• Like About
  • Archives
  • Categories

    • Archive for the ‘1’ Category

    « Older Entries

    A New HOPE From The Evil Empire


    2009 - 07.23

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in 1 | 1 Comment »

    No, no this post has nothing to do with the original Star Wars film (or as it is officially known: Episode IV: A New Hope).  Such rather derogatory names have inundated my favorite baseball team for as long as I can remember and definitely beyond that.  This week, The New York Yankees have been on the streets, in apartment buildings, and in the new stadium giving back to the community that they call home.  Whether it be something seemingly trivial like throwing pop flies to a ten year old or participating in an event honoring a Navy veteran who is afflicted with Lou Gehrig’s disease, the NOW solo first place American League East sluggers have been receiving praise both on and off the field.

    HOPE (Helping Others Persevere and Excel) week began Monday and has included the following events:

    • Alex Rodriguez and pitchers Joba Chamberlain and Andy Pettite were in Greenwich Village and visited a young boy who has Cerebral Palsay.  The sixth grader is confined to a wheelchair; however, the Bombers conducted a clinic for him and his little league teammates.
    • Ace closer Mariano Rivera, second baseman Robinson Cano, and outfielder Melky Cabrera visited a small Washington Heights apartment where a couple open their home to children for lessons in community and leadership.
    • Captain Derek Jeter and first baseman Mark Teixeira (who my mother claims closely resembles our admin… I don’t see it… sorry I cannot find a photo good enough to compare) participated in a ceremony honoring a Navy veteran with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and his wife.

    Say what you will about the Yankees… overpaid, over-privileged.  The new stadium is a homerun hitters paradise.  Any team who takes time out off the field to help and inspire (yes, even if the team happens to be from Bean Town) deserves some appreciation.

    Make Way For Ducklings


    2009 - 05.14

    Tags: , , , , ,
    Posted in 1 | 3 Comments »

    (Wait!  I think there is an actual children’s book of that actual title).  Tonight, a good friend and I attended the newest offering of the community theatre… BOY it seems like forever since I have been on stage… hopefully, that will change in a week or so.   Before the show, we decided to try the newest rave among fellow tangenteeers… The Four Seasons… a nice, cosy restaurant.  Some day, I will be brave and try some Meditteranean cuisine, but tonight I had lasagne which was quite good and extremely filling.  I was told that I was a bad influence as my companion skipped on the wrap she was going to get and decided upon fettucini alfredo instead.  The prices were quite reasonable and the food was quite excellent.  Sounds like this may become a new pre-show gathering place.

    HONK! was extremely adorable.  Everyone knows the tale of The Ugly Duckling about the outcast duckling who grows into a beautiful swan, but this musical expands the tale introducing a gaggle of other animals and relates the beautiful story of the lengths a mother will go to show not only her son but those around her that it is not what is on the outside but what is inside that counts.

    I will have to say that my favorite part of the show was a Busby Berkeley-inspired song and dance production number led by a bullfrog.  I also loved the wiley old cat.  Two characters I would have had fun portraying, but I was involved with another musical at the time of auditions.

    I also ran into a gentleman who also tried out for Joseph last weekend.  He informed me that he auditioned for the role of “Geriatric Joseph.”  I, for one, am glad that I did not list the title role on my audition sheet because one of the requirements is the need to be comfortable on stage with out a shirt.  I may have the vocal chops, but I’m not quite to the point at which I am ready to be on stage bare chested.  I guess I need to work on that.

    After the show, the three of us (we pick upa stowaway) headed back to what we were promised was a party at a local tavern, but when we arrived, it was closed so we headed to Taco Bell for a drink.  A great night of fun theatre.

    Another Century Post


    2009 - 03.07

    Posted in 1 | 5 Comments »

    flibberdegibbit

    One Man’s Trash…


    2008 - 08.06

    Tags: , , ,
    Posted in 1 | 4 Comments »

    A friend drew my attention to one of her summer traditions (Tradition, Tradition). It seems that the World’s Longest Garage Sale begins today (August 6) and runs through August 9th. I asked how long it is and discovered that it runs 654 miles from West Unity, Ohio all the way to Gadsden, Alabama (or vice versa). This event draws people from all over the world. I think it sounds rather fascinating just to see how many stops you can make in the four-day event. Apparently, vendors from all over participate and there are even sponsors for the event. It would be fun to go and watch expert hagglers attempt to find a treasure and get it for next to nothing. The website (YES… there is even a website) has interesting links that go into detail about how to plan your treasure hunt and other useful information. One question asks if there is an admission charge (honestly, has anyone ever been to a garage sale and been charged to enter?). Then, they offer a very helpful tidbit about watching for other cars. Driving along the route, looking for your next stop and suddenly WHAM! CRASH! POW! then, it is Holy Traffic Jam, Batman! So… if you are in the mood for a loooong road trip, you can travel along US127 all weekend long in search of buried treasure…. AAAARGH, Matey!

    Is There A Word That Rhymes With Solace?


    2008 - 07.30

    Tags: , , , , ,
    Posted in 1, Movies, Music | 4 Comments »

    Some of the most fascinating parts of a Bond film are the opening credits. All but the original movie opens with an action packed opening scene follow by what could be considered a pre-cursor to the music video. Most of them feature tantalizing, scantily-clad (or less) beauties often in silhouette. Accompanying these scenes are 21 songs by artists of today or others who have gone by the wayside. While some of the songs have been more popular than others, only one has topped the US singles charts and two have been Academy Award nominees. In the opening to For Your Eyes Only, singer Sheena Easton became the first performer to actually appear in the video. This marked the first time the performer appeared in the credits video. One singer has performed two memorable themes. In one of the latest films, a singer/actress had a brief (THANK YOU) cameo.

    After troubled performer Amy Winehouse was deemed incapable to record and Paul McCartney could not create a rhyme for the word “solace,” Alicia Keys and Jack White (?… is he the twin brother of Jack BLACK who was accidentally switched at birth?) are recording the first duet to be used as a Bond theme.

    By clicking on the link, you can test your knowledge (whatever it may be) of just 10 of the 21 themes. I had to brilliantly guess on a few of them; however, I did slightly better than Dr. “Oh” No ranking. Or you can reminisce by posting your favorite Bond theme, for those who like such things. Mine is the instrumental theme to On Her Majesty’s Secret Service which is very underrated as is the movie (unfortunately… as I find it one of the best and different from most).

    The Wind Began To Switch…The House To Pitch


    2008 - 06.06

    Tags: , ,
    Posted in 1 | 2 Comments »

    As a youngster, I always loved watching a good ol’ fashioned thunderboomer. Lightning flashes, rolls of thunder, wind, pounding rain, power going out, nature in all her fury, a symphony for the senses. I still do enjoy watching them as long as I am not driving in them. The conditions all day seemed to forecast such a storm sometime. Temps in the 90s, warm wind, just the right conditions. At work, the Krispy Kreme deliveryman informed me that there were tornado watches out and calling for up to quarter inch hail. Shortly after, the sky began to darken. When I got off my shift, I walked home changed clothes into something a lot cooler than jeans and a polo shirt and went uptown for dinner. While eating, the tornado siren sounded announcing the spotting of a funnel cloud. We got up and went home; but almost as quickly the storm had passed. A larger town to the south of us was not so fortunate as they had downed power lines and power outages all over. We had extended family members come “just in case” with kids from 2-13 (I think the 13 year old was more scared than any of them). If I had been their age, I probably would have made noises to instill further fear into them but I guess I am beyond that (but thinking about it entered my mind briefly). Sad to say that the storm here was not much to write home about, but fun to imagine… no need to head to the basement and break out the flashlights for some fun in the dark. DRAT!!!

    Remember


    2008 - 05.26

    Posted in 1 | 1 Comment »

    Today as we go about our everyday busy lives or maybe enjoy a barbeque with friends and family, it should be appropriate to take just a moment to reflect upon why we have this day off from work.  Right now, it may not be the most popular public view to have men and women in Iraq fighting for the past seven years but those men and women have parents, spouses, children, and other loved ones who are hoping and praying for their safe return.  Also to remember those lost in not only the current overseas struggle but also those lost in previous wars.  Without those, we would not have had the many freedoms we all hold dear.  So hopefully everyone took just a few moments while eating that hot dog around the picnic table to maybe not attend a Memorial Day Service but just stop and think about the people who have fought and continue to fight whether or not it seems like the right thing to do.

    Same Cat Time, Same Cat Channel


    2008 - 05.25

    Tags: , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in 1, TV Shows/Movies | 2 Comments »

    Batman has undergone several transformations in the 70 years of his creation. One of the most debated is the television series that ran on ABC television from 1966-1968. It was an all-out camp version of the Dark Knight that at first delighted fans and was an instant smash, in fact it spawned a theatrical version that did not do well. Stars Adam West and Burt Ward were forever typecast in the roles of the dynamic duo.

    The formula for the first season of Bat-episodes was the same throughout. One of Batman’s colorful adversaries would commit a heinous crime. Commissioner Gordon would use the red bat-phone to call the caped crusader for help. Bruce Wayne and his “youthful ward” Dick Grayson slid down the batpoles to the mysterious Batcave in the catacombs beneath Stately Wayne Manor to instantly change into the crimefighters. Then would race in the Batmobile to police headquarters and learn what problems had befallen the good citizens of Gotham City. Shortly thereafter, the heroes would follow the clues to the hideout of the villain of the week which usually led to a cartoonish Bat-fight full of “Biff”s, “Bam”s, and “Crash”s. Then, the villain would place the duo in a seemingly unescapable trap and leave. TO BE CONTINUED. In the conclusion, the heroes would escape the deadly trap with the aid of their utility belts, hunt down the evildoers, and stop their dastardly plot.

    By the mid-point of the 2nd season, the formula was becoming weak, the creators of the comic book were becoming increasingly embarrassed by the campiness. Batgirl was introduced, but she did little to improve things (although Yvonne Craig did fit the costume very well, thank you very much) and the series was soon canceled.

    The best thing about the series was the rogues gallery of supervillains who would attempt to bring chaos and destruction to the fair metropolis :D . The Riddler, The Joker, Catwoman, and The Penguin were the main adversaries carried over from the comic book adventures. During its heyday, several stars of the 60s wanted to cash in on the series popularity and new (often forgettable) villains were created. Dastardly nogoodnicks like Egghead (played with egg-cellent deliciousness by Vincent Price), King Tut, Shame, Bookworm, and Liberace (?) as Chandel are but a few of the one or two time villains of the week.

    Then we had the ridiculous phrases uttered by the Boy Wonder… “Holy (…), Batman!” Some of the more ridiculous utterances:

    Holy uncanny photographic mental processes

    Holy one track batcomputer mind

    Holy priceless collection of Etruscan snoods

    Holy interplanetary yardstick

    In total, the Boy Wonder made 356 of the goofball, but at times timely, observations.

    Only the theatrical Batman movie has ever made it to DVD. However, if you follow one of these two links, you two can have hours of entertainment or at least a few laughs at the campiness that was Batman of the 1960s.

    http://youtube.com/user/MondayNitroIII

    http://youtube.com/user/FanOfBats

    Your one stop shop for Batman, Superman, and more – WBShop.com!

    Morat Strikes Back


    2008 - 05.23

    Tags: , , , ,
    Posted in 1 | No Comments »

    HELLO EVERY PEOPLE!!!!! I a return to this town in OHHO country to a see this strange person at the food shop. I a see this woman who a tell me she a like Morat when he was at the school in Edgertown, OHHO when he read a the Liswathistani stories of The Three Wooly Sheep and Morat and the Three Bears to the little people for the “PTO Family Night.” The woman say she enjoy very much the accent of Morat and say he a very funny person. Strange man person he just stood ans hook his head. Why he do that I not know.

    As I a cover for news next owner America country, I a still not get to speak to the woman who I do not think will be new owner. I try and try but every time Morat get close to her, these funny looking man persons with things sticking out of there ears come and chase Morat away. I a not understand this at all. I a just humble person who come to find America country. I a come close to speaking to Medulla Oblongata, but he no speak to Morat, too. So I say, VOtE For MORAT. What was a that crazy movie I saw Vote For Pedro… Bonaparte TNT? AH…. Napoleon Dynamite. OK… I like Liswathistan name better. Very big in Liswathistan right now… number one movie for 2 days.

    I also watch final of America Idol show. Two Davids? Only one Morat. Little David lose to old David. I think Simon helped vote for old David when he said young David won before vote. Morat sill say he should be America Idol. I sing the Livin’ Viva Loca better than anyone. EVERYONE WINS!!!

    Get tickets to the American Idol Tour at TicketsNow Homepage

    Believe It…Or Not


    2008 - 05.19

    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    Posted in 1, Movies | 5 Comments »

    In almost every film made, there are casting issues. The actors seen in the final product are not necessarily the people originally chosen to fill the roles. Well known to most trivia buffs, Shirley Temple possibly would have been Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz had she not been under contract to MGM rival Fox at the time. Buddy Ebsen was cast as the Tin Man until he discovered that he was allergic to makeup used in the costume.

    -Imagine how different Gone with the Wind would have been if Lucille Ball had been cast as Scarlett O’Hara or Groucho Marx as Rhett Butler.

    -Moving forward a few decades, the Bruce Willis starring action movie Die Hard was originally planned as a sequel to that fine Arnold Scharzenegger masterpiece, Commando. However, after the Governator turned the role down, the fim was changed and eventually starred Mr. Willis after four other casting attempts.

    -Speaking of Ah-nuld, could you possibly imagine O.J. Simpson as The Terminator? Seriously, it could have happened.

    -Bill Murray was considered for the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne in the 1989 film. Has Mr. Murray ever done a non-comedic movie? Or maybe, the movie was originally supposed to be lighter in tone and closer to the ’60s television show. Robin Williams was considered for the role of the Joker in both the original Tim Burton directed movie and also for this summer’s The Dark Knight (which will be Heath Ledger’s swan song).

    You can view other possible casting choices for your favorite movies at notstarring.com.



    Click for the Warner Bros. Online Shop-WBShop.com

    « Older Entries