Welcome, Christmas, bring your cheer.
Cheer to all Whos far and near.
Christmas Day is in our grasp so long as we have hands to clasp.
Christmas Day will always be just as long as we have we.
Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart and hand in hand.
I am loving this new Christmas song by Jenny Owen Youngs. It’s kind of anti-Christmas, but I dig it!!
You can download the song for free from Amie St. here.
The 1st Annual Pasta Pomodoro Flag Football Turkey Bowl was a big success! A lot of people showed up (more than we had flags for) and had a great time.
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| From Thanksgiving 2008 |
I’m in the front row second from the left sporting FSU colors. I’m wearing black in advance mourning of the FSU-Florida game. I hate Florida. Like Jennifer hates Angelie.
I also wanted to share this video.
Bruce Lee playing ping pong is intensely more enjoyable than watching vampires play baseball.
Ray once again hooked me up with a new banner for the blog. This one is in honor of the new James Bond film Quantum of Solace which opens tomorrow, November 14.
I always wondered what I would look like in a tux, smoking a cigarette, while pointing a gun between a pair of golden legs. I have to wonder no more.
I am seeing the film at midnight at the Arclight in Sherman Oaks. If you’re in the area, come join me!
Just a reminder. Go vote if you're registered (to vote, not as a sex offender).
You know what? Vote even if you're not registered. Go take the Pepsi Challenge. Do you really want four more years of Coke? Or vote independent and choose Dr. Pepper. He's got a degree.
So go cast your ballot today and be a part of the process. All the cool kids are doing it.
For all you California voters: vote no on Prop 8.
My name is Troy Dodd and I approve this Blog.
Happy Halloween!!
Remember…send me all of your unwanted candy corn. Can’t get enough candy corn. I think I will eat only half my stash this year and plant the other half in case next year’s crop comes in short.
I had a bit of a scare two days ago. I dislocated my right shoulder making a catch during a softball game. I needed to go to the hospital but had to wait until the end of the game for one of my team mates to transport me. No big deal. It was the bottom half of the last inning and we were way ahead of the other team.
Of course this was the time the other team decided to make a bit of a comeback. I don’t remember too much, being in agonizing pain and all, but it just seemed the other team keep getting hits. Maybe they were punishing me for robbing them of a couple of hits during the game and wanted to keep my shoulder dangling from the socket as long as possible. At one point, I considered doing some field surgery and just popping my shoulder back in myself a la Martin Riggs in Lethal Weapon 2.
But I was afraid of passing out from the pain and my team mates would think I died and harvest my organs on the black market.
Thankfully the game finally ended. So about 30 minutes after I dislocated my shoulder I was being medi-vaced to the hospital by our third baseman. The hospital took some x-rays, put me under and popped my shoulder back into place. My recollection of all this is vague since I was lost in a fog of agony but my team mate was kind enough to provide the narrative in an email the following day. I wish I was more lucid since this was only the second time I’ve ever been admitted to a hospital since the infamous castration incident.
I woke up shortly after my shoulder was fixed and went home with my arm in a cool new sympathy sling.
I’m hoping the sling will garner me higher tips at work. Or maybe a phone number or two.
“It is what it is.”
I hate that phrase. Really. Like pears hate apples. Like Harry Carey hates Mother Theresa.
It’s a backwater, faux-Cartesian piece of diatribe poo. Anyone who uses it should have their flesh flayed away by a sand gun and have their bones bleached under the hot Gobi sun.
Yes, I’m upset that Tony Romo will be out for 4 weeks. I can kiss my fantasy season goodbye.
In this Metropolitan Police handout released Tuesday, X-ray images show how a teenage boy cheated death when a five-inch knife was plunged into his head. The 16-year-old and two other young men were injured when they tried to stop a friend being robbed at a bus stop. He was rushed to hospital with the kitchen knife still stuck in his forehead after the attack in Walworth, south London, last November.
Click here for full story.
Just read that Paul Newman has died of cancer. He was a great actor. He just seemed like a class act. And he made damn good salad dressings.
One of my favorite Paul Newman roles was as Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He did an awesome job. Of course, it’s hard to mess up a role when your name is Brick. It’s masonry. The big bad wolf couldn’t blow it down.
I know a lot of people will miss him.
I know this is incredible. Two posts in two days. Get over it.
Today is my birthday. The big four-oh. But you know what they say..."40 is the new 39." I prefer what my friend Ray says, 'you're only as old as the girls you feel."
40. I'm only a corvette and 20 year-old girlfriend away from a mid-life crisis. Again.
According to the Roman Catholic Church today is a Feast Day for the Beheading of St. John the Baptist?
Grim.
According to Terminator 2: Judgement Day, August 29th is the day Cyberdyne Systems blows up the world.
Groovy.
For those of you in the Los Angeles area you are all invited to celebrate my Judgement Day/Beheading Feast/Bowling Extravaganza tonight.
Where: Corbin Bowling Center
When:11pm-???
Bring your balls (and bowling shoes)!!
I love jerky!! Beef, turkey, pork, Bambi. If it's dried protein I'll eat it.
This love derives from my Mom's cooking. She has the uncanny ability to cook all the moisture out of food. So my love of jerky is probably more of a survival reflex than any real fondness.
Since I don't live with my Mother, I usually I have to buy my jerky in a bag. For some reason jerky is not cheap. It's cheaper to buy the actual meat. That doesn't make sense. Jerky is meat minus the water. It should be cheaper. But I digress. Because jerky is fairly expensive, I'm always looking for a deal.
A couple of days ago I was perusing the shelves at the CVS pharmacy and came across a small display of beef jerky on sale for $2.50. I thought "awesome!" Jerky is usually twice that amount. So I bought a few bags and left the store feeling smug about my thrifty purchase.
On my lunch break I opened one of the bags of jerky and began eating. As I chewed the dried strips of meaty goodness, I pleasantly noticed that it wasn't as stringy as some jerky brands I've tried before. It also had a sweeter flavor than most jerkys. Now I really felt good about this jerky. Cheap and it tasted good. I looked at the bag to find out the brand.
The bag was marked with "Hartz" and I thought to myself "isn't that a brand of flea collar?" Then I noticed the dog silhouette and the text to the right of it.
"Dog Treats."
Ok, so...I had been enjoying dog food. No big deal.
It's not like I've never had some Skippy dog food before. That stuff tastes just like corned beef hash. I was a little concerned by the disclaimer on the back of the bag.
"NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION."
Still tasted good. I was beginning to feel a little quesy. But that was probably residual nausea from Pierce Brosnan's singing in Mamma Mia which I had seen the night before.
So I finished the bag.
Still tasted good.
Last night I watched Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson win the Gymnastics AA gold and silver medals respectively. It was tall and graceful versus short and powerful. Tall and graceful won this time but short and powerful was spunky. I think that's the official term for short and powerful gymnasts-spunky. However, the best attribute that both gymnasts possessed. They were American!
--You're so tall!
--You're so spunky!
--Let's make out!
Staying on the gymnastic front, I read this article about two athletes banned for drug use. One of them was a gymnast from Vietnam. First time Vietnam has had a gymnast at the Olympics. Too bad. Although I bet she would have won the gold in Algebra.
I've been back in LA for almost 2 weeks now and I'm finally getting back into the routine. My vacation was great and it was nice to see the Fam and friends.
Here are some pics.
Nice chest Uncle Troy!
Nice hair coz!
If you want to see the rest of the pics you can go to my Flickr account.
I did want to mention my friend Supes really quick. He comes along on big trips (especially to Cons). He's cool and all but hogs all the ladies! I can't take a pic with a decent looking woman when he's around! Here are a few examples.
Now, he's set up his own Flickr page to flaunt to the world his Shatner-like prowess with the XX chromosome set.
I need a cape.
I have seen The Dark Knight.
This movie has received a lot of advanced hype. Especially in the last few weeks. Early reviews have deemed it a masterpiece. Critics have praised Heath Ledger's performance as Oscar worthy. It's pretty much been anointed as the must-see movie of the summer. What do I think of the hoopla surrounding this movie?
Believe it!!
I really enjoyed Batman Begins. It redeemed every other Batman film before it. Christopher Nolan captured the essence of the character of Gotham's vigilante champion. The Dark Knight makes Batman Begins look like Joel Schumacher's Batman and Robin.
Don't take my word for it. Go see it! See it in IMAX if you can. Several scenes were shot in the IMAX format. A first for a Hollywood film.
I'm going to see it again. Taking the Batpod.
I am writing this post from Virginia. My brother's kitchen to be precise. I'm visiting the fam and meeting my new nephew Gavin for the first time! He probably won't remember this visit. But I want to make an impression, so I'm secretly breastfeeding him when his parents are asleep.
Here's a pic of him with his brother Tristen.
Hear that? The "awww" meter on this blog just went to 11.
To all my friends in the 757, you have until July 24th to collect any money that I may owe you or to get a sample of blood for a paternity suit. After that I'm going back to Cali to loaf around in San Diego for a few days.
I will be posting throughout my vacation so check back here for updates. Or you can follow my Twitter feed to see what I'm up to.
Hope to see everyone!
Ray Raquipiso has done it again!! Check out the lava hot new banner he did for the blog.
Love the cigar!
I'm going to see a special screening of Hellboy II: The Golden Army on Friday night. Guillermo Del Toro will be at the screening introducing the film and I'm hoping he will do a Q&A after the screening. I thought the first film was yogurt plain. Nothing spectacular, but I will still stop and watch it when surfing the cable. I have high hopes for this one! I'm such a fan of Guillermo's other work (especially Pan's Labyrinth and Cronos) and I can't wait for his adaptation of The Hobbit. I wonder if Gollum's eyes will be on his palms?
Click the image below to watch the trailer then go catch the film starting July 11!
A special, late post.
I have become an Uncle to a nephew once more! Gavin Henry Dodd made his debut this evening weighing in at 6lbs, 12oz with a reach of 19 3/4 inches(from head to toe).
Here is a photo of my brother Ken, the proud papa, and Gavin. Gavin's Mom, Jeanne Dodd, was unavailable for a comment due to what is known in the medical community as "fucking exhaustion!"
Gavin's older brother Tristen also was not available for comment. Eyewitness reports claim that Tristen was in a corner of the waiting room mourning the loss of his "only child indulgent" status.
Please join me in welcoming Gavin to this plane of existence. It sure beats swimming in amniotic goo in a dark womb.
Saw Wanted. Kicked and displayed Angelina Jolie ass! Nuff said!
But I'm going to anyway.
First James McAvoy.
Mr. Tumnus found a way out of Narnia and lost the parasol for a pair of Desert Eagles.
Angelina Jolie.
She doesn't have a lot of lines to chew on, but she's simply amazing! She can beat on my face with brass knuckles anytime!
Gotta give it to the Russkie. He knows how to direct action. I loved his Nightwatch and Daywatch films and he has made the transition to the Hollywood studio system with style. His movies are eyegasmic and this one is no exception. I bet he could make The Sound of Music kick you in the balls with ecstasy!
So see this one!
Going to see a midnight screening of Wanted tonight. The movie is getting great reviews so I can't wait!!
I'll post a review tomorrow. Check out this red band trailer for a glimpse of the kick in the groin, adrenaline rush, celluloid euphoria I hope this movie is going to be. Plus it has a wet, back tatted Angelina Jolie.
I'm going to see the new Hulk movie on Friday.
New Hulk movie, new RandomTroy banner.
I have higher hopes for this film. I wasn't a fan of the Ang Lee pyschological mess Hulk of a few years ago. I don't want a Sigmund Freud Hulk. I want a Chuck Norris Hulk (minus the beard).
I know this film throws a shout out to the TV series, but I hope it throws a shout out to some serious Hulk smashing!
I do approve of the recasting of Bruce Banner from Eric Bana to Edward Norton.
I never bought Hector as a nerdy scientist.
But Smoochy...I'll buy that for a dollar.
However, I'll take Jennifer Connolly over Liv Tyler any day of the week and twice yesterday.
<<<<<<<<<
Delicious!
Pointy!>>>>>>>>
How pathetic am I? I just spent the last 2 hours watching Steve Jobs keynote at the WWDC on the iPhone. I learned about the new Apps Store, the MobileMe web client and the new 3G iPhone. And I don't even own an iPhone!
What!
I saw a free screening of The Strangers the other night. It was sponsored by Creative Screenwriting and had a Q&A with writer/director Bryan Bertino. Unfortunately,
the highlight of the evening was the Q&A as the movie was underwhelming. Lots of "cats in the alley" scares but nothing more. Really, really unbelievable circumstances that are more contrived than an Oliver Stone screenplay.
You can hear the Q&A here.
The little ghost from The Orphanage grew up to be a stalker of Arwen.
Per my last post, here is my review of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Dull Skulls.
There you go!
Seriously, I was disappointed. I went in with low expectations and came out deflated and empty. The action is anti-climatic, the dialog is tired and mundane. Then there's Shia LeBouf.
Not even gonna go there.
The only minutely enjoyable thing about the movie is Harrison Ford. It was nice to see Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood again, but the character is a shell of her former "I can drink more fermented yak piss than a mongol Yeti" self. Steven Spielberg's directing shows up for a cameo or two, but like an M&Ms dinner, it's enjoyable but too brief to satisfy.
Unfortunately, the movie reeks with the heavy hand of George Lucas. It's tragic that a filmmaker that I idolized as a youth has denigrated to Star Wars Ep. 1-3 and now Indy 4. It's time for the man to hang it up and retire with his fortune to Skywalker Ranch and pass the Force on to a younger generation (I won't fuck up Star Wars Ep. 7-9 George. I promise!).
If you are a die hard Indy fan, then you will see this movie in the theater. Nothing I write here is going to stop you and I understand that. I am a Indy loon. Raiders of the Lost Ark holds the distinction of being the first movie I saw twice in the same day in a theater (and the only film I have seen back to back). The only other movies I have seen twice in one day at a theater is Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (though not as good as the original, I loved the action scenes!), The Last Starfighter (is dead!) and Darkman (Sam Raimi baby!).
However, if you are just a passive Indy fan, skip this one or see it at home. I can't believe I just wrote that. Damn you George Lucas! Damn you to hell!
Guess what I'm going to see tonight?
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull!!!!
Technically, I'm seeing it tomorrow since it's a 12:46am screening but who wants to argue semantics.
To herald the arrival of the first Indy flick in 19 years, Ray has created another fine banner for the blog.
I'm going in with low expectations since George Lucas had a say in the script. I just don't trust him anymore. Ever since Star Wars Ep. 1-3, Lucas has been dead to me (if there are any fanboys reading this, please refer to my last blog post).I'm just hoping that Harrison Ford and Steven Spielberg found a way to make magic despite George Lucas.
I will post my impressions on Friday. You can also subscribe to my twitter feed for a realtime update
If anyone else is seeing the film tonight, leave a comment or email your thoughts!
Gotta go catch an Ark!
Despite those impressions, I did enjoy the movie. The script did take some liberties with the book, but that's to be expected. I believe that a film that is adapted from a novel should be able to stand on it's own, like a newborn gazelle. You shouldn't have to have read the novel to get the film. I loathe fanboys who always praise an inferior picture(The Fantastic Four/Eragon) and defend it by saying "Well, if you read the comic" or "If you read the novel, you would understand."
To them I say "fuck you!" I shouldn't have to read something in order to enjoy a film. Unless it's a foreign flick and subtitled. That exception aside, fuck you fanboy! You deserve to be eaten by hyenas!
Wow! Where did that come from? No more blog posting before I have coffee.
See the film. See it in a theater with a big screen and awesome sound. It's magical! Especially, Prince Caspian's hair.
I know it's been a long time since I posted. Almost a month!!
Sorry...been busy. Or lazy. Can't decide which.
This post isn't going to be too long. I just wanted to share the new banner Ray Raquipiso did for the blog.
Sweet yes?
I saw the movie on opening night and it rocked the house!
It inspired me to go home and try to make an armored suit out of Jiffy pop and Swanson tv dinner packages. My outfit wasn't nearly as cool and I smelled like salisbury steak for a week.
Ray also made me another movie inspired banner that I will be unveiling in a couple of weeks.
That's it for now. I'm going to try and post more pics on the blog for summer. Wait for it!
One of the realities of living in a major metropolitan burg is that you will be asked for some scratch by a vagrant, hobo, Nick Nolte, panhandler, bum.
Do not give this man money!Today I was pondering about poo. I'm not sure about you, but I'm a looker. I look at my feces before I send it down the watery whirlpool. Now you're either thinking "why" or "eww." If it's the former thought, let me illuminate. Poo tells us so much about ourselves. It comes from us. Deep within us. It has stories to tell and many miles to go before it sleeps in the ocean. It's true!! There's even a book that translates your poo. It's called What's Your Poo Telling You?
So, before you blindly flush your solid waste, take a peek. Find out what your poo is telling you. You'll be grateful.
Today I was at LAX picking up my Mum from her month long visit to the Motherland (that's Vietnam for me, not sure what it is for you).
As I was standing at the Tom Bradley International Terminal, my brother John commented on the beauty of the Asian flight attendants. I just couldn't agree. I'm not generally attracted to Asian women. Maybe it's because I'm Hasian (half-asian). Not to say there aren't beautiful Asian women. I would gargle Gong Li's urine and Zhang Ziyi movies have made many deposits into the spank bank. I'm just not floored by most Asian females. Maybe it was the fact that the flight attendants all had their hair up and were wearing identical uniforms. They all looked alike. Like grapes.
Today I was eating lunch at the Golden Arches. It consisted of the following:
My week is off to a grand start. I got a wicked papercut from the latest issue of Wired. Never trust a magazine with a picture of the Apple logo surrounded by razor wire on the cover.
If any of you received a ton of Peeps for Easter, here are a few suggestions with what to do with all that marshmallow goodness.
Microwaving them is always good for a laugh.
This guy has a video tutorial on how to massacre Peeps.
This guy just goes the direct route.
Peeps eventually just wind up in the toilet anyways.
I personally prefer Peep jousting.
Let me know what you do with your Peeps.
Haunting Nordic Folk.
That's how a record label describes Scandinavian band Adjágas. Ever hear of them? That's good because they want to eat your soul.
Need proof? Here's the cover to their album.
I know that image was in the videotape from The Ring. If you pop this cd in your player, don't be surprised if Samara pops out of your speakers.
Still not convinced? How about this little nugget.
Combining the strange beauty of Scandinavian music with the sounds of American folk, Adjágas are exposing yoik music to an international audience. Yoik is characterized by hypnotic, repetitive chanting, and has seen little mainstream production or distribution. For their self-titled debut, Adjágas enlisted the help of Jaga Jazzist producer Andreas Mjøs, who adds subtle texture and emphasizes their hauntingly melodic voices. Critics have drawn breathless comparisons to an acoustic Sigur Rós, calling the album "a thing of rare beauty... [with] a naked intimacy that stays with the listener long after the last chord has rung out" (Music Week).
Anyone watch the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony last night? Is it just me, or is Madonna devolving into Carol Channing?
It's just a matter of time before Madonna is doing a national tour of Hello, Dolly!
It's fun comparing the two photos for hidden religious iconography like in the Davinci painting of Madonna of the Rocks. I'm confident that the Carol Channing photo is a reference that Madonna will never die, just get older.
I've got a big announcement coming soon! Aren't you giddy?
