After reading Dilliwag's post I thought I might go ahead and do it myself (yeah, after this one and the last one there are implications I can't do anything original --- )
Lots of movies, but that is what I like. :)
24 Season 5
Monk Season 4
Louie Anderson - Mom Louie's looking at me again.
Jeff Dunham - Arguing with myself.
Coach Carter
Stargate SG1 Season 4 (the last "old" season I needed, no I need to get season 9)
And some Christmas cash that I went into a local DVD place that was having a "Buy 3 get one free used" sale and picked up
Ladder 49 (more research for Smokeater) :)
X3
Bourne Identity
Bourne Supremecy
Hellboy
Constantine
Highlander
Resident Evil (the only Zombie movie I have ever actually liked).
Books -
Solo (the story of the FBI man in the Kremlin)
We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ - Neal A Maxwell.
and then I got a 1 year membership to Costco from the boss. Much better than a Christmas bonus, it'll help all year round. :)
And it looks like the Jack Black Whacky Comedy Green Lantern movie has fallen through - YAY. I consider that a present too. With Superman Return and Batman Begins the DC movies have been amazing, so I didn't want to see this. And I have high hopes for Whedon's Wonder Woman. And Marvel's stuff has been more hit than miss (hey they all can't be as good as the X movies or the FF, some are bound to be Electra and Spider-man level).
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
New memes
Following Mike's Lead
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
I can't stand Egg Nog. I had half a glass once and almost threw up. So Hot Chocolate.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Wrap.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Colored. Never do the outside thing.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Naw. I can kiss the wife anytime I want.
5. When do you put your decorations up?
Usually about Dec 10th or so. We have some corner of the house (table, mantle something) decked out. Wife has allergic reactions to trees, and we have three cats, so we generally skip the tree.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Big slabs of white meat from a turkey.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
Can't think of any. On the other side - I can remember the year my dad threw down the tree and destroyed what few presents we had because he was drunk, and didn't think we had enough money for Christmas.. or the year we skipped any celebrations/decorations entirely (same reason).
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I can't remember. I don't know that I ever believed about Santa.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
not usually.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
See above - no tree. When we had one, garland, lights, ornaments. No icicles.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I hate driving it it (I don't trust the other drivers) but I enjoy watching it.
12. Can you ice skate?
Dunno, have never worn a pair, so probably not.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
As a chile, no. As an adult, see previous blog entries.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Celebrating with Family, and dwelling on the message of the gospel, and the birth of Christ, and what that means to the world.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Fudge.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Our Christmas corner.
17. What tops your tree?
No tree.
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Both.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Good Kind Wenceslas.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
They are okay. Generally leave them.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Paper, generally
2. Real tree or artificial?
Neither. Cats and Allergies.
3. When do you put up the tree?
Mu
4. When do you take your tree down?
Mu
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I don't remember anything in particular
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes - it's the center of our Christmas decorations, where it should be.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Just about anyone. I'm no good at figureing out presents.
9. Easiest person to buy for?
Lesslie, just because I know her so well.
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
See the above list and not celebrating for a few years.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Email in general.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Does Die Hard Count?
The Rankin/Bass Santa Trilogy (Santa is coming to Down, Rudolph, and Year without Santa)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I try to start in early Nov. Realistically, I usually do it sometime around Dec 15th.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Turkey, with Mandarin Oranges, Olives, Mashed Potatoes and corn. Yumm!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Colored. White lights are boring.
17. Favorite Christmas song?
A Star to Follow or Old City Bar by Trans Siberian Orchestra.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Alternate years.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
No.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
When I had a tree a Star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas Morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Crowds.
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
I can't stand Egg Nog. I had half a glass once and almost threw up. So Hot Chocolate.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Wrap.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Colored. Never do the outside thing.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Naw. I can kiss the wife anytime I want.
5. When do you put your decorations up?
Usually about Dec 10th or so. We have some corner of the house (table, mantle something) decked out. Wife has allergic reactions to trees, and we have three cats, so we generally skip the tree.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Big slabs of white meat from a turkey.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
Can't think of any. On the other side - I can remember the year my dad threw down the tree and destroyed what few presents we had because he was drunk, and didn't think we had enough money for Christmas.. or the year we skipped any celebrations/decorations entirely (same reason).
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I can't remember. I don't know that I ever believed about Santa.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
not usually.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
See above - no tree. When we had one, garland, lights, ornaments. No icicles.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I hate driving it it (I don't trust the other drivers) but I enjoy watching it.
12. Can you ice skate?
Dunno, have never worn a pair, so probably not.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
As a chile, no. As an adult, see previous blog entries.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Celebrating with Family, and dwelling on the message of the gospel, and the birth of Christ, and what that means to the world.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Fudge.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Our Christmas corner.
17. What tops your tree?
No tree.
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Both.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Good Kind Wenceslas.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
They are okay. Generally leave them.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Paper, generally
2. Real tree or artificial?
Neither. Cats and Allergies.
3. When do you put up the tree?
Mu
4. When do you take your tree down?
Mu
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I don't remember anything in particular
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes - it's the center of our Christmas decorations, where it should be.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Just about anyone. I'm no good at figureing out presents.
9. Easiest person to buy for?
Lesslie, just because I know her so well.
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
See the above list and not celebrating for a few years.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Email in general.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Does Die Hard Count?
The Rankin/Bass Santa Trilogy (Santa is coming to Down, Rudolph, and Year without Santa)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I try to start in early Nov. Realistically, I usually do it sometime around Dec 15th.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Turkey, with Mandarin Oranges, Olives, Mashed Potatoes and corn. Yumm!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Colored. White lights are boring.
17. Favorite Christmas song?
A Star to Follow or Old City Bar by Trans Siberian Orchestra.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Alternate years.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
No.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
When I had a tree a Star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas Morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Crowds.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Firday Memes Dec15 2006
The feast
Appetizer
What was your very first job with a paycheck?
I was 18 - working in the Chemistry Lab at University of Oregon.
Soup
Did you ever lose something really important to you?
Yeah. But I found a new one, even better, and then I married her.
Salad
What is the best Christmas present you ever received?
Toughie - for just plain niftyness I would have to say when my wife got me the Return to Forever CD Romantic Warrior. I hadn't even known it had been released on CD, and it is one of my top 10 albums. Similarly she got me Pink World another year.
Main Course
Tell about a favorite "hang out" place for you and your friends when you were in high school.
The computer lab. Or the Library.
Yes we were geeks.
Dessert
Name something that always brings a smile to your face.
Seeing my wife smile.
And the Music
Styx - Losing Tommy Shaw. - They are a better band now minus DeYoung then they were when DeYoung was there and Shaw was gone.
Beatles - Yoko Ono (need I say more).
Milli Vanilli - that whole lipsync thing. And instead of taking the Grammys away, why weren't they awarded to the people who actually sang the music.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - taking that particular plane.
Appetizer
What was your very first job with a paycheck?
I was 18 - working in the Chemistry Lab at University of Oregon.
Soup
Did you ever lose something really important to you?
Yeah. But I found a new one, even better, and then I married her.
Salad
What is the best Christmas present you ever received?
Toughie - for just plain niftyness I would have to say when my wife got me the Return to Forever CD Romantic Warrior. I hadn't even known it had been released on CD, and it is one of my top 10 albums. Similarly she got me Pink World another year.
Main Course
Tell about a favorite "hang out" place for you and your friends when you were in high school.
The computer lab. Or the Library.
Yes we were geeks.
Dessert
Name something that always brings a smile to your face.
Seeing my wife smile.
And the Music
Top 5 musical mishaps (Things that you've done, or artists have done that are a big Whoops!)
Not sure what kind of Whoops we are talking about, so I'm just sorta winging it. Lots of opinion.
Billy Joel in Second Wind - he blows a line and then laughs about it. He was going to cut it out, but his wife insisted he keep it in, because the song was all about making mistakes.
Styx - Losing Tommy Shaw. - They are a better band now minus DeYoung then they were when DeYoung was there and Shaw was gone.
Beatles - Yoko Ono (need I say more).
Milli Vanilli - that whole lipsync thing. And instead of taking the Grammys away, why weren't they awarded to the people who actually sang the music.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - taking that particular plane.
Skipping the other half as I can't think of five new bands or Albums that I found this year - everything was stuff I already knew.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Some thoughts on superheroes
First off, the sad news - on Dec 9th, Martin Nodell passed away. He was the original creator of the Green Lantern. And I think it interesting that while there are many many green lanterns, the original is still going strong in the pages of the JSA.
A side note - the classic Lantern Oath - "In brightest day, in blackest night ect" was written by Alfred Bester the Science Fiction author.
On to more modern things, but keeping with the Green Lantern theme here - the GLs in DC seem to be taking over. There are two monthly GL titles, and 2 running miniseries, one of which is in prestige format. I love that. Back in the day the Legion was always my favorite comic, with GL coming in second; yes I really enjoy SF superheroes. Now that Hal is back, my interest in GL has gone back up a couple of notches - not that I disliked Kyle or anything, I love the character, but his comic was going strong at the time I never read much comics. My primary exposure to him was in the JLA and I loved that. I'm also digging the Ion mini right now, and the fact that he isn't just another Green Lantern (which is great for Kyle fans, the character is something special). If the GL thing turns into a subuniverser (sorta the way all the X-titles do in Marvel) I'd be a happy camper.
*****
I finally saw Superman Returns. And I have seen the greatest Superhero move in the last decade or more. Perhaps because I consider the original Reeve/Donner the single greatest superhero movie ever made, perhaps because I think the character is superheroes distilled to their essence, but this movie really moved me. I'm glad to see the DC franchises in movies getting thier act together* - with Batman Begins and Superman Returns we have had a coupld of great movies; and here is crossing fingers for Whedon's Wonder Woman. If that is successful, maybe we could have a JLA movie; here is hoping.
* I am completely ignoring the Jack Black Green Lantern movie being billed as a whacky comedy... come on guys you were doing so well.
*****
On to comics themselves.
Not counting miniseries I read about 40 titles. Here is the breakdown.
Astro City (named all by itself just because it is the greatest superhero comic ever written).
5 are mainstream Marvel titles (and only one of them is connected to the Civil War nonsense, 2 are less than 6 months old, and one is dimension hopping)
6 are indy titles
1 is a non mainstream Marvel (JMS' squadron Supreme)
4 Marvel Ultimate titles
so 17 there.
Everything else is DC.
About par for the course.
At some future point I may list them completely to start discussions, but as I think only 2 or 3 people read this thing, and I know one of them doesn't read comics anymore (Looking at you Mike), dunno how much desire is there for that. :)
A side note - the classic Lantern Oath - "In brightest day, in blackest night ect" was written by Alfred Bester the Science Fiction author.
On to more modern things, but keeping with the Green Lantern theme here - the GLs in DC seem to be taking over. There are two monthly GL titles, and 2 running miniseries, one of which is in prestige format. I love that. Back in the day the Legion was always my favorite comic, with GL coming in second; yes I really enjoy SF superheroes. Now that Hal is back, my interest in GL has gone back up a couple of notches - not that I disliked Kyle or anything, I love the character, but his comic was going strong at the time I never read much comics. My primary exposure to him was in the JLA and I loved that. I'm also digging the Ion mini right now, and the fact that he isn't just another Green Lantern (which is great for Kyle fans, the character is something special). If the GL thing turns into a subuniverser (sorta the way all the X-titles do in Marvel) I'd be a happy camper.
*****
I finally saw Superman Returns. And I have seen the greatest Superhero move in the last decade or more. Perhaps because I consider the original Reeve/Donner the single greatest superhero movie ever made, perhaps because I think the character is superheroes distilled to their essence, but this movie really moved me. I'm glad to see the DC franchises in movies getting thier act together* - with Batman Begins and Superman Returns we have had a coupld of great movies; and here is crossing fingers for Whedon's Wonder Woman. If that is successful, maybe we could have a JLA movie; here is hoping.
* I am completely ignoring the Jack Black Green Lantern movie being billed as a whacky comedy... come on guys you were doing so well.
*****
On to comics themselves.
Not counting miniseries I read about 40 titles. Here is the breakdown.
Astro City (named all by itself just because it is the greatest superhero comic ever written).
5 are mainstream Marvel titles (and only one of them is connected to the Civil War nonsense, 2 are less than 6 months old, and one is dimension hopping)
6 are indy titles
1 is a non mainstream Marvel (JMS' squadron Supreme)
4 Marvel Ultimate titles
so 17 there.
Everything else is DC.
About par for the course.
At some future point I may list them completely to start discussions, but as I think only 2 or 3 people read this thing, and I know one of them doesn't read comics anymore (Looking at you Mike), dunno how much desire is there for that. :)
Monday, December 11, 2006
Just a small funny
Saw this one on a message board. I'm sure it was photoshopped, but it is still amusing.
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Memes 09Dec06
First the Feast
Appetizer
Which language would you like to learn and why?
For Fun - Klingon - I started it and wouldn't mind finishing it. For use - Spanish. Our Ward meets in the same building as a Spanish Branch, it would be nice to talk to the other people in our area. :) Plus our new next door neighbors only speak Spanish, and I'd love to be able to talk to them.
Soup
What's the funniest thing you've heard or read so far this week?
I've been reading some new comics, and the introduction of Maxine Hunkle in the brand new JSA was hilarious. I'm really going to like this character.
Salad
Which movie was so bad you couldn't watch the whole thing?
If you mean walked out of or quit watching.. not many come to mind. Rob Roy was one I couldn't finish. If you mean watch on DVD and cannot sit through the whole thing, and scan over parts of it - both the Spider-man movies. I would rather not watch them than be forced to sit through complete versions.
Main Course
If there were a holiday in your honor that didn't use your actual name, what would the day be called?
World Happiness day - celebrating the worldwide cure for Depression. If I could.
Dessert
Name one movie which is coming out soon that you would like to see.
Whoo boy - because of the Wife's Asthma going out to movies is a rare thing these days, but I am interested in 300, Deja Vu and a couple of others. As I don't get to go see the movies, I tend not to pay attention to what is coming out.
Now the Music
Top 5 CDs you'd like to find in your Christmas stocking this year.
Rocket Scientist - Revolution Road
Jimmy Castor Bunch - Greatest Hits
Frickin' A - Big Egos No IdeasEric Norlander - Hommage Symphonique
Lana Lane - Gemini
The last two are cover albums by a couple of my favorite musicians.
Monday, December 4, 2006
This came up on the HERO system discussion boards, in reference to the Civil War and human rights violations thereof. It pretty much sums up my view of the Marvel U. It is really sad and pathetic that the fairly Iron Age Ultimate Universe is more heroic than the mainstream Marvel U.
I've ceased considering the general populace of Earth Marvel to be human.There are the superhumans, who choose good or evil. And then you have the psychotically ungrateful and envious general population, who seem less like people and more like minor demons of spite given human form. - Metaphysician
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Contest
A no-prize to the first person who gets the reference in my "random question" in my profile. Except you Mike, because I know you know it.
What would you name your ballet inspired by the sight of children leaping through a garden sprinkler?
Lavender Blue
Saturday, December 2, 2006
At it again / TV
I deleted my old blog quite a bit ago, but I decided to give it another try.... if nothing else to keep blogging with a couple of friends.
Based on a discussion over at dilliwag's site about TV shows I thought I would comment on some current TV.
First off:
Heroes - the best show currently on TV. Superpowers, geek in-references, good writing, great characters. It's one of those shows (like B5 and DS9 before) wherein I like every character good or bad.
Battlestar Galactica - Decent show, and likely on the bottom of my list. It started great, but I really didn't care for the end of second season - we'll see if third season pulls it back to be really good again.
Dead Zone - Based on the Stephen King novel, and done by the Pillars, who were behind DS9. Was my favorite current TV show up until Heroes came on the air.
Stargate SG-1 - I really enjoy the show, and the last couple of seasons have Ben Browder. Woohoo.
Stargate Atlantis - I've only seen season 1, but really enjoyed it. It has great potential.
Both the Stargates don't take themselves seriously; and that is a really good thing. One of the biggest problems with BSG is that it is just too unrelentenly bleak.
24 & The Shield - Great modern action adventure. One spy, one cop. The characters are great and fun to watch.
Monk - A modern version of Sherlock Holmes. Tony Shalhoub is amazing.
Based on a discussion over at dilliwag's site about TV shows I thought I would comment on some current TV.
First off:
Heroes - the best show currently on TV. Superpowers, geek in-references, good writing, great characters. It's one of those shows (like B5 and DS9 before) wherein I like every character good or bad.
Battlestar Galactica - Decent show, and likely on the bottom of my list. It started great, but I really didn't care for the end of second season - we'll see if third season pulls it back to be really good again.
Dead Zone - Based on the Stephen King novel, and done by the Pillars, who were behind DS9. Was my favorite current TV show up until Heroes came on the air.
Stargate SG-1 - I really enjoy the show, and the last couple of seasons have Ben Browder. Woohoo.
Stargate Atlantis - I've only seen season 1, but really enjoyed it. It has great potential.
Both the Stargates don't take themselves seriously; and that is a really good thing. One of the biggest problems with BSG is that it is just too unrelentenly bleak.
24 & The Shield - Great modern action adventure. One spy, one cop. The characters are great and fun to watch.
Monk - A modern version of Sherlock Holmes. Tony Shalhoub is amazing.