tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143915452024-03-23T13:17:23.690-05:00Opiate of the Masses"3. Fat is the new black. There's something fabulous and incredibly sexy about it." - <a href="http://funkywoodjam.blogspot.com/2006/10/fwj-fashion-plate.html">Isaac Mizrahi</a>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.comBlogger605125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-21506356358856197182010-03-21T16:06:00.003-05:002010-03-21T16:11:47.874-05:00Moving Day!Well, it has been pretty quiet around here lately. Clearly it is time to move! If you're still following this blog you can find the new an improved Opiate of the Masses at <a href="http://www.the-opiate.com">http://www.the-opiate.com</a> or point you feed aggregater at <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/the-opiate/cbGM">http://feeds.feedburner.com/the-opiate/cbGM<br /></a><br />Hope to see you in the new joint!Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-81063276139306526652009-04-03T10:19:00.001-05:002009-04-03T10:21:28.613-05:00What awaits......at the intersection of cute and killer?<br /><br />Check out today's episode of "<a href="http://www.agreeablecomics.com/therack/?p=832">The Rack</a>" to find out.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-60829212640791213832009-04-02T14:25:00.004-05:002009-04-02T14:31:20.431-05:00WWJB? - First in a SeriesI am having one of those days where my mind in jumping from item to item and I can not seem to form a coherent thought. This means I have had a couple of stupid-crazy ideas so far today, one of them being compiling a list of things I would buy if I won the lottery. Of course I can't concentrate on this list long enough to make it past the first few items but it occurs to me that this list might be fun to keep therefore I am going to do this list as a series of totally random posts on the Opiate entitled WWJB? or "What Would James Buy?"<br /><br />Now I would like to present #1 on the WWJB list: A Godzilla Suit.<br /><br />Why? Because nothing says excess like taking care of mundane chores dressed as Godzilla. Plus I would be about 1/3rd of the way towards hosting my Godzilla-theme party where the attendees have the opportunity to dress as Godzilla and destroy parts of Tokyo.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-8580862020867409402009-03-04T21:47:00.000-06:002009-03-04T21:47:00.659-06:00Random Panels - Justice League of America #29<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oWq_I4pY3uTi4ZOpD-cqLENS3RkvHzBdUdiKdU5VhNFFE87ewvyKwyCm8_QDnIxV4nUBKx5bNZbdBk4jwDT0BQe0C_Azh4bI_wAb5u25HNuxq527YNSWB25iRA651_CkcnHY/s1600-h/JLA001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 385px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oWq_I4pY3uTi4ZOpD-cqLENS3RkvHzBdUdiKdU5VhNFFE87ewvyKwyCm8_QDnIxV4nUBKx5bNZbdBk4jwDT0BQe0C_Azh4bI_wAb5u25HNuxq527YNSWB25iRA651_CkcnHY/s400/JLA001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308810153450518530" border="0" /></a><br />Usually I post panels here that strike me as funny however I just wanted to post this panel which demonstrates what makes comics fun: you can do ANYTHING and the audience buys it. There was not a moment when I saw this panel where I thought, "WTF?!?" This sense of the impossible being possible is something I think the most recent incarnation of the Superman movie franchise lost. This is not to say I did not like the film, to the contrary I <i>REALLY</i> like Singer's Superman, however I think the movie could have used a bit more of this and a bit less of the <i>Dark Knight</i>-esque angst.<br /><br />From "Star Struck" in the 29th issue of the latest incarnation of Justice League of America.<br />Len Wein, writer<br />Chris Cross (makes me want to jump jump), pencils<br />Rob Stull with Chris Cross (who still makes me want to jump jump), inks<br /></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-90937875902727490282009-02-28T11:11:00.000-06:002009-03-02T23:19:29.094-06:00Shadowrun@20This past week I learned that <a href="http://www.shadowrun4.com/">Shadowrun</a>, my most favoritest RPG EVAR, turns 20 this year. I have no idea why this was such a surprise as I have been playing the game since I was in high school. Of course it may have been a surprise since I still think of myself as 18 and the thought that I started high school over 20 years ago now is really, really depressing.<br /><br />Anyhoo, as part of the celebration* the Shadowrun developers, now at <a href="http://catalystgamelabs.com/">Catalyst Game Labs</a>, are throwing open the gates and having an open call for anniversary adventures. Here is part of<a href="http://www.shadowrun4.com/wordpress/2009/02/february-fan-chat-transcript/"> the call from the website</a>:<br /><blockquote>Shadowrun has enjoyed enormous fan support over the years and many of our current freelancers have come up from the fanbase. So, we’ve decided to try something different this year and give our fans the chance of contributing a little something to the official Shadowrun universe. To celebrate 20 years of Shadowrun, Catalyst Game Labs is inviting fans to submit a proposal for a fully developed, standalone adventure which will be published as an e-book. Furthermore, we’re specifically looking for proposals that play off the stories, plots, and adventures released in Shadowrun’s early years.<br /></blockquote>I don't know where my adventure notes are, but I do have rather fond memories of an adventure that Jack and I co-GMed back in the day. I might just try and dust off those memories and see if I can get the requisite materials put together before the March 15th deadline**. Personally I think they ought to do this every year but that is just me.<br /><br />For those of you who might doubt my 'runner cred, I offer this picture of my library of Shadowrun RPG books:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiON_vu6M9wGeL_yRDRE8g21WJ7IKYg0Vvn7RJEGzeXac96aoqu-J51-3Ev9iFb4iUbF1IGdaFTSNUXG-inMUHeAJ8jkdiilNtj-F5YFoj-a14nH3RMb3cwzGQUVIdX9Fg9xVtx/s1600-h/IMG_9547.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiON_vu6M9wGeL_yRDRE8g21WJ7IKYg0Vvn7RJEGzeXac96aoqu-J51-3Ev9iFb4iUbF1IGdaFTSNUXG-inMUHeAJ8jkdiilNtj-F5YFoj-a14nH3RMb3cwzGQUVIdX9Fg9xVtx/s400/IMG_9547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308825096293151202" border="0" /></a><br />I am only missing some of the newer 4th edition books. Not pictured is my complete collection of the Ka-Ge and Shadowland magazines, my Denver and DMZ boxed sets, and the smattering of Shadowrun novels which I own.<br /><br /><br />* One of these times I would like to see someone totally blow off the 20th anniversary and have an EPIC blowout for the 21st anniversary.<br /><br />** If Jack or any of my old players want to help with this, give me a call or shoot me an email.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-70025565687249716312009-02-27T22:21:00.000-06:002009-03-02T23:20:06.092-06:00Random Thought - 2-27-08In order for this to be funny you need to know that today was Go Texan Day around the office since the <a href="http://www.hlsr.com/">Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo</a>, which will be the bane of my commuting existence for the next month, is about to get underway. Thus some people around the office were dressed a little more cowboy than usual.<br /><br />Earlier today as I was talking with a coworker I heard the distinct sound of slapping coming from one of the lawyers offices and the first thought that went through my mind was, "Man, I did not know that the release of <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0388795/">Brokeback Mountain</a></i> changed the meaning of '<a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cowboy%20up">cowboy up</a>' to THAT."<br /><br />Some days my head hurts me in ways only therapy might be able to heal.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-57702638029241025092009-02-25T19:17:00.000-06:002009-03-01T21:46:21.329-06:00Random Panels - Jack of Fables #30<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOo6QNgFRb_qhX0ARZhpsDNCoSMxHvZiXfV98EykkJGDl5uJzv2tHiXkFDpY8jtqwvWyw4Voy09WmULIdBHTuHz0vx97FZKZvM5ZxahJpGpmJe7yKO_xmyPIaGTvhHgc2ri2Cb/s1600-h/JackofFables001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOo6QNgFRb_qhX0ARZhpsDNCoSMxHvZiXfV98EykkJGDl5uJzv2tHiXkFDpY8jtqwvWyw4Voy09WmULIdBHTuHz0vx97FZKZvM5ZxahJpGpmJe7yKO_xmyPIaGTvhHgc2ri2Cb/s400/JackofFables001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308421728562332066" border="0" /></a>I thought this panel was appropriate in light of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A8AYa5JqmU">President Obama's speech last night</a>.<br /><br />From the ALWAYS excellent and highly recommended Fables, in this case issue #30, "The Book of Restoration"<br />Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham, writers<br />Russ Braun, pencils<br />Jose Marzan, inks<br /></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-59562394757446022322009-02-24T00:07:00.001-06:002009-02-25T00:34:13.971-06:00Halloween 1977I mentioned the FLICKR group <a href="http://flickr.com/groups/growingupstarwars/">Growing Up Star Wars</a> in a <a href="http://funkywoodjam.blogspot.com/2009/01/random-linkbloggery-and-youtubing.html">linkbloggery post from last month</a>. Flipping through the pictures in this group filled me with jealousy at the awe-inspiring collections of Star Wars toys some of this kids managed to accumulate but more importantly it reminded me of two Halloween costumes my parents built for me or helped me to build. The first was an R2-D2 costume back in 1977. The second was a Yoda costume in '81 or '82.<br /><br />I asked my mom if she had any pictures of these costumes and as it turns out she had a few of James as R2-D2 which I thought I would share with you guys. Sadly mom has not been able to find any pictures of James the Jedi Master.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31r5VyZz5skAWMomAbAWkbBX7Sc9fq2JeeokcGRaOwFnTA91dt_q-hySw4PofJ_68vJ_JL2Dfs76QHQQXw4_-2r5C4HkWDCLfV3EOK8U5qgbtMsBLCdyrUYVM3ukuLudf_r5R/s1600-h/R2D2005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31r5VyZz5skAWMomAbAWkbBX7Sc9fq2JeeokcGRaOwFnTA91dt_q-hySw4PofJ_68vJ_JL2Dfs76QHQQXw4_-2r5C4HkWDCLfV3EOK8U5qgbtMsBLCdyrUYVM3ukuLudf_r5R/s400/R2D2005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306617278498854402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkCqMBpvumtLHEwOFa9Vq3IJHBGIBvfTX3sryBRkWhCG4bqVUrKsPXSID8pjbsGNTMRii7bL00mA_xkPQql00ZhtZFajzRktDI8ihtK6kUMrS3sHMAiBS5vnN-e6XCE8uaHvv/s1600-h/R2D2006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkCqMBpvumtLHEwOFa9Vq3IJHBGIBvfTX3sryBRkWhCG4bqVUrKsPXSID8pjbsGNTMRii7bL00mA_xkPQql00ZhtZFajzRktDI8ihtK6kUMrS3sHMAiBS5vnN-e6XCE8uaHvv/s400/R2D2006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306618780918998290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuReKcn0-Xvt_voEu8F-3IDnesJ9e2SfmoqDf370ggnGPs_C5sW2AyGSTnwHSulhfjqOslnOGhjxq1T4L9Dy4A-ou1dDWdlM9BPmxYI1FY1ghUUni4F-zWKAqAc-mJkGLZNqw/s1600-h/R2D2003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuReKcn0-Xvt_voEu8F-3IDnesJ9e2SfmoqDf370ggnGPs_C5sW2AyGSTnwHSulhfjqOslnOGhjxq1T4L9Dy4A-ou1dDWdlM9BPmxYI1FY1ghUUni4F-zWKAqAc-mJkGLZNqw/s400/R2D2003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306617278274255858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyJ7qtu0zL2DZFePfl2q6FrBYe7a4FoPFxaNo4EHknozPgINxAFaudMEI_Xg046-BICdKD9IHdFT14tZC2Pe4bicgkdCkWxqVxRcWE4sfpR55g86sARYlWKIym5WG18tsBuOb/s1600-h/R2D2002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyJ7qtu0zL2DZFePfl2q6FrBYe7a4FoPFxaNo4EHknozPgINxAFaudMEI_Xg046-BICdKD9IHdFT14tZC2Pe4bicgkdCkWxqVxRcWE4sfpR55g86sARYlWKIym5WG18tsBuOb/s400/R2D2002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306617275710148066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoV9nJp_pu5Ioi-C8Vigqkor3ZqeTpHGA2TKvkmW3mYvaI1G0s7AcI4suAxAwF8pRmkymE9Lf4DIjLMt6CuUzYoICL1zJ6Qxgi-X7RkcxBYXTDBF2tev6xanak4oSxDIKcnDV/s1600-h/R2D2004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoV9nJp_pu5Ioi-C8Vigqkor3ZqeTpHGA2TKvkmW3mYvaI1G0s7AcI4suAxAwF8pRmkymE9Lf4DIjLMt6CuUzYoICL1zJ6Qxgi-X7RkcxBYXTDBF2tev6xanak4oSxDIKcnDV/s400/R2D2004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306617275684566930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw4qp4ZCqA3l_OXi8TE2XQXBVh_eRR3w58C9S9UKvuFIo2496tJ22WoiYaayXGH6VKfJLye-_0yGOOqSLKKIb-QdtL7bYzRijVvfKbNaTwDB1YJWJiFJLDn_s0U3O7D6qm_Kf/s1600-h/R2D2001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw4qp4ZCqA3l_OXi8TE2XQXBVh_eRR3w58C9S9UKvuFIo2496tJ22WoiYaayXGH6VKfJLye-_0yGOOqSLKKIb-QdtL7bYzRijVvfKbNaTwDB1YJWJiFJLDn_s0U3O7D6qm_Kf/s400/R2D2001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306617273060421362" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-43626333075890899562009-02-23T03:42:00.000-06:002009-02-23T03:42:00.501-06:00Why They Love Monty PythonHow can I follow up that <a href="http://funkywoodjam.blogspot.com/2008/12/chrsitmas-gifts-from-me-to-you.html">awesome Christmas gift</a> I gave you guys? Well, I thought you might find this interesting:<br /><br /><center><object width="580" height="365"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QNRkhJc2d_w&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QNRkhJc2d_w&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="365"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><a href="http://onegoodmove.org/1gm/1gmarchive/2009/01/why_they_love_m.html">Thanks to Norm over at Onegoodmove.org!</a>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-48722937033213061262009-02-22T15:32:00.003-06:002009-02-22T15:42:50.471-06:00I <3 LEGOLately there seems to have been a flurry of LEGO related posts showing up across the internets and since I am a follower rather than a leader I thought I would throw some of my favorites here for your enjoyment:<br /><br />1. LEGO Twin Peaks courtesy of <a href="http://www.highway-62.com/blog/archives/2009/01/lego_twin_peaks_1.htm">Matt</a>, whose GN <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Strangeways-Murder-Moon-Matt-Maxwell/dp/0979695708/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222313665&sr=8-1">Strangeways: Murder Moon</a></u> you should go forth and purchase. I have never seen ANY Twin Peaks so I can't speak to how authentic this is, however this made me chuckle and thus is worth sharing.<br /><br /><center><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zydZq2lVnns&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zydZq2lVnns&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><br />2. Generally abstract art, and particularly abstract sculpture, just bugs the C-R-A-P out of me, however when you make your abstract art out of LEGO, <a href="http://niemann.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/i-lego-ny/">like this guy did</a>, all is forgiven.<br /><br /><br />3. I can't remember where I found <a href="http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=363163">this gallery</a>, but Yamato + LEGO? There is nothing that is not awesome here:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcjYuyAU_gTrY7DSxbrx_TGN4_hXHovykvjphweEqVTRXnqyA2Z0fj-V-fjBu-8jauhX-FwNRhOOBaVty2O-TjWWNKHcDLUQBs1OM5dE86HyhUB5K9uxB52HZnevnG7EiSUCn/s1600-h/fvin_yamato_05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcjYuyAU_gTrY7DSxbrx_TGN4_hXHovykvjphweEqVTRXnqyA2Z0fj-V-fjBu-8jauhX-FwNRhOOBaVty2O-TjWWNKHcDLUQBs1OM5dE86HyhUB5K9uxB52HZnevnG7EiSUCn/s400/fvin_yamato_05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305739059036985410" border="0" /></a><br />You ought to check out some of <a href="http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=fvin">fvin's other Brickshelf galleries</a> as well. He has some pretty cool stuff including a few Gundams and a Patlabor.<br /><br /><br />4. Finally thanks to my buddy Don and the powers of Gizmodo I got to see <a href="http://i.gizmodo.com/5139088/lego-galactica-clusterfrak-so-big-it-can-probably-crush-a-real-cylon-baseship">this</a>. Since it was a slow day seeing that led to finding <a href="http://retardmedia.com/2008/02/29/amazing-lego-viper-from-new-battlestar-galactica/">this</a>, <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/wintermute2600/2296314943/in/set-72157604482096407/">this</a>, <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/wintermute2600/2297072068/">this</a>, <a href="http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=304038">this</a>, and <a href="http://www.brothers-brick.com/2008/07/29/vipers-chieflug-the-lego-zombie-apocafest-and-brickcon-2008/">this</a> via Google. About my only complaint is that people post these PHENOMENAL creations but do not then create sets of instructions for them. I realize part of the fun of LEGO is creating your own stuff, or having <a href="http://www.the-isb.com/?p=548">Shaq fight sharks</a>, but there are times when I just want to build something new without having to figure things out.<br /><br /><br />Oh, one last thing, if you are a LEGO fan, then you want to check out <a href="http://www.twomorrows.com/">TwoMorrows Publishing</a>, publishers of <a href="http://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=78">BrickJournal</a> which they describe as "The Magazine for LEGO Enthusiasts!" I picked up a recent issue and enjoyed the art and the articles although, once again, I wish there were more directions.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-52407239174735092652009-02-21T20:17:00.002-06:002009-02-21T20:19:41.723-06:00Bigger and BetterAs Wil often says, we're living in the future and thanks to this guy the future is bigger and better:<br /><br /><center><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z30Z4iZSnJk&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z30Z4iZSnJk&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><a href="http://www.dannychoo.com/detail/mac/eng/image/14873/Breast+Enlargement+Ringtone.html">Thanks to Danny Choo for pointing this out</a>.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-28714688636492449612009-02-19T14:20:00.000-06:002009-02-21T20:17:28.597-06:00IfThis would be funnier if it was not so true.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu5lDvAlog3HsS9SsQA8rlQH0xdbT1SoAmN97_OXXHzjOjcu-9jr28DOQ0nrJaeBAUDfaIUJmLX4AQxyL8wY1QyhXabHvQ8XMKgpuyFBRbyyIvggHgVY_WEDTpVuzyu80A0IQ/s1600-h/02012009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu5lDvAlog3HsS9SsQA8rlQH0xdbT1SoAmN97_OXXHzjOjcu-9jr28DOQ0nrJaeBAUDfaIUJmLX4AQxyL8wY1QyhXabHvQ8XMKgpuyFBRbyyIvggHgVY_WEDTpVuzyu80A0IQ/s400/02012009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304235677794880914" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://extras.sltrib.com/bagley/Archive.asp?Vol=content&Num=11">From the Feb. 1st edition of the Salt Lake Tribune</a>. Found via <a href="http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/02/if-bankers-were-firemen/">The Big Picture</a>, my favorite econoblog.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-52770452420835635472009-02-19T03:49:00.001-06:002009-02-19T03:49:00.111-06:00Thoughts RE: TwitterDespite being a geek and loving technology, I tend to be a late adopter when it comes to new technology. I did not own a cellphone until late in 2005 and, despite having owned two of them now, have yet to actually purchase a Blackberry. I did not purchase an iPod until late in 2006. I was not on MySpace until a "friend" created an account for me alleging I was a 16-year-old gay boy from Alaska. Both of my laptops and both of my desktops have been, like both of my Blackberrys, hand-me-downs from friends or, even better, friend's companies.<br /><br />I think this is largely driven by the fact that I rarely see the utility of all these wonderful toys that people keep <s>releasing</s> unleashing on the public. Another factor that drives this is that I like my technology to work the way it is meant to work and, as intelligent early adopters know, there are going to be kinks which need to be worked out with any bit of tech. Then there is the whole price penalty for being an early adopter and, deep down inside, I am a cheap bastard. But to be honest this has wandered away from the point a bit, which is my somewhat random thoughts on Twitter as I give in and sign up for an account.<br /><br />I am not certain when Twitter first popped up on my radar. I think it was when one of my coworkers proposed that our team use this to give each other updates on where we were. Since we all have offices within about 200 feet of each other this idea was quickly shelved. (Of course the coworker in question is pretty much the LINUX guy from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-L-0s-7-Z0">this TrueNuff Mac commercial</a> spoof and feels the need to incorporate WAY too much tech into our processes. We call him The Complicator.) As Twitter has further penetrated the geek culture to which I pay some modicum of attention it has continued to pop up on my radar intermittently until last month (or maybe it was December) when it finally came up at the office in a legitimate context.<br /><br />Now in order to answer some of the questions regarding Twitter that came up in this discussion at the office, I find myself creating an account. I was poking around the site when I came across this:<br /><br /><blockquote>With Twitter, you can stay hyper-connected to your friends and always know what they're doing...<b>Twitter puts you in control</b> and becomes a modern antidote to information overload.<br /></blockquote><br />Wait, what? The VERY same product that allows me to stay "hyper-connected" is also a "modern antidote to information overload?" Is it just me or do those two things seem to be EXACT OPPOSITES and, at least to my small mind, mutually exclusive.<br /><br />Oh well, you can follow me by searching for my name, with initial, or you can view my tweets via <a href="http://twitter.com/funkywoodjam">http://twitter.com/funkywoodjam</a>.<br /><br />I think.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-29154543092511994612009-02-18T04:02:00.001-06:002009-02-18T04:02:00.162-06:00Random Panels - Nightwing #150<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXu_BbdI1ygOxcgH8nf0l9oOCiZVSrvZnkz3V-B29F2Eg4PHC3KF8Wn77UWxCjB3lY1V-KpbcLsjZF19gdpWoHIqTAF3lZugnFUgPuCsA9aAE-kGt7tdQaOsxyMuyhkPoHnBr/s1600-h/Nightwing150.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXu_BbdI1ygOxcgH8nf0l9oOCiZVSrvZnkz3V-B29F2Eg4PHC3KF8Wn77UWxCjB3lY1V-KpbcLsjZF19gdpWoHIqTAF3lZugnFUgPuCsA9aAE-kGt7tdQaOsxyMuyhkPoHnBr/s400/Nightwing150.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300179945223919650" border="0" /></a>"Hey! You got your Batman in my Star Trek!"<br />"No, <span style="font-style: italic;">YOU </span>got <span style="font-style: italic;">YOUR </span>Star Trek in my Batman!"<br />Oh, who really cares. A red shirt reference is ALWAYS appreciated by this geek.<br /><br />From Nightwing #150, "The Great Leap: Conclusion" part of the Batman R.I.P. story arc.<br />Peter J. Tomasi, Writer<br />Don Kramer, Penciller<br />Jay Leisten & Rodney Ramos, Inkers<br /></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-58221598944663183372009-02-14T03:56:00.000-06:002009-02-14T03:56:00.259-06:00TRON v. Depeche Mode<center><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TefPAkIAz9E&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TefPAkIAz9E&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></center><br /><br />I found this video while cleaning up my backlog of unread posts at io9 and thought it was worth sharing with those of you who might not read io9.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-59446124027897680012009-02-13T12:52:00.002-06:002009-02-13T13:28:09.740-06:00STFU Files: Lucie J. KimI HAAAAAAATE it when I actually agree with <a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2009/02/12/yellow-is-not-mellow-asian-americans-file-4-billion-lawsuit-against-insensitive-miley-cyrus/">Michelle Malkin</a> but in this case I think I am in lock step (or is that goose step?) with her. Apparently Lucie "Who the FUCK spells my first name like that" J. Kim is offended by a <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2009/02/02/asian-group-not-mad-at-one-of-these-people/">photo of Mylie Cyrus making racially insensitive faces</a> and, as any reasonable American, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,491304,00.html">she is suing for something on the order of $4 BILLION dollars</a>. Now I do not condone Mylie's behavior in the photo but for Christ's sake, the girl is 16. She is going to do dumb things. Of course according to <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2009/02/12/asians-want-4-billion-from-miley/">this article at TMZ</a>, the Mylie's just a kid defense won't work because, "She [Kim] says it's like Paris Hilton claiming to be just a kid." Of course this is ignoring the, I believe somewhat pertinent fact, that Paris Hilton is 27 or, for those of you keeping score at home, ELEVEN years older than Mylie.<br /><br />Part of me wants to rant on and on and on about this, but considering the way this week went, it is just misplaced rage, so I will just say that Lucie J. Kim please sit down and SHUT THE FUCK UP. This is exactly the sort of infantile bullshit that we don't need right now.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rjkoehler.com/2009/02/13/miley-cyrus-sued/">Thanks to Robert over at The Marmot's Hole for bringing this perfectly reasonable use of the legal system to my attention.</a>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-67170422968584247722009-02-10T02:57:00.003-06:002009-02-10T02:57:00.357-06:00Random Panels - Secret Six #2<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ig_ET_WuJUfr2ei9bxoPK1i8XJtmjZliKGGXanOm2sN5ziPyl0t7jpzVQ7fUk5G_St5KayMfSA42UihleD_XMW2YaLSlHi9W1EN0NW884B7pSp1u7wY3UupVk7ZOZeCoeBsf/s1600-h/SecretSix2_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ig_ET_WuJUfr2ei9bxoPK1i8XJtmjZliKGGXanOm2sN5ziPyl0t7jpzVQ7fUk5G_St5KayMfSA42UihleD_XMW2YaLSlHi9W1EN0NW884B7pSp1u7wY3UupVk7ZOZeCoeBsf/s400/SecretSix2_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300177540149888370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsKYAJdmrAw1jcbbAV8Jn63Kkuj1gKZvMSzNXIt0PbKd_C1LOsMMpoS37zimQw87ejqzaCIEjuHf76dpoEMw6h2IhGg1f089Vd6Yr2VckQExolJDsSFRbPnvC_UjiA8AdXOgM/s1600-h/SecretSix2_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsKYAJdmrAw1jcbbAV8Jn63Kkuj1gKZvMSzNXIt0PbKd_C1LOsMMpoS37zimQw87ejqzaCIEjuHf76dpoEMw6h2IhGg1f089Vd6Yr2VckQExolJDsSFRbPnvC_UjiA8AdXOgM/s400/SecretSix2_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300177851860832530" border="0" /></a>While I prefer "pills" or "twig and giggle-berries" I suppose "ornament-things" works just as well.<br /><br />This week's edition is brought to you courtesy of:<br />Gail Simone - Writer<br />Nicola Scott - Penciller<br />Doug Hazlewood - Inker<br /></div>Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-77703561447693530772009-02-09T04:03:00.000-06:002009-02-09T04:03:00.381-06:00Sharks in the WaterSince I can't read Magyar, I have no idea what <a href="http://cukisag.blog.hu/2009/01/09/most_vegre_lathat_egy_vigyorgo_capat">this article is about</a>, however I assume it is about how awesome this photograph is:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivN2Xcu-wOSLQFyDP5M2c-_l1E-ZmWRZrG88pDof-UwqMKrb_40GZqd7yTeGTp_qD7III_epHKVRr3jjIYSSaYFj9yGgE2xF2ETuB-BnYnTP644hCg0u_56V6mXfYEtPEvC_in/s1600-h/capa2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 351px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivN2Xcu-wOSLQFyDP5M2c-_l1E-ZmWRZrG88pDof-UwqMKrb_40GZqd7yTeGTp_qD7III_epHKVRr3jjIYSSaYFj9yGgE2xF2ETuB-BnYnTP644hCg0u_56V6mXfYEtPEvC_in/s400/capa2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299809278182729026" border="0" /></a><br />Just thought this was worth sharing!Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-32415809168084847532009-02-08T04:07:00.000-06:002009-02-08T04:07:01.273-06:00Things I Learned Today1. There is a picture of Michael Phelps taking a hit from a bong floating around.<br />2. In response to this picture Kellogg has canceled his contract as a spokesfish.<br />3. People, presumably of the stoner bent, are trying to organize a boycott of Kellogg.<br />4. Kellogg manufactures something named <a href="http://www.visit4info.com/brand/Kelloggs-Fruit-Winders-range/5199">Screaming Fruit Winders</a> for the UK market.<br />5. Kellogg USED to manufacture a cereal named Puffa Puffa Rice.<br /><br />My thoughts on this new knowledge:<br /><br />1. WTF did you think a swimmers drug of choice would be? PCP?<br />2. Couldn't care less.<br />3. Like that crowd can organize anything for more than 10 minutes. I bet this boycott doesn't last past, oh I dunno, 5:30 pm. Right about when the munchies hit.<br />4. I don't care what a Screaming Fruit Winder actually is, it sounds F-I-L-T-H-Y; like Sheboygan Side-by-Side filthy.<br />5. Kellogg ought to bring back this cereal and have Michael Phelps be the spokesmerman for that line.<br /><br /><center><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EvCxfdcl1yM&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EvCxfdcl1yM&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="405" width="500"></embed></object></center><br /><br />Or they could change the name to Puffa Puffa Pass cereal.<br /><br />That's gold Jerry.<br /><br />Hawaiian gold!Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-26432323237626462792009-02-07T12:05:00.000-06:002009-02-07T12:05:00.666-06:00STFU Files: Joe the PlumberOkay would someone please let <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_the_plumber">Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher</a> know that in this economy fifteen minutes is fifteen minutes? I know we have seven billion stations on the air which need to fill 24 hours with news, but sweet monkey Jebus, do we really need to keep hearing from this douchebag? I wanted to throw uneducated in front of douchebag but figured that someone would throw my lack of college degree back in my face so we'll just have to agree that Joe (or is it Samuel?) has all the intellectual curiosity of a gently stewed rutabaga.<br /><br />To be honest the fact that he manages to remain in the public eye does not bother me as much as the fact that people seem to be taking him seriously. I mean bringing us the continuing adventures of Joe and Douchebag is one thing (although I would prefer we dedicate our precious national resoucres (read: airwaves) to the inevitable Paris Hilton v. Britney Spears v. Hillary Duff v. Christina Aguilera v. Lindsey Lohan pudding match) but inviting this guy to address the Republican Congressional leadership? Are you fucking kidding me? If this isn't the continuation of some massive piece of conservative performance art which began with the naming of Govv. Palin as Senator McCain's runningmate, then it better have been improv night at this meeting. At this point if they think Chucklehead Wurzelbacher would have anything substantive or useful to say, well, lets just say I am glad they don't have the keys to the castle any more.<br /><br />Here is current media crush <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/">Rachel Maddow</a> on the subject:<br /><br /><center><div><iframe height="339" width="425" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/29023062#29023062" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><style type="text/css">.msnbcLinks {font-size:11px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #999; margin-top: 5px; background: transparent; text-align: center; width: 425px;} .msnbcLinks a {text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px;} .msnbcLinks a:link, .msnbcLinks a:visited {color: #5799db !important;} .msnbcLinks a:hover, .msnbcLinks a:active {color:#CC0000 !important;} </style><p class="msnbcLinks">Visit msnbc.com for <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/">Breaking News</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507">World News</a>, and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072">News about the Economy</a></p></div></center><br /><br /><br />And here is a slightly more light-hearted take on the situation from <a href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/">Jon Stewart over at The Daily Show</a>:<br /><br /><center><style type="text/css">.cc_box a:hover .cc_home{background:url('http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-over.png') !important;}.cc_links a{color:#b9b9b9;text-decoration:none;}.cc_show a{color:#707070;text-decoration:none;}.cc_title a{color:#868686;text-decoration:none;}.cc_links a:hover{color:#67bee2;text-decoration:underline;}</style><div class="cc_box" style="position: relative;"><a href="http://www.comedycentral.com/" target="_blank" style="display: inline; float: left; width: 60px; height: 31px;"><div class="cc_home" style="border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-width: 1px 0px 0px 1px; background: transparent url(http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-out.png) repeat scroll 0% 0%; float: left; width: 60px; height: 31px; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"></div></a><div style="border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(207, 207, 207); border-width: 1px 1px 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; float: left; width: 299px; height: 31px; color: rgb(112, 112, 112); position: relative;"><div class="cc_show" style="overflow: hidden; position: relative; background-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); padding-left: 3px; height: 14px; padding-top: 2px;"><a href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/" target="_blank">The Daily Show With Jon Stewart</a><span style="position: absolute; top: 2px; right: 3px;">M - Th 11p / 10c</span></div><div class="cc_title" style="padding: 1px 3px 3px; overflow: hidden; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(134, 134, 134); background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245); line-height: 14px; height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=217682&title=joe-the-political-strategist" target="_blank">Joe the Political Strategist</a></div></div><embed style="float: left; clear: left;" src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:217682" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="window" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="autoPlay=false" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" bgcolor="#000000" height="301" width="360"></embed><div class="cc_links" style="border-style: none solid solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color rgb(207, 207, 207) rgb(207, 207, 207); border-width: 0px 1px 1px; float: left; clear: left; width: 358px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Verdana,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; color: rgb(185, 185, 185); background-color: rgb(245, 245, 245);"><div style="width: 177px; float: left; padding-left: 3px;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml">Daily Show Full Episodes</a><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/">Funny Political Videos</a></div><div style="width: 177px; float: left;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/important_things/index.jhtml">Important Things With Demetri Martin</a><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.comedycentral.com/funny_videos/index.jhtml">More Funny Videos</a></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div></center><br /><br />Seriously Joe, help a brother out and give our national stage back to <a href="http://www.starpulse.com/Supermodels/Hilton,_Paris/Pictures/">vapid blondes babes with, ahem, talent</a>.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-32096011955256290222009-02-06T11:14:00.002-06:002009-02-06T11:21:14.370-06:00Torchwood: Children of Earth Trailer<center><object width="500" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2AizV9vmGG0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2AizV9vmGG0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="315"></embed></object></center><br /><br />I am pretty excited about this! Hopefully the series will maintain the tone of the trailer, which many have pointed out is more <i>X-Files</i> than <i>Dr. Who</i>. In my <s>humble</s> opinion that is one of the best things about the trailer. I always felt that <i>Torchwood</i> wanted to be <i>The X-Files</i> with incidental <i>Who</i>, and there are some episodes which rise to that level. Hopefully this series will mark the coming of age of <i>Torchwood</i> which, of course, means we won't get any more <i>Torchwood</i> after this.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-33458557594403739782009-02-05T09:47:00.007-06:002009-02-05T10:53:27.507-06:00The Faceless Artist<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYGlgxC5TKQcCsI2Tt5IJrDDgVq_egdXBJ3c3kn4WfzZkIxHKdmDqsPW0QpWAvSJjsGgpNsXZ2NlirJG4fKCchtdkvR_ywlNr48CDcXns7Ltne09_7CNP0yxjJ9ijpQ7DyKyL/s1600-h/SunMu_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYGlgxC5TKQcCsI2Tt5IJrDDgVq_egdXBJ3c3kn4WfzZkIxHKdmDqsPW0QpWAvSJjsGgpNsXZ2NlirJG4fKCchtdkvR_ywlNr48CDcXns7Ltne09_7CNP0yxjJ9ijpQ7DyKyL/s200/SunMu_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299356964642821298" border="0" /></a>Thanks to <a href="http://www.rjkoehler.com/2009/02/05/defector-painter-in-the-iht/">Robert over at The Marmot's Hole</a> who pointed out <a href="http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/04/asia/painter.1-410764.php">this piece</a> from the International Herald Tribune. The article is about Sun Mu, a North Korean artist who left the DPRK* in 1998 and arrived in South Korea in 2001, and how his art speaks to the Korean condition. While I found the article somewhat interesting, what really wowed me was Sun Mu's art. My tastes in art tend to run towards the more commercial art; movie posters, illustrations, and the like. This includes propaganda posters. I LOVE me some propaganda posters! One day I hope to have the scratch to pick up some vintage Soviet or WWII propaganda posters. This brings us back to Sun Mu. When he was in North Korea, his artistic training was specifically so he could paint murals and other propaganda pieces for the government and, unsurprisingly, this shows through in his work, some of which you can view at <a href="http://blog.naver.com/cmbbbb">his blog</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyx3JgJvdIs8PH4r8E45BUWf-x9pwAErL5l3M2NnpORJvhkIPxYQcPXkz6_5WARBed7EIlWLfdA6JgP-znuqMUzA8OeYyr3hAlGu9JbgRp46ugfCCLvac7k33WGDy8VDqaVWX/s1600-h/SunMu_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyx3JgJvdIs8PH4r8E45BUWf-x9pwAErL5l3M2NnpORJvhkIPxYQcPXkz6_5WARBed7EIlWLfdA6JgP-znuqMUzA8OeYyr3hAlGu9JbgRp46ugfCCLvac7k33WGDy8VDqaVWX/s400/SunMu_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299356579274997330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />* Why is it that communist and totalitarian regimes almost always have the word Democratic in their official names? This seems to be the same naming logic that gave us the Patriot Act and the Defense of Marriage act.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-32168383513663597782009-01-31T12:25:00.000-06:002009-02-01T13:26:17.969-06:00Random Panels - Wonder Woman #27<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCHyviBf5lrdBDN1mAgglk-jHEOI_qdxTkvc406OSF-3rgl54iTEPlcR0m6PypXm9z7c6zJtEH7hUNu9axZpPIZDmabUR17dHI5Rom3m2PPDDkZcF2uTsJpNXPFNp7mxJGnSh/s1600-h/WW001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXCHyviBf5lrdBDN1mAgglk-jHEOI_qdxTkvc406OSF-3rgl54iTEPlcR0m6PypXm9z7c6zJtEH7hUNu9axZpPIZDmabUR17dHI5Rom3m2PPDDkZcF2uTsJpNXPFNp7mxJGnSh/s400/WW001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297897319455657218" border="0" /></a>Initially I had something else picked out for this edition of Random Panels, however as I was catching up on my comics reading this week I stumbled across this bit of brilliance from <span style="font-style: italic;">Wonder Woman #27</span>. While I am not as big a fan of sound effects as some, I absolutely LOVE it when they are incorporated into the art in interesting or innovative ways and this certainly qualifies.<br /><br />I also thought this would be an excellent opportunity to point out just how much I like Donna Troy's costume:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNAqFJcuHwB8j908IdMJCxz_4WcBanpOLBkiv2p3Il0oEZ6DEP6GQxtbNQdn8PLhV_09eEOgngNgyuAtdw-HfgZfN-FPk9GDFCx4DDqaGOhaG11I6zS_0ecDLoSRO7EwP8W_p/s1600-h/WW002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNAqFJcuHwB8j908IdMJCxz_4WcBanpOLBkiv2p3Il0oEZ6DEP6GQxtbNQdn8PLhV_09eEOgngNgyuAtdw-HfgZfN-FPk9GDFCx4DDqaGOhaG11I6zS_0ecDLoSRO7EwP8W_p/s400/WW002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297901096651640146" border="0" /></a><br />There is something about the stars being incorporated into the fabric that I really like.<br /><br />This installment is brought to you by:<br />Gail Simone, writer<br />Aaron Lopresti, penciler<br />Matt Ryan, inkerJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-12649921031091659622009-01-30T21:48:00.003-06:002009-01-30T23:12:07.243-06:00Animated Videos 2 - Electric BoogalooThanks to Katy C and VH1 I have a couple of updates to my <a href="http://funkywoodjam.blogspot.com/2009/01/animated-videos.html">Animated Videos post</a> from the 19th!<br /><br />First up is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paula_Adbul">Paula Abdul's</a> "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opposites_Attract">Opposites Attract</a>" which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three weeks back in February of 1990 and then went on to win a Grammy. Featuring an animated cat, MC Skat Kat, who was voiced by Bruce DeShazer and Marv Gunn, the song is about how despite their differences Paula and Mr. Kat are perfect for each other:<br /><br /><center><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FbknGnZXHUk&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FbknGnZXHUk&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></center><br /><br />I have to admit that hearing this song brings back some memories as I was in high school at the time. For some reason I STRONGLY associate the first Paula Abdul song I can recall hearing, "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight_Up_(song)">Straight Up</a>," with riding the bus to school in the mornings. Boy isn't that a pleasant memory? And even though the video is not animated, I thought I would go ahead and share it here just because I can and lets face it, if you were a teenage boy at the time odds are you had a thing for Paula:<br /><br /><center><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Iu4NcgQZucE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Iu4NcgQZucE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></center><br /><br />Of course I was more of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samantha_Fox">Samantha Fox</a> boy myself. I mean how could you be in the throes of puberty and NOT find this inspiring:<br /><br /><center><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/X75dwVl_6H4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/X75dwVl_6H4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></center><br /><br />After all we have chains, dodgy dance moves, a lingerie clad female, suit pants that are too short; what's not to like?<br /><br />Okay, back to the subject at hand: animated videos!<br /><br />Katy C also reminded me of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_for_Nothing_(song)">Dire Straits'</a> immortal song "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_for_Nothing_(song)">Money for Nothing</a>." This is the one that I could not believe I forgot about! I do not really think anything else needs to be said about this classic:<br /><br /><center><embed src="http://www.veoh.com/veohplayer.swf?permalinkId=e178381Gmta9Kdw&id=anonymous&player=videodetailsembedded&videoAutoPlay=0" allowFullScreen="true" width="410" height="341" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br/><font size="1">Watch <a href="http://www.veoh.com/videos/e178381Gmta9Kdw">Dire Straits - Money for Nothing</a> in <a href="http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos.html?category=category_music">Music Videos</a> | View More <a href="http://www.veoh.com/">Free Videos Online at Veoh.com</a></font></center><br /><br />This brings us to the video I only saw this past week when I made it in to the gym and was able to workout during the five minutes a day when <a href="http://www.vh1.com/">VH1</a> is playing music videos rather than crapping up the universe with more quasi-reality TV shows. The video for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanye_West">Kanye West</a>'s "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartless_(Kanye_West_song)">Heartless</a>":<br /><br /><center><div><object width="480" height="297"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/k7tBE4BPFxmYQfQkkX&related=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/k7tBE4BPFxmYQfQkkX&related=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="297" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7fav7_kanye-west-heartless-new-video-subt_music">Kanye West - Heartless (New Video) SubtitlesLyrics</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/ShanouMusik13">ShanouMusik13</a></i></div></center><br /><br />The rotoscoped character animation calls to mind <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Bakshi">Ralph Bakshi</a>'s work, in particular <i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082009/">American Pop</a></i>:<br /><br /><center><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VW3Kkq-LXsI&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VW3Kkq-LXsI&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></center><br /><br />Of course whenever I think of <a href="http://www.ralphbakshi.com/">Ralph Bakshi</a> I think of his 1978 adaptation of the first half of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings_(1978_film)">The Lord of the Rings</a>. One of the earliest memories I have is of my dad taking me to see that movie when we lived in Lincoln, Nebraska.<br /><br />Oh well, I hope you enjoyed this rather meandering trip through some music videos. Let me know if you think of any other animated videos which are worth sharing.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14391545.post-65876706843422275742009-01-29T22:03:00.003-06:002009-01-29T23:10:37.737-06:00Rachel Maddow and PowerLast night I caught this bit on the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC last night:<br /><br /><center><div><iframe height="339" width="425" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/28902275#28902275" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><style type="text/css">.msnbcLinks {font-size:11px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #999; margin-top: 5px; background: transparent; text-align: center; width: 425px;} .msnbcLinks a {text-decoration:none !important; border-bottom: 1px dotted #999 !important; font-weight:normal !important; height: 13px;} .msnbcLinks a:link, .msnbcLinks a:visited {color: #5799db !important;} .msnbcLinks a:hover, .msnbcLinks a:active {color:#CC0000 !important;} </style><p class="msnbcLinks">Visit msnbc.com for <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/">Breaking News</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507">World News</a>, and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072">News about the Economy</a></p></div></center><br /><br />While she makes the segment a little more about the stimulus package, which I think is very important, however I found her discussion about the security issue interesting. We HAVE been told that we need to worry about terrorist strikes against our infrastructure and yet there is no mass panic because, even though some people are going to be without electricity for a few weeks, this was expected. It reminded me of the Joker's speech from <i>The Dark Knight</i> where he talks about plans and how when things go to plan, no matter how grotesque the plan is, people don't panic. I think the example of weather-related utility failures is an even more interesting example than the ones offered up by the Joker in light of how we have been told we need to fear utility outages as a result of terrorist action.Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01809482520369260824noreply@blogger.com0