Bored?

Another week, another month. Where does the time go? Apparently, this mother has too much time. Maybe it's not fair for me to weigh in on this issue, not being a Mom and all. But, I do think that most parents dote too much on their kids.

Take Lindsay Lohan's Mom for instance. An Oscar? Sweet justice? Only in Hollywierd.

I think the woman who wrote the article would be less bored if she didn't try to be a part of every aspect of her children's lives. My parents never played games with me or my brothers or sat through music lessons with us. My Dad would just drop us off (if it was too far to walk or ride a bike, which meant at least 5 miles) and pick us up when it was over. And when I say music lessons, I mean accordian lessons. Yes, accordian lessons! What the hell was my Dad thinking signing up my brothers and I for accordian lessons. I know he just wanted to get us out of the house for an hour so he could watch tv uninterrupted, but accordian lessons! Why not guitar lessons? Even the clarinet would have been cooler than the accordian. I couldn't believe people still played the accordian, much less taught other people to play. I always thought people who played the accordian were born with some genetic defect that altered their perception of good music. But, I thought modern science had corrected that defect and the accordian became extinct. Or at least everyone who could play the accordian was banished to some remote village in Austria. Leave it to my Dad to find a school that taught accordian. I think he got some perverse pleasure knowing we would have to listen to the Blue Danube Waltz over and over again. He always had a wry smile on his face when dropping us off. Thank goodness that madness ended when my Dad learned he would have to attend a recital and actually listen to people playing the accordian. We never went to another lesson. But I still have the accordian.

Superman is following me

I can't escape him.







Leave me alone Superman!!!

Air Sickness

Remember my post about marketing pervading into every aspect of our lives? Here is another example. Just the thought of ads on barf bags makes me want to toss my cookies.

Where's the Music?

Mtv turns 25. Do they even play music videos anymore? I think it's time for a name change. They should call it Rtv for Reality Tv. Everytime I turn it on there is some marathon for some inane show like 8th & Ocean.

On today's date in 1794, Reign of Terror leader Maximilien Robespierre was guillotined. How come we never guillotined people over here? I mean seriously, a rope with a noose? Boooring!! Now a sharp, angled blade Crashing down through someone's neck. Fun! The one fun thing the French came up with.

Kazaa is paying $100 million to settle copyright lawsuits. Does anybody still use Kazaa? I think most people are on Limewire or using a bittorrent client. However, this action doesn't bode well for the free file sharing community. It's just a matter of time before the studios and record labels go after Limewire with both barrells. I must admit I purchase more songs through iTunes than downloading them for free. It's just alot easier than trying to find a song through Limewire. But iTunes could have a better pricing model. They need to come up with a subscription model like Rhapsody.com.

Here's an item for all you Lost fans. Thanks again to Michele for the story.

I saw Clerks 2 over the weekend. I don't know if any of you heard about Joel Siegel walking out of a screening of Clerks 2 because of a scene that simulated someone having sex with a donkey, but here is a funny trailer about the issue.




As for the movie itself. It has it's hilarious moments, but as a whole, the movie just doesn't work. I think Kevin Smith is better with short skits. He has trouble keeping a feature length movie flowing.

Outed

So, Lance Bass has officially announced his affinity for members of the same sex. Guess he decided to say "Bye, bye, bye" to heterosexuality. Hey, I can get a lot of mileage out of this tidbit so I'm not wasting it all in one spot.

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon had a baby girl. You know there is a reality show coming. Wouldn't that be fun to view? Watch in awe as Baby H takes her first steps to a thunderous soundtrack and synchronized lighting. Get excited as Baby H taunts her playmates with carefully scripted insults. Cringe as she takes her first dose of steroids. Growing Up H...coming this fall.

Now we know why Lance Bass wanted to be an astronaut. To escape the gravitational pull of heterosexuality.

The Monopoly board game will start using debit cards instead of paper money. Wonder if there will be out-of-network fees.

I found this pic amusing. I'm not a big fan of the new Apple ads. When I was in San Diego, I did get a chance to go into an Apple store. I was very impressed. Nice layout, plenty of demo units to try. I was even able to check my email on a Mac Mini while I was there. I think my next machine will definitely be a Mac.

I'm Back

I got back last night from my trip to San Diego. It was a blast and I can't wait to go back for the Rock and Roll Marathon in June 2007. You all are invited to join me!!

Speaking of marathons, the Rock and Roll Half Marathon is about a month away. They still need volunteers. All volunteers receive a free ticket to the post race concert which is being headlined by 3 Doors Down.

Ok, let's check out some stories.

Here's a story of a 5-year old boy saving his grandfather from drowning. Can you imagine the leverage that kid has on his grandpa now?

"Hey Grandpa, can I borrow your car?"

"No, you're only 5."

"Hey Grandpa, remember that gurgling noise as your lungs began to fill with water? That little white light getting closer as you were blacking out? Now how about those keys? I gotta date with little Suzie Nichols down the block. Oh, and how's about you throw a sixer of Bud and some pudding packs into the back seat."

The Sci-Fi Network has a new reality show. It's called Who Wants to be a Superhero. Wow, tv must really suck for new ideas. If I were to be a superhero, I would be Emo-Man!!! Patrolling the seedy streets of the block and college campuses dispensing emotional retribution with my Big Pimp Stick. You don't want a zap of teenage angst or mild paranoia or the deadly PMS Pulse blast. I'll save the day with some eternal optimism or a jolt of euphoria. I'm Emo-Man!!!

Thanks to Michele for the article submission!!

See you tomorrow!

So Long and Thanks for All the Fish

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originally uploaded by troynoles.

Well, another Con come and gone. Don't think I will make it here next year. But if any of you do, please let me know.

Brandon Routh in the house

Ok, the highlight of the Con was the unannounced appearance of Brandon Routh, the star of Superman Returns. I just happened to walk by the DC comics booth when he was there. The girl on his right is the studio supplied "girlfriend."

Short for a trooper

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originally uploaded by troynoles.

One stormtrooper from an army of stormtroopers here at the con.

Are you lost?

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originally uploaded by troynoles.

Getting ready for the Lost panel. Don't I look angelic?

The panel was quite informative and entertaining. Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof did the majority of the talking. They were mum about revealing anything about season 3, so no spoilers to treat you Lost fans.

I look good with Wonder locks

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originally uploaded by troynoles.

Check out the kitty vixen in the corner.

Waiting to get in.jpg

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originally uploaded by troynoles.

My first stop is to the Lost panel to see executive producers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof and stars Jorge Garcia and Daniel Dae Kim. I'll check in again soon.

Here at Comic Con.jpg

Here at Comic Con.jpg,
originally uploaded by troynoles.

That's right. I'm here at the Con. The main floor doesn't open for another hour and this place is already packed.

The Happiest Place On Earth

Sorry this post is late, it's been a long day. It's going to be short too.



Yesterday was the trip to Diseyland, the self-proclaimed happiest place on earth. Unless you talk to this kid's parents. Or are unfortunate to garner a paycheck from Walt's empire. Case in point.

Didn't get a chance to catch all the rides, but here are a few highlights.

The Enchanted Tiki Room. This is always a good way to start the day. I never really liked this attraction as a kid. But as an adult I finally appreciate the singing birds, flowers and totems for what they truly represent. Walt Disney liked a good huff of glue just like any other person who doodles.

The Jungle Cruise. Tired one-liners and a fake pistol shooting fake animals. Yawn. I think they should add this spectacle to the ride.

Pirates of the Carribean. They have made some cool enhancements to the ride like adding Captain Jack Sparrow with Johnny Depp's likeness and voice. It's amazing how accurately they captured Depp's essence into an animatronic robot. A tourist tried to take a picture of him during the ride and it came to the boat and assaulted him with a wooden plank. Still my favorite ride ever!

That's all for now. Have to get some sack time to get ready for the International Comic-Con tomorrow. I'll be posting plenty of pics and observations!!

San Diego here I am!

Ok, I am finally in sunny SoCal. San Diego to be exact. It's not as humid here as back in Va Beach. I was able to run 10 miles this morning as opposed to the 4 miles I've been running back home because of the heat and humidity.

I attended a San Diego Padres' game today. I'm a big Dodgers fan, so I was rooting against the home team and the Father's obliged by losing in the top of the ninth to the Phillies. I had taken some pics that I was going to post, but my dumb ass forgot my data cable for my digital camera. I will be getting one tonight so I can post pics of the trip. Tomorrow I will be going to Disneyland so I probably won't get a chance to post again until Friday.

Until then, let's check out some headlines.

For all of you thrillseekers, Princess Cruises had a cruise that let you experience the good times from the movie Poseidon. Ok, maybe the movie was worse than the cruise.

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the first Lunar landing and July 21st marks the anniversary of Buzz Aldrin and Lance Armstrong stepping foot on the moon. Unless of course you believe it was all a hoax. To set the record straight once and for all, I think we should go back to the moon. Although, I think all we would discover is that Starbucks has opened a store there. Chai latte anyone?

Speaking of Starbucks, is anyone else tired of all the different sizing schemes for beverages? I can't keep track of what term I need to use for the outlet I am visiting. Grande, Biggie, Venti, Extra Value, Double Gulp, somebody please stop the insanity. Whatever happened to the universally accepted small, medium, and large? Why does it have to be so complicated to order a freaking soda or coffee? The next time you go to Starbucks, break out of their stupid marketing paradigm and ask for a small, medium or large. It will be fun to watch them freak out.

That's it for now. See you back here on Friday.

Kitchen Invasion

Some interesting stories today.

It seems you can never escape the ubiquitous presence of advertising. TV, radio, and print media have traditionally hawked us with pleas to buy somebody's wares or services. You can't watch a film in the theater without sitting through a few overproduction commercials. And don't even think of getting to the movie early. You would have to endure what theater owners have the audacity to call "pre-film entertainment," which is really just a block of ads that have been packaged together and given a hip name like "The Twenty."

Now it seems CBS wants to hijack your eyeballs by invading your refrigerator. According to this story, CBS is going to laser imprint 350 million eggs with their logo to promote their new fall season. What?!?! Is it just me, or is this just too much? I can't even eat a meal without interference from some media conglomerate? What else is wrong with this idea? Oh yeah-it's stupid!! Eggs? What does eggs have to do with CSI? If you're going to advertise on food, at least have some logical connection to the product. A brick of cheddar with a Metamucil ad etched on it, although still stupid, makes some sense. Or maybe a cucumber tattoed with a K-Y lubricant logo. All I can say is that the next version of TIVO better have a "skip-meal" feature on it.

Dave Navarro and Carmen Electra have split up. Yawn.

Hope nobody has to drive through Boston anytime soon.

This lady claims to be the descendant of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene. Surprise! She has a book out to tell about it.

For you fans of the movie Glory, today is the anniversary of the attack on Fort Wagner by the first formal African-American military unit, the 54th Massachussetts Volunteer Infantry. I still get a little misty during the scene where the 54th is marching past the white infantry troops towards Fort Wagner, and the white soldiers begin to cheer for them. "Give 'em hell 54!!"

As I mentioned yesterday, I am leaving for sunny Southern Cali tonight. So I thought I would end today with a link to this blog with wierd airline tales. Hope none of this stuff happens to me.

Launches and Landings

It's a new week.

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. Apparently, Avril Lavigne enjoyed hers. She got hitched. Guess she found her skater boy.

According to this USA Today story, Virginia has the lowest voter turnout for the primaries so far. As an election official for Virginia Beach, I can personally vouch for a low turnout in June. If you aren't registered to vote, I encourage you to do so today and in November vote...for me. I think a seat in Congress would be cool. You get to make laws and assault security personnel.

The space shuttle Discovery returned to Earth this morning. I wonder what NASA is going to do when Southwest starts offering super saver fares to the International Space Station. Ding, you are now free to float about the cabin.

My favorite ninja answers another question.

One of my favorite video podcasts is 88SLIDE, the daily one minute trivia challenge. This week they are in Disneyland. I mention this because this week I will be in Disneyland. That's right folks, you're favorite blogger is going on vacation. But don't worry. I will still be posting everyday with pictures and videos of my trip. The highlight will be the San Diego Comic-Con. This show started as strictly a comic book convention but over the years it has become a huge multimedia extravaganza. I went 2 years ago and was completely awed by the scope of the show. I can't wait to geek out.

That's it for today. Don't forget to leave your comments or email me if you have any interesting stories that you want to share.

International Blends

Today we're going intercontinental, so dust off your passports.

Happy Bastille Day!! Only the French would celebrate a day centered around a prison. What if we had a Super Sing Sing Day parade or the Alcatraz Always Fireworks extravaganza? Can't imagine too many networks lining up to broadcast those events.

Here's a story of a sandwich shop owner in Philly that insists all of his customers order in English. Now, I have never endeavored to own a sandwich shop, but if I did, I wouldn't care how you ordered a cheesesteak. You could order in Klingon, tap it out in morse code on the counter, or divine it from a cup of tea leaves. Just as long as you paid me in some form of U.S. legal tender. That bill or coin you hand to me better have an American dead president or patriot of some kind on it. Otherwise you can carry your hungry, swahili speaking ass right out the door. Unless you paid me in pirate currency.

Canada appears to have a bit of a mad cow problem. I think it's retribution for giving the world Celine Dion. Whenever I hear about mad cow disease, it makes me think of my favorite Will Ferrell sketch.

That's it for today. Have a great weekend and I will see you back here on Monday.

Currency change

Ok, so I saw Pirates of the Carribean 2 and it got me brainchewing on this-we should start using pirate currency. How cool would it be to purchase a BMW for 15,000 doubloons. Wanna get a shampoo and cut? That will be 15 shillings please. College students will have to start giving up some pieces of 8 for a bag of ramen. I better get cracking on this. Who's our Secretary of the Treasury?

My thoughts on the actual movie. First, I can't believe it made as much money as it did on it's opening weekend. Wouldn't it be funny if it went on to become the biggest movie ever, then both the Grape brothers would have the highest grossing movies of all time. Wonder who else in the cast of WEGG could have the next blockbuster? John C. Reilly has a new movie coming out.

Ok Curse of the Black Pearl was better, but it's worth a look. Johnny Depp has another fine performance as Captain Jack Black despite the convulated plotlines and erratic pace of the movie. I have to be forthright and inform you that I did miss about 20 minutes of the film due to my being asleep. I will watch the film again in it's entirety to gain a more complete perspective.

If you want to see a less forgiving but funny review, watch this clip.

If you've seen the movie, please leave a comment on what you thought about it. Were you surprised with it's initial ticket take? What are some of your other favorite pirate movies?