prove?"
Read it all!
" The concept of busy is a peculiar one indeed. We tend to spend most of our lives running around, doing tasks we don’t want to do and are even less qualified to perform, all so we can look at our friends and family and say, “I am so busy!” But why do we do it? Why do we fill our days with repetitive job after repetitive job? What are we trying to prove?"
Read it all!
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Firstly, sorry, but the column's going to be a day late this week. Why? Because the station was kind enough to give me the long weekend off, so I went home to Entwistle. Greetings from the basement!
But there is some good. On my way back, managed to stop at Future Shop and get my whole Lord of the Rings trilogy. *Really* wanted the boxed set, but because I couldn't find it on Boxing Day, I snapped up Fellowship thinking, "Guess I have to buy them individually." And then, the boxed set came out on February 8. But, at least with that, the individual films were marked down to a new, lower price, so I managed to fish Two Towers and Return of the King out of the discout bin. Still got a cool $35 on my Christmas gift card.
It's amazing how much the "wait for the boxed set" mentality is gripping the DVD community. Back when Star Wars came out in September, a lot of my friends at school said, "Nope. I'm not buying it. I'm gonna wait until Episode III comes out, then I'll buy the boxed set of all 6 films." Which was really, kinda, George Lucas's original logic for not wanting to release the films on DVD in the first place.
I'm still gripped by that mentality, though. Saving my pennies right now so I can get The Matrix boxed set, and I'm patiently waiting for the Kill Bill boxed set. This fall, they say.
Anyway, who watched Enterprise back on Friday? They finally explained why Klingons on the original series don't have bumpy foreheads. As you may recall, earlier this season, some augments (Kahn's genetically enhanced breed of humans) went on a rampage and took out a Klingon Bird of Prey. Apparently, this freaked out the Klingons. So, they got their hands on some augment embryos, did a little reverse engineering, and voila! Genetically augmented Klingons, designed to deal with humans. And the side effect: no bumpy foreheads.
Anyway, the whole plot of the show was how this genetic engineering done by the Klingons accidentally created a super-virus, so the Klingons abducted Dr. Phlox to develop a cure. Enterprise is in hot pursuit. Meanwhile, Starfleet's shadowy secret police, Section 31, seems to be involved somehow, and we've leared that Lt. Reed is actually a founding agent! (Although, he's going through a bit of the angtsy, "I keep trying to get out, but they keep pulling me back in!")
I don't know if Enterprise actually has gotten better this season, or if all the continuity whoring to win back the fans just makes it seem better.
Oh, and before I go, a little DVD tidbit. As I'm sure I've said before, Tuesday is when Disney releases their latest batch of dubbed Studio Ghibli films: Naussica of the Valley of the Wind, Porco Rosso and The Cat Retursn. With these DVDs, Disney is setting up a mail-away offer. Buy all 3, and you can get a free copy of either Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service or Castle in the Sky. So if you don't own any of the Disney dubbed Ghibli films, here's your chance to buy three and get one free.
Next Issue...Next Column
But there is some good. On my way back, managed to stop at Future Shop and get my whole Lord of the Rings trilogy. *Really* wanted the boxed set, but because I couldn't find it on Boxing Day, I snapped up Fellowship thinking, "Guess I have to buy them individually." And then, the boxed set came out on February 8. But, at least with that, the individual films were marked down to a new, lower price, so I managed to fish Two Towers and Return of the King out of the discout bin. Still got a cool $35 on my Christmas gift card.
It's amazing how much the "wait for the boxed set" mentality is gripping the DVD community. Back when Star Wars came out in September, a lot of my friends at school said, "Nope. I'm not buying it. I'm gonna wait until Episode III comes out, then I'll buy the boxed set of all 6 films." Which was really, kinda, George Lucas's original logic for not wanting to release the films on DVD in the first place.
I'm still gripped by that mentality, though. Saving my pennies right now so I can get The Matrix boxed set, and I'm patiently waiting for the Kill Bill boxed set. This fall, they say.
Anyway, who watched Enterprise back on Friday? They finally explained why Klingons on the original series don't have bumpy foreheads. As you may recall, earlier this season, some augments (Kahn's genetically enhanced breed of humans) went on a rampage and took out a Klingon Bird of Prey. Apparently, this freaked out the Klingons. So, they got their hands on some augment embryos, did a little reverse engineering, and voila! Genetically augmented Klingons, designed to deal with humans. And the side effect: no bumpy foreheads.
Anyway, the whole plot of the show was how this genetic engineering done by the Klingons accidentally created a super-virus, so the Klingons abducted Dr. Phlox to develop a cure. Enterprise is in hot pursuit. Meanwhile, Starfleet's shadowy secret police, Section 31, seems to be involved somehow, and we've leared that Lt. Reed is actually a founding agent! (Although, he's going through a bit of the angtsy, "I keep trying to get out, but they keep pulling me back in!")
I don't know if Enterprise actually has gotten better this season, or if all the continuity whoring to win back the fans just makes it seem better.
Oh, and before I go, a little DVD tidbit. As I'm sure I've said before, Tuesday is when Disney releases their latest batch of dubbed Studio Ghibli films: Naussica of the Valley of the Wind, Porco Rosso and The Cat Retursn. With these DVDs, Disney is setting up a mail-away offer. Buy all 3, and you can get a free copy of either Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service or Castle in the Sky. So if you don't own any of the Disney dubbed Ghibli films, here's your chance to buy three and get one free.
Next Issue...Next Column
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Wow. Just wow.
If you have access to the LA Times, be sure to pick up today's copy. Enterprise fans from around the world put their money together and put a full-page ad in today's edition of the LA Times, urging fans from all over the USA to send in a letter to the head of the UPN Network to renew the show.
And that's not all. They're also planning protests. The first protest will be on Monday in New York City, in front of Viacom's world HQ (Viacom is the parent company of Paramount, and Star Trek.) The next protest is scheduled for Friday the 25th, and it'll be in Hollywood, in front of the landmark Paramount front gates. There's even a rumour going around that, if the Hollywood protest is big enough and loud enough, that the cast of Enterprise might even come out to say hello.
You know, I love to see this kind of democracy in action. But doing it over a cancelled TV show...isn't that a bit much?
Anyway, today Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys mades its DVD debut. That would be movie #7. We've known for a while that it takes place in a city based on Vancouver, and it shows. There's segments of the movie where I was going, "Dude, that's Stanley Park. The Pokemon Center is the Vancouver Library. Whoa! The villain's lair is Science World!" Obviously, the film's creators visitied the same tourist spots I did.
Another interesting facet of the film has to do with the subplot. It caused a bit of a stir in the poke-community when it was learned that this would be the first Pokemon film without a Pikachu short film. (And, as it's the longest Pokemon film, I can see why they decided to drop it.) So, it's interesting to see how they work the hijinks associated with the short films into the subplot.
It was pretty good, though...as far as the Pokemon films go. I'm still wondering if I should do a proper review for the main site.
Next Issue...Destiny Markoxis
If you have access to the LA Times, be sure to pick up today's copy. Enterprise fans from around the world put their money together and put a full-page ad in today's edition of the LA Times, urging fans from all over the USA to send in a letter to the head of the UPN Network to renew the show.
And that's not all. They're also planning protests. The first protest will be on Monday in New York City, in front of Viacom's world HQ (Viacom is the parent company of Paramount, and Star Trek.) The next protest is scheduled for Friday the 25th, and it'll be in Hollywood, in front of the landmark Paramount front gates. There's even a rumour going around that, if the Hollywood protest is big enough and loud enough, that the cast of Enterprise might even come out to say hello.
You know, I love to see this kind of democracy in action. But doing it over a cancelled TV show...isn't that a bit much?
Anyway, today Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys mades its DVD debut. That would be movie #7. We've known for a while that it takes place in a city based on Vancouver, and it shows. There's segments of the movie where I was going, "Dude, that's Stanley Park. The Pokemon Center is the Vancouver Library. Whoa! The villain's lair is Science World!" Obviously, the film's creators visitied the same tourist spots I did.
Another interesting facet of the film has to do with the subplot. It caused a bit of a stir in the poke-community when it was learned that this would be the first Pokemon film without a Pikachu short film. (And, as it's the longest Pokemon film, I can see why they decided to drop it.) So, it's interesting to see how they work the hijinks associated with the short films into the subplot.
It was pretty good, though...as far as the Pokemon films go. I'm still wondering if I should do a proper review for the main site.
Next Issue...Destiny Markoxis
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Latest column's up! In this exciting installment, I exact my Final Revenge:
"JOE: Just wait, though. I’ve got two very important pieces of advice for you.
JANE: Oh?
JOE: In the interview, they’re going to ask you two questions. I know the answers you must give to get the most out of the company, and the most out of your time in Japan.
JANE: Dude! I’m all ears. What should I say?"
It's one of those "all dialogue" pieces that Mr. Anderson likes. Read it read it gotta read it all!
Next Issue...Poigniancy
"JOE: Just wait, though. I’ve got two very important pieces of advice for you.
JANE: Oh?
JOE: In the interview, they’re going to ask you two questions. I know the answers you must give to get the most out of the company, and the most out of your time in Japan.
JANE: Dude! I’m all ears. What should I say?"
It's one of those "all dialogue" pieces that Mr. Anderson likes. Read it read it gotta read it all!
Next Issue...Poigniancy
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
So, today, I scrimped and saved my money and I treated myself to a newspaper. And, what did I see on the front page of the entertainment section than the happiest news I'd ever seen?
Silver City in West Edmonton Mall is cutting its ticket prices.
Yup. From $14 down to $11. This is a massive initiative being undertaken by Famous Players Theatres to try and boost attendence. they did it in Ontario last month with huge results! Turns out that the Edmonton Silver City is the last Silver City to cut ticket prices. The manager of Silver City Edmonton says that the experiment in Ontario and other cities has been amazingly successful. Gee, lower ticket prices gets more people to the movies...I agree. It's surprising that it worked.
But, there is some bad news with this good news, though. $11 is the same price that Silver City charged on Tuesdays and for weekday matinees. Since the cheap price is now the same as the regular price, there's only one solution. That's right, do away with cheap prices! Hot ticket Tuesdays and cheap weekday matinees are now a thing of the past at Famous Players theatres.
Next Issue...Rent the DVD
Silver City in West Edmonton Mall is cutting its ticket prices.
Yup. From $14 down to $11. This is a massive initiative being undertaken by Famous Players Theatres to try and boost attendence. they did it in Ontario last month with huge results! Turns out that the Edmonton Silver City is the last Silver City to cut ticket prices. The manager of Silver City Edmonton says that the experiment in Ontario and other cities has been amazingly successful. Gee, lower ticket prices gets more people to the movies...I agree. It's surprising that it worked.
But, there is some bad news with this good news, though. $11 is the same price that Silver City charged on Tuesdays and for weekday matinees. Since the cheap price is now the same as the regular price, there's only one solution. That's right, do away with cheap prices! Hot ticket Tuesdays and cheap weekday matinees are now a thing of the past at Famous Players theatres.
Next Issue...Rent the DVD
Got a bunch of cool Superman rumors today. Bear in mind, this casting is just rumor, and, as they say, it will be confirmed in the next day or so. Here's what we got:
Daniel Day-Lewis as Jor-El
Famke Jannsen as Lora
Jude Law as General Zod
Kevin Bacon as John Corbin/Metallo
the one that I have doubts about is Famke Jannsen as Lora. See, James Marsden, who played Cyclops in the X-Men movies, took a role in Superman and was promptly fired from X3. Now, Jannsen's been running around telling people that X3 is her next film, so either she's not Lora, or she just hasn't been fired from X3 yet.
And here's another rumour. Quentin Tarintino just might direct an episode of CSI. CSI star George Eads let it slip at a recent awards show. You may remember that Tarintino directed an episode of ER, way back in ER's first season, when it was the hottest thing in TV, and Tarintino was fresh off the hype around Pulp Fiction.
Next Issue...The Toaster Attacks
Daniel Day-Lewis as Jor-El
Famke Jannsen as Lora
Jude Law as General Zod
Kevin Bacon as John Corbin/Metallo
the one that I have doubts about is Famke Jannsen as Lora. See, James Marsden, who played Cyclops in the X-Men movies, took a role in Superman and was promptly fired from X3. Now, Jannsen's been running around telling people that X3 is her next film, so either she's not Lora, or she just hasn't been fired from X3 yet.
And here's another rumour. Quentin Tarintino just might direct an episode of CSI. CSI star George Eads let it slip at a recent awards show. You may remember that Tarintino directed an episode of ER, way back in ER's first season, when it was the hottest thing in TV, and Tarintino was fresh off the hype around Pulp Fiction.
Next Issue...The Toaster Attacks
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Here's something I haven't done in a while. Don't know why I quit. Here's what's new on DVD today:
GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II (Columbia TriStar) This 1993 title, in which Godzilla, MechaGodzilla and Rodan battle over an infant monster, has been mysteriously absent from Sony’s DVD library. But thank goodness, since they’ve since bowed to fan pressure and are issuing Godzilla discs in widescreen with Japanese audio options. This is one of the best G-flicks and features one of the best music scores.
THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO Season One (Anchor Bay) 1981 TV series tarring the greatest American actor, William Katt, as a hapless superhero for the US government.
MIAMI VICE: Season One (Universal) Incredibly popular icon of 1980s cool over substance that applied music video techniques to a standard cops & robbers format.
SHARK TALE (DreamWorks) Hit CGanime underwater redressing of “The Brave Little Tailor”, in widescreen & fullscreen editions with featurettes, bloopers and more.
Me? I'm just waiting for next week's big release: Pokemon 7, baby!
Next Issue...The Working Man
GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II (Columbia TriStar) This 1993 title, in which Godzilla, MechaGodzilla and Rodan battle over an infant monster, has been mysteriously absent from Sony’s DVD library. But thank goodness, since they’ve since bowed to fan pressure and are issuing Godzilla discs in widescreen with Japanese audio options. This is one of the best G-flicks and features one of the best music scores.
THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO Season One (Anchor Bay) 1981 TV series tarring the greatest American actor, William Katt, as a hapless superhero for the US government.
MIAMI VICE: Season One (Universal) Incredibly popular icon of 1980s cool over substance that applied music video techniques to a standard cops & robbers format.
SHARK TALE (DreamWorks) Hit CGanime underwater redressing of “The Brave Little Tailor”, in widescreen & fullscreen editions with featurettes, bloopers and more.
Me? I'm just waiting for next week's big release: Pokemon 7, baby!
Next Issue...The Working Man
Monday, February 07, 2005
I finally found something I've been looking for to download for 2.5 years.
The teaser for Hulk.
Yeah, the movie could have been better, but I still think it's one hell of a good teaser, and it's a crime they didn't put it on the DVD. You remember the one I'm talking about. Eric Bana's angst-ridden narration about the beast within...the narration ends on a close-up of his eye...the eye snaps open and we see he's turning green...and then something smashes out of the side of the house. It's a great teaser.
What can I say? When it comes to films, I love a good teaser. A good teaser is only supposed to whet your appitite; give you tantalizing glimpses of what's to come. They tease in the way a really good stripper does. Not that I've ever seen a stipper, mind you. I'm guessing it's something similar.
Sony Studios makes good teasers. The teasers for Men in Black, the American Godzilla, and the now legendary World Trade Centre teaser for Spider-Man still stand as my favourites. Pixar makes good teasers, too. Pixar adopted the mentality that all their teasers should be made of original footage. It's like a Pixar teaser is 1:30 short film. I remembere giggling at teaser for Toy Story 2...drooling over the images in the teaser for Monsters, Inc...being awestruck at the teaser for Finding Nemo...and the teaser for the Incredibles was just laugh-out loud funny.
Subject change.
As we all know, negotiations were underway all year to try to get William Shatner to do a cameo on Enterprise. Well, that fell through, and now negotiations are underway with Jonathon Frakes. Rumour has it that the role originally written for Shatner and now being offered to Frakes is role of Enterprise's much talked about but never seen cook, known only as "Chef." What do I think about this?
South Park is filled to the brim with Star Trek references from the overt (the one at the observatory is a scene-for-scene remake of the original series episode Dagger of the Mind) to the subtle (in the one with the home-schooled kids, Kyle's explanation of love was taken directly from one of Captain Kirk's speeches). It's obvious that either Matt Stone or Trey Parker is a huge trekkie.
If anyone at Paramount has a sense of humour, Enterprise's Chef will be played by Issac Hayes.
Next Issue...Chocolate Salty Balls
The teaser for Hulk.
Yeah, the movie could have been better, but I still think it's one hell of a good teaser, and it's a crime they didn't put it on the DVD. You remember the one I'm talking about. Eric Bana's angst-ridden narration about the beast within...the narration ends on a close-up of his eye...the eye snaps open and we see he's turning green...and then something smashes out of the side of the house. It's a great teaser.
What can I say? When it comes to films, I love a good teaser. A good teaser is only supposed to whet your appitite; give you tantalizing glimpses of what's to come. They tease in the way a really good stripper does. Not that I've ever seen a stipper, mind you. I'm guessing it's something similar.
Sony Studios makes good teasers. The teasers for Men in Black, the American Godzilla, and the now legendary World Trade Centre teaser for Spider-Man still stand as my favourites. Pixar makes good teasers, too. Pixar adopted the mentality that all their teasers should be made of original footage. It's like a Pixar teaser is 1:30 short film. I remembere giggling at teaser for Toy Story 2...drooling over the images in the teaser for Monsters, Inc...being awestruck at the teaser for Finding Nemo...and the teaser for the Incredibles was just laugh-out loud funny.
Subject change.
As we all know, negotiations were underway all year to try to get William Shatner to do a cameo on Enterprise. Well, that fell through, and now negotiations are underway with Jonathon Frakes. Rumour has it that the role originally written for Shatner and now being offered to Frakes is role of Enterprise's much talked about but never seen cook, known only as "Chef." What do I think about this?
South Park is filled to the brim with Star Trek references from the overt (the one at the observatory is a scene-for-scene remake of the original series episode Dagger of the Mind) to the subtle (in the one with the home-schooled kids, Kyle's explanation of love was taken directly from one of Captain Kirk's speeches). It's obvious that either Matt Stone or Trey Parker is a huge trekkie.
If anyone at Paramount has a sense of humour, Enterprise's Chef will be played by Issac Hayes.
Next Issue...Chocolate Salty Balls
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Latest column's up! this week's has a bit of an old-school flavour to it. It's called Boys and Their Toys:
"I’ve been an amateur action figure collector for about 13 years or so, and in that time, I’ve achieved certain milestones with my collection. There are certain points where I go, “Whoa. I’ve come a long way, baby.” The first such milestone was, naturally, buying my first figure; a Commander Riker at a Star Trek convention. Then there was the first Star Wars figure, that crazy day in ’94 when I saved my money for three months and then blew it all in one afternoon on action figures, the night I discovered ToyFare magazine…the list goes on. I reached one of those milestones today when I thought, “Ya know, it wouldn’t be too terrible having a Barbie doll in my collection.” "
As always, here's the whole thing!
Next Issue...Always With the Issues
"I’ve been an amateur action figure collector for about 13 years or so, and in that time, I’ve achieved certain milestones with my collection. There are certain points where I go, “Whoa. I’ve come a long way, baby.” The first such milestone was, naturally, buying my first figure; a Commander Riker at a Star Trek convention. Then there was the first Star Wars figure, that crazy day in ’94 when I saved my money for three months and then blew it all in one afternoon on action figures, the night I discovered ToyFare magazine…the list goes on. I reached one of those milestones today when I thought, “Ya know, it wouldn’t be too terrible having a Barbie doll in my collection.” "
As always, here's the whole thing!
Next Issue...Always With the Issues
Friday, February 04, 2005
Let me take a minute to do a quick movie news review:
Spider-Man 3 - Sam Raimi recently announced that he has decided on who the
villain will be...but he's not saying. Raimi somewhat cynically revealed
that he can't say who he chose because Marvel and Sony want to announce it
in a big, hype-inducing event.
Kiki's Delivery Service - Disney is doing a live-action remake of the Hayo
Miyazaki classic! Part of the logic behind this is that Eiko Kadano's
original Kiki books are finally being published in English, and some say
that it'll be the next Harry Potter. Disney has put in charge of this the
team of Don Murphy (the producer of The League of Extrodinary Gentlement
and the upcoming live-action Transformers), Mark Gordon (the producer of
Speed, Saving Private Ryan, and The Day After Tomorrow) and Susan
Montford (can't find any credits at the IMDB).
Casino Royale - The name of the next James Bond movie has been revealed!
Martin Campbell, who did GoldenEye, The Mask of Zorro, and its upcoming
sequel The Legend of Zorro, is back as director. No word on wether it'll
be based on the original Ian Flemming novel Casino Royale. I don't know.
I think this decision would NOT have been made if it weren't for Quentin
Tarintino running around saying he wanted to do Casino Royale. (He'd been
saying it since Jackie Brown, but for some reason no one took him
seriously until Kill Bill.) In case you don't know, Casino Royale was
the very first James Bond novel. It has almost no action and is 100%
character driven. Bond's assignment is simply to go to the titular casino
and keep tabs on an enemy agent. Tarintino also said that the book is now
so far removed from "the Bond formula" that it'd never be made.
And also...Disney has opened up a brand new animation studio! It's purpose is to do nothing but make Pixar sequels. The first product will be Toy Story 3.
Next Issue...Full of Stars
Spider-Man 3 - Sam Raimi recently announced that he has decided on who the
villain will be...but he's not saying. Raimi somewhat cynically revealed
that he can't say who he chose because Marvel and Sony want to announce it
in a big, hype-inducing event.
Kiki's Delivery Service - Disney is doing a live-action remake of the Hayo
Miyazaki classic! Part of the logic behind this is that Eiko Kadano's
original Kiki books are finally being published in English, and some say
that it'll be the next Harry Potter. Disney has put in charge of this the
team of Don Murphy (the producer of The League of Extrodinary Gentlement
and the upcoming live-action Transformers), Mark Gordon (the producer of
Speed, Saving Private Ryan, and The Day After Tomorrow) and Susan
Montford (can't find any credits at the IMDB).
Casino Royale - The name of the next James Bond movie has been revealed!
Martin Campbell, who did GoldenEye, The Mask of Zorro, and its upcoming
sequel The Legend of Zorro, is back as director. No word on wether it'll
be based on the original Ian Flemming novel Casino Royale. I don't know.
I think this decision would NOT have been made if it weren't for Quentin
Tarintino running around saying he wanted to do Casino Royale. (He'd been
saying it since Jackie Brown, but for some reason no one took him
seriously until Kill Bill.) In case you don't know, Casino Royale was
the very first James Bond novel. It has almost no action and is 100%
character driven. Bond's assignment is simply to go to the titular casino
and keep tabs on an enemy agent. Tarintino also said that the book is now
so far removed from "the Bond formula" that it'd never be made.
And also...Disney has opened up a brand new animation studio! It's purpose is to do nothing but make Pixar sequels. The first product will be Toy Story 3.
Next Issue...Full of Stars
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Enterprise has been cancelled!
The first series since the original to not complete its seven year run. The show has pretty much been in jeopardy ever since it started. Can't say I'm surprised, though. I guess my first clue was missing the entire second season when I was in Japan...and not caring.
The final episode airs May 16.
Enterprise: Season 1 hits DVD on May 3.
And it goes into reruns this fall.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
AHH!! STUPID STUPID STUPID!!
So, here I was, hoping to buy The Lord of the Rings Trilogy in one fell swoop. I wanted to get a boxed set, but they kept telling me that one was never released. Bear in mind, I didn't want the extended editions, just the theatrical editions. So, I sighed in disgust, and began buying the films individually. Only one I could find was The Fellowship of the Ring. (The only one I could find in widescreen; everyone else has it in fullscreen.)
Now, doing some online browsing, I see that the boxed set of the theatrical editions comes out next week.
STUPID STUPID STUPID!!
Oh, well. Hopefully with this, stores will finally re-stock on the theatrical widescreen editions so I can complete my collection.
And I'm being picky, too. Hoping to pick it up at Future Shop so I can blow my Christmas gift card on LOTR. Guess I'll have to make a trip home so I can the Future Shops in Edmonton.
Next Issue...I Wonder Why the Wonder Falls on Me
So, here I was, hoping to buy The Lord of the Rings Trilogy in one fell swoop. I wanted to get a boxed set, but they kept telling me that one was never released. Bear in mind, I didn't want the extended editions, just the theatrical editions. So, I sighed in disgust, and began buying the films individually. Only one I could find was The Fellowship of the Ring. (The only one I could find in widescreen; everyone else has it in fullscreen.)
Now, doing some online browsing, I see that the boxed set of the theatrical editions comes out next week.
STUPID STUPID STUPID!!
Oh, well. Hopefully with this, stores will finally re-stock on the theatrical widescreen editions so I can complete my collection.
And I'm being picky, too. Hoping to pick it up at Future Shop so I can blow my Christmas gift card on LOTR. Guess I'll have to make a trip home so I can the Future Shops in Edmonton.
Next Issue...I Wonder Why the Wonder Falls on Me
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