12-22-12

     So I feel I must post something about the feared end of the 13th Baktun, the date when the world as we know it, ceases to be...

     It was yesterday, and even tho I watched attentively, the seas were not overrun with fanged koalas on pontoon boats, the land was not boiling up with mole people from the center of the earth, and the skies were not filled end to end with flaming dolphins, each ridden by a Mayan with a stinger missile launcher.

     In short, just another day. Life goes on, la-la how the life goes on.


     On an unrelated note, yesterday was my wedding anniversary. My last, as we will be filing for divorce next month. There is a long story that goes with it, but I don't really feel like telling it just now. May the 14th Baktun bring everyone what they want, may peace guide the pla-anets and love steer the stars

Weird Place for Bacon

Weird Place for Bacon:

High efficiency washing machines.  

     This has been a weird, weird week.  Starting with Shawn deciding he was going to learn to play poker.  Yeah, that one was a real weird one for me.  Going to the laundry-mat to find bacon in the high-efficiency washing machine is another event.  You know how I knew it was super weird?  The guy who grew up in that family owned laundry-mat had never seen it before!  That's how I knew it was weird.  And then there's the story P.B. has got coming up here.  Let's just say the title of Ewwwwww . . . . is well earned!

     Are there any weird places you have found bacon?

Ninja Geese

There are 3 types of Greater Canada Geese.  These images are not about the hungrier, more predatory Velocigeese.  These images are a prime example of the stunning cleverness and adaptability of the Ninja Geese.

<--Note the deliberate ruse of warmth in the eyes?  It's all in the name of getting you to be too awed by the Ninja Goose's cuteness to not notice the weapon cleverly disguised as an oar.

















Note: The use of children and purpose in a non-winter scene?  All the easier to blend in! Ninja Geese know you won't recognize their coats are not as snowy white as a swans, or as ebony as the feathers on a black swan.  They know our primitive brains will notice the white, and the black and assume these are a type of cute, harmless hybrid of the white and black swan.        ---->





(Images are from Dreamland Amusement Park by Big Fish.)

Fishing Under Ice

Showed this to P.B. earlier.  Loved the tone and theme!

Camouflage- You Are Doing It Right

     My sister was in from out of town today-very much a surprise, but her coming as goings are as mysterious as any Gray Wizard. She is subtle but fortunately not quick to anger.

      We had a good visit, a fun talk about literature, current affairs, and current TV. However...when she had to go, to visit her Grandchild, her jacket was mysteriously missing. She looked around (and trust me, this was not the day to be without a jacket) and finally we discovered that her jacket was hidden under Mine...

 

 

     I look forward to her reading this...not sure if it qualifies as irony or is merely fitting, but I love it.

League Assignment: Jumping the Sharkticon

  

     In September 1984, Transformers, More Than Meets the Eye Premiered on TV in the afternoon, and I was hooked. I didn't know that it would lead to a lifelong love, but it was sure cool! Robots- Alien Robots- who would change into inconspicuous objects (generally) to avoid detection by human and by their enemies. We got two seasons of this, with good, so-so, and maybe a few really bad episodes. One thing we knew through thick and thin, though was that the battle would go on, and we would be there to watch it!

     Then, the news got even better! There was going to be a transformers animated movie!

     yeah...

     Introducing: Transformers the animated wanton slaughter of all of your toys

The Death of Brawn...Why, Primus, Why???

     I'm not even talking about the death of Optimus Prime here- he died a hero, true to his principles. He got a good, onscreen death. But the 5 minute slaughter of all the characters we got to know and love over two seasons, as the Decepticons took over the Autobot shuttle...

     Let's just say that we really didn't need the scene to establish the Decepticons as cruel and merciless.




these are Sharkticons; now jump!

     I understand now, and I think I understood then, that the movie was intended to establish new characters, and to sell the new toys Hasbro was releasing. We were intended to bond with Kup, Rodimus, Ultra Magnus, the way we did the original cast. And yes, I did come to care about these characters, but the third season was always stained for me. A piece of my innocence was taken away. I felt like the characters were...second string? Even Rodimus felt like he was just not as good as Optimus, and would never be the leader Optimus was.

     I'm not saying season 3 didn't have some episodes I really liked..."Only Human" is still a favorite, but the fan reaction that led Hasbro to resurrect Optimus in the last episodes of season 3 never really went away, and the show never really came back. we got a little chunk of season 4, and then silence (in the US) until BEAST WARS.

      For me, the shine was off that armored exoskeleton until the 2007 movie came out. I guess you could say it re-ignited my Spark. As loud and needless as some of the live action movie was, it did remind me what I liked about the original series...and Optimus Prime was there for me all over again.

The Man Who Stares at Toys pinpointed many jump the shark moments
as did ShezCrafti, and hers are all about inappropriate aliens
Crooked Ninja Turtle Gang places the blame on Hollywood
and the Dark Horde becomes the Duke Horde this week

The Late October/November Holiday Season

October 31st: Halloween
November 1-5th: Feast of the Squirrels

Media Hoard Monthly Wrap Up

     It's the end of another month here at the media hoard, and our top five posts last month were

1. League Assignment:Hallowe'en Costume Ideas
2. State of the Hoard Address
3. League Assignment: A Visit to the Kent's Guest Room
4. 11 months in the making...
5. Historic 100th post

happy november to you all, and on toward Christmas!

This Just In(okay, this just opened)

     I bought this sunday, and -somehow- managed to avoid opening him until it was appropriate

Zombie Cliffjumper(Terrorcon Cliffjumper)(which is cybertronian for Frickin' Zombie, man!)

I was saddened to see cliffjumper go in the first episodes of TF:Prime, but his sacrifice gave us zombie transformers. Plus, I expect Dwayne Johnson was a not inexpensive voice talent (can you smell what The Rock is getting paid?). Farewell, Cliff, until all are one, or someone repowers your Spark

Update: better pictures later

Winged Migration

     Not the movie about geese and other birds- this is the Burrows remake...

     Tango has grown out a couple of primary flight feathers on each wing, and he's been essaying a flight here and there. but it takes something truly threatening(Sam) or terrifying(Still Sam) to make him really take off. Sam tends to wave her fingers at him and make him play the "Flee Mommy" Game.

     Anyway... the upshot of this is Tango flew from his cage over to Aldo's. This is a distance of 4 feet, 5 inches, and according to my cursory search of Google, appears to be a new world record for below-ground conure flight.

League Assignment: Halloween Traditions in the Burrow

     Halloween Traditions, we have a few. We don't really costume, not any more, but I do like to hit the costume stores and aisles and see the trends. There is lots and lots of Spiderman and Avengers this year, a long with some odd-ball ones I would not expect...Scooby Doo? To me, the costumes reflect what is on the minds of the general public, and Scooby seems a little too "classic" right now.

     The second tradition is to check out the decorations, and we have a couple of folks in the area who not only pull out all the stops but pump the pedals furiously while doing so, and hit every key. There is a house a couple of miles away where his entire yard is an animated dance routine of multiple dummies, zombies, pirates, Freddy Krueger, and you-name-it monsters. One of my friends who reads this blog comes in a close gruesome second, and I need to see both displays before the 31st

     The Third thing is seasonal movies. Sam and I love to watch the scary ones, even the ones that aren't intended to be. These are Ghost and Monster movies, not Serial Killer ones. Sam likes those for Valentines day...don't ask. This year has been a quiet one for us, in terms of all of these, too much stress going on, too little money coming in, but I have missed these, and I hope we pick up again next year. We did manage to watch and podcast TrollHunter, The Perfect Host, and Death of a Ghosthunter, and that last one will be up within 24 hours

Monster Cafe is starting a new tradition

Branded in the 80's makes Halloween last all month long

Geek Till it Hurts takes his movie marathon more seriously than I take mine

Same with That Figures- they both SHAME ME. he even Sequeled his post!

Dead Man Dan calls up memories of my Childhood

Rediscover the 80's reminds us that no mere mortal can resist...the evil of the THRILLER...

Whatever I think of is all about Candy Corn and Karaoke

The Man Who Stares at Toys also Stares at Halloween decorations

Talk Star Wars to Me has some great real world tips on DIY costumes

AEIOU and Sometimes Why has a really big black cat in his yard...

Henchgirl talks about movie marathons and old family traditions

Are you there god it's me Generation X has a day of the dead parade

Team Hellions likes Complementary Costumes with his lady

and Cool and Collected loves the Cox Farms Fall Festival

Bad Romance: Woman's Suffrage

Just so we're clear here: It has to be a really good parody for me to like.  This one just squeaks through by my standards.  So, that's saying a lot!

League Extra Credit...? In the Sunny Streets of Ankh-Morpork

     You ever Publish, and feel like it just fell Flat? Like what you just wrote lacked the punch you started with? To combat that feeling, I delayed my trip home long enough to stop in Colorful Ankh-Morpork!

     I thought I was going to have to convert my currency to postage stamps, but as it turns out they have newly minted paper money now! I headed down to the Street of Cunning Artificers to pick up some dwarven crafts, but stopped to pick up a meal from a sausage-in-a-bun vendor. The next thing I knew, I was green, shaking and being woken from a horrible nightmare by a troll constable(which would be considered a horrible nightmare by some as well)

     I checked my available money, found that it had wandered away, which didn't concern the constable nearly as much as the fact that I didn't receive a receipt for the theft, he ushered me back to the station house at Pseudopolis Yard, where I was questioned by The Captain (a magnificent looking fellow) who seemed amused that the amount of money I reported missing stayed the same even under repeated questioning. I was ushered to the watch commander, where I repeated my story. He muttered something about "Non credas homini honesto" and assured me that the full apathy of the watch would be focused on retrieving my $20. He offered me a Cigar, which I declined. He then loaned me $50 to send me on my way, and advised me that "a wise Man would give Mr. Dibblers cart a miss next time."

     I'm still not sure why I attracted the attention of the Patrician. All I know is that I was informed that I had an appointment to see him, and was assured, yes, I did in fact have such an appointment. He informed me that my money was actually taken by a beggar named Foul Ole Ron, and if I were  wise man, I would not actually want it back, as it would by now be far more fragrant than I left it. I started to protest and he said "Bugrit, Bugrit, Mr. Badger. Bugrit, and Possibly Millenium Hand and Shrimp as well" I was then told not to hesitate to leave, which I took as a hint...

     I never did make the Street of Cunning Artificers. I'll have to hit there when I stop by to pay Mr. Vimes back his $50

Other League members took vacations too

Yelinna of Travelling Pics was there at the same time
JoeADay visited Cobras Silent Castle
3Bs visited Springfield
Movie Hodge Podge visited Q's lab for some Swag
Dead Man Dan(of Flying Monkeys) was a long distance call away from me in Gotham(and I never even knew!)
and we can only hope Cool and Collected will make it back from his trip to see some dinosaurs to do a final post for this week!

League Assignment: A Visit to the Kent's Guest Room

     I thought long and hard about this. I've wanted to visit a lot of fictional places. some of them I have even had a hand in creating (during my years of Role-play gaming). so where to visit? Almost anywhere you go in any pop culture universe has it's own inherent hazards. From the New York of Marvel, where anywhere you park your car it is guaranteed to be used as a weapon/casualty in a super-powered conflict, to the town of Pleasantville, where the very blandness is itself a threat. As threats go, I know to avoid any old cars or large dogs in Maine,

     There are an incredible number of Distinct Destinations, such as a trip to Hogwarts, a far-off locale like Eternia for a tour by Wind-Raider, A full Horror Movie Pilgrimage with ghostbusters gear on hand, or a trip across multiple famous planets at FTL speed . If I had a chance to visit my younger self, I would give myself some darn good advice to ignore. If I had the opportunity to "return" to the future...well, I'm thinking lottery numbers might be a good thing to pick up. All you would need would be a good travel agent with a useful room to get you there.

     I spent ten years watching Smallville (don't judge) and I tend to revisit there a lot (ditto). I like the character growth from awkward youth to man of steel that Clark exhibits, and all of the wrong turns along the way.

     My visit to Smallville began when I was run off the road in the middle of the night by some lunatic. I bumped my head pretty good, but when the farmer and his son helped pull me out of the car, I'm pretty sure the kid pushed the car back onto the road himself. No way he lifted it...uh uh. What the hell do they feed these farm kids, anyway? Anyway, they introduce themselves as Jonathan and Clark Kent. my car is leaking oil, and it's raining, so they offer to help me get it towed and a place to stay until I find out what it will take ot fix it. The Kents put me up in their guest room. In the morning Martha Makes pancakes

     In the Morning, Johnathan asks me where I was going, I tell him "Metropolis, I guess." and at his questioning look, I end up spilling the whole story, about the mess my life has become. We both lean our arms on the split rail fence, and he starts talking. For a man who looks like he should have a bright orange Dodge charger hidden somewhere on the farm, this guy can knock an inspirational speech out of the park. I feel a lot better after talking to him...until I hear about my civic. The oil pan is dinged, and I'm going to be here a few days. Amazingly, this family takes me in. It also turns out they know the car that ran me off the road (small towns, eh?) and "it's not like him to drive off from an accident". They take me over to speak to the driver of the car.

     Not sure what's going on, but Clark suddenly looks like he has the flu as we approach the drivers house. He's sweating, shaky, and I suddenly don't want him breathing on me. Jonathan tells him to go back to the car and he starts looking better. The Driver of the car that hit me doesn't answer his door, and the Kents call the sheriff out to take a look. Sheriff Adams is a no-nonsense kind of person, and finds that the driver of the car is dead when she investigates. She does make an odd comment about the Kents always being around when this type of thing happens.
    
     I was mad about my car, but now I feel bad, guy was probably in incredible pain when he ran me off the road. They don't have any idea why he died. Probably did not help that he had a house full of green rocks though...hoarder? Who knows? I'm tempted to pick up a rock, but...crime scene.

          We drive back to the Kents farm, and Clark offers to take a look at my car. He comes out and says he was able to fix the oil pan, and it wasn't as bad as we thought. My little civic is ready to go, in fact it's running a lot better than it was. Clark is one heck of a mechanic, plus he managed to get his farm chores done in record time... I do feel like I got some perspective on this trip, and I am ready to turn around and get my life back on track. So I stay one more night, for a pancake breakfast in the morning. Something about being around this family just seemed to straighten out my thinking ...wonder if I can get them to adopt me?

     It's odd to think that it's so nice here in Smallville when that tragedy happened to the Winchester family in Lawrence, KS, not so very far away!
    

3Bs visited Springfield
Movie Hodge Podge visited Q's lab for some Swag
Dead Man Dan(of Flying Monkeys) was a long distance call away from me in Gotham(and I never even knew!)
and we can only hope Cool and Collected will make it back from his trip to see some dinosaurs to do a final post for this week!

Witness to Lincoln Assassination on Game Show

This is a youtube find.  This man's last public appearance was on a game show about secrets.  In some ways it's sad to watch.  In other ways it's simply amazing to consider.

State of the Hoard Address

   This week’s assignment from the League: State of the Site

     The first post of my blog went up on 7/19 of this year. So far, I am pretty pleased with hits, and surprised at what I have found to tralk about- the blog was actually just supposed to be a site for ther podcast but it's kind of mutated...

    I discuss:

• Movies
• Toys
• My birds
• Books
• Walmart Oddities
• Anything else that comes to mind

     What I would like to see for the coming year is more interest in the Podcasts. I believe we as bloggers can distribute a podcast without bowing to the tyranny of ITunes. I believe we can create a world where we can get our media out there without sticking buggy software on our systems. I believe in the internet of tomorrow, where anyone can become a star just by being noticed, just like in the hollywood of legend.

     I'm happy for the readers I have, and hope I can get my message and my sense of fun out there to more in the coming months

    I'm Primordial Badger, and I approve of this blog

    " This is what Mr. Smith wants, this is what I want. I am Mr Smith" - Miles Massey in Intolerable Cruelty

Some of my league fellows had this to say:

Rediscover the 80's Celebrates a first Birthday! and remembers how it all began
Goodwill Hunting for Geeks talks about his young site and gives us his Hallowe'en item of the day
Monster Cafe offers a free beer to any Blogger Brave enough to face him in his Lair
Jathniel.com makes his very first League post!
Crooked Ninja Turtle Gang Addresses his own young Site with a side of his hopes and dreams
Memories of Toymorrow  credits Cool and Collected Plus many others with giving him the push into blogging
It Started on Facebook and took off for Random Nerdness
The Man Who Stares At Toys blogs his collection and reviews it for our Illumination
JoMi shows you the toys, but leaves the judgements on them to you
3Bs Toy Hive Documents his Collection and Collecting both!
Oh The Places You'll Go! gives us in depth examinations of street art and public radio
That Figures muses upon Stumble-In traffic and the mystery of what makes posts popular
and
Of Flying Monkeys and Ewoks Oh My! talks about his start and his changes for the future

Shipping Confirmation

I got the email today

League Assignment:Hallowe'en Costume Ideas

  This week’s assignment for the League: Halloween Costume Ideas


     I spent some time thinking about this(and getting it in just under the wire) and I was sad to realize that I don't really remember any of my costumes from Childhood. My mom has pictures, but none of the costumes I wore for Hallowe'en really stand out as solid memories. I have a vague memory of hearing my breath through a plastic mask. Feeling hot and uncomfortable. I remember my Nephews, and the year we made a robot costume for one of them (dryer vent tubing and a cardboard box...and silver paint)

     That's not to say I don't costume. I love to costume, and try to find any number of excuses to do so. Renaissance Faires, conventions...wanting to feel a little special...you get the picture. I do remember one year I went out to a Hallowe'en party as an adult during a year when i wasn't seeing anyone. I took my longbow, my leather back-quiver, my moccasin boots, my laced up shirt, and my thick wool cloak. now, this party was indoors, and I recall this particular October as being possibly too warm for that cloak. That and there was a ton of drinking (not much of a drinker, never have been) and a pretty girl in a similar costume gave me a fake number...

     What would I do now for a costume? I still have some ren-faire gear that fits me, even at my current girth, but I like the idea I came up with last year, that I didn't use. dress in my normal clothes, and get a piece of cardboard. Write on the cardboard: "OCCUPY ___________'S Party"

Here are some other folks who may remember their Childhood costumes better:

Monster Cafe
Whatever I think Of!
The Man Who Stares at Toys
Q the Adult
Dead Man Dan's Creepy Crypt of Terror (Of Flying Monkeys and Ewoks Oh My!)
AEIOU and Sometimes Why
Crooked Ninja Turtle Gang
Infinite Hollywood( a full Doctor Doom Costume!)
Good Will hunting 4 Geeks
Cool and Collected
Travelling Pics
Team Hellions
Adventures of a Geeky Vixen
3B's Toy Hive

Totally had to share this

Agent Phil Coulson in: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thors Hammer

this comment just killed me too

Another Month Gone by the Wayside

     So it's another month past here at the Burrow, home of the Hoard. I'm starting to get the feel of blogging and trying to get clear on the fact that I don't have to be on performance mode every time. I'm happy with stats, I would like the podcasts to get a few more downloads but they will catch on. I know they will. I have joined the League of Extraordinary Bloggers, and I am really liking the Challenge.


     The months top posts are:

1. League Assignment : Star of the show!
2. B-9...Hit...B-10...I sank I-Tunes
3. This week’s assignment from the League: How to destroy the Death Star
4. 11 months in the making...
5. League Assignment: Star of the Show! (Sams version)

Look forward to seeing you all in October and beyond

Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

One of the movies that I've had on my MUST WATCH! list is The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill.  I have wanted to see this movie from the very first moment I watched the trailer for it.  I knew I was going to love watching this movie!

I am 11 minutes and 48 seconds into this movie. I hate it.

 

 

Keep in mind I've read up on the parrots.  I've read about the infighting between the residents of Telegraph Hill.  And I've read Mark Bittner's in depth response to the fighting and blame laying and rebuttles and on.  For a while I really ghosted this guy's website just to get an idea of the situation these birds were in.  (Note: half of his website seems to be down right now.  The In Depth details and discussions are not online.)  The few times I've run across his book I've set everything aside to read what I could.  I've even seen other documentaries made by Judy Irving. 

 

So finally getting a chance to see the movie was supposed to be like playing with fine glitter after dealing with grit.  Only. . . it's the other way around.  Seriously just over 10 minutes into this film and it is not cool. 

 

I'm going to ask P.B. to take a look at it.  Maybe I'm missing something here. 

Violent! Hunted by Morgan Freeman

*** Violent ***
This is a gamecast of a group of friends playing a first person shooter and having fun.  It's a bloody video game.  But the commentary and the voice impersonations are pretty spot on! 

 

Seeing Red

     Just felt like putting up some mostly red Decoed 'Bots

• Ironhide
• Swerve
• Cliffjumper
• Hubcap
• Windcharger

 

I happen to think Cliffjumper looks good with Ironhides big Sniper rifle

Avengers in the House

     We Purchased Marvels the Avengers at Walmart yesterday. We are scheduled to Podcast and watch it this Sunday, and Sam doesn't think I can hold out. To that end, I have decided to Chronicle my symptoms.

one of these white cars may actually be mine...



 

     I will be updating this daily until the Packaging gets torn open...

• Day 1: it's on the shelf- I can see it there, when I look back. It;s right next to Thor, with a little gap in the shelf where Captain America, as yet unwatched, has been removed. It's a little like a lost tooth- it doesn't hurt, but you know there is a gap where it's missing from. Or maybe more like Something stuck between two teeth, and you haven't gone for the floss yet. You know it's there, it's a little uncomfortable, but it's not driving you crazy...yet.

Update 1:

• Day 2: I know the movie is there- I feel it constantly, and see Loki around the edges of my Vision telling me it's OK to watch some of the movie...everything will be OK...I 'm going to stay strong, and hold out. Still must watch Captain America...

Update 2:

• Day 3: Still maintaining...my hnads are shaking, I may have a slight fever. I rose this morning from an unquiet sleep filled with Stark Tech and thunder gods to the knowledge that it's still another day off...

Update 3:

• So, with Captain America watched I'm all ready for The Avengers...uh oh. That's actually tomorrow. I have nothing left to insulate me from it. I can't recall the taste of food... nor the sound of water... nor the touch of grass. I'm... naked in the dark, with nothing, no veil... between me... and the wheel of fire! I can see the disc... with my waking eyes! Ok, so not that bad, but it's there, I want it...and opening it now, the day before would be just...awkward. Podcast for it will be out soon.

This week’s assignment from the League: West Wing Beginnings- the Young Bartlet Years

In the spirit of Young Indiana Jones, Young Frankenstein, or Young Einstein, come up with a “Young ___” prequel or series.

 

 

     WWB(from the CW network) covers the early years of Jed Bartlets life, and his long Friendhsip with Leo McGarry- each episode features an opening Narration by Martin Sheen, as well as a closing Narration, with the life lesson learned

 

 

     The Show Stars Emilio Estevez(obvious) as young Jed Bartlet

 

 

     Kristin Kreuk, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Chris Zylka star as the young Abby Barrington, Dolores Landingham and Leo McGarry respectively (since they are all available on the CW). The Plan for the show is to run 10 seasons, culminating in Bartlet taking the oath of office, similar to the overall story arc of Smallville. The vicious battles in the New Hampshire state house, and the back room deals of the governors office promise for exciting T.V. There are plans to allude to Bartlets MS, and story arcs covering Leos battles with alcohol and pills. Possible cameos by younger versions of CJ Cregg, Toby Ziegler, Josh Lyman and Sam Seaborn, as well as more esoteric characters from the original series

 

 

Here are some offerings by my Esteemed Colleagues

 

Rediscover the 80's tells us of the sons of Bo and Luke Duke

GOOD WILL HUNTING 4 GEEKS gives us Monsters vs. Aliens- the early years!

Q The Adult reports his take on Young Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes

Of Flying Monkeys and Ewoks Oh My! and the tales of Young Lara Croft!

ShezCrafti covers Toddler Mutant Ninja Turtles!

 and Cool and Collected brings us the Young Clark W. Griswold Chronicles

 

 

 

 

 

Transformers Prime

"We must never lose sight of the fact that upon this Earth, we are titans...and such power must be used wisely" Optimus Prime on Transformers Prime-Legacy  

  I love the story, not 100% in love with the animation models, but I like them. And I love the engineering on the figures, and am looking forward to the new releases. I promised I would put these up for Pax and others, just took me a while to actually take the pics

now, to just transform them all back...

In Training

     Like any Fine Athlete with a big event coming up, I am training. I'm training for The Avengers. So in my training, I am re-watching the movies leading up to The Avengers. It's demented and sad, yes, and it is the way I roll. I finished Iron Man this morning before work. I expect to have Captain America finished on monday. I will be updating this post with thoughts from each movie as I go along.

• Iron Man- I think my favorite scene in the movie is the scene with Pepper and Stane in the office, where she is copying the drive. Bridges is so casually sinister, so cat and mouse, that he just blows me away. Second favorite is the scene in Gulmira where Iron Man makes his debut. there is not much to it, in terms of action, but it's a feel good scene- he saves the kids father

updates to come as I watch

Update 1:

• The Incredible Hulk- I had never seen this one before, largely because of the first Hulk movie, where it seemed the writer and director had a name (Hulk) and a color (Green) but no actual knowledge of the character or origin-but I digress. this one was fun. I would own this one if I found it at the right price, the relationship between Betty Ross and Bruce Banner was almost mother/child in some scenes, which was interesting. A lot of sly nods to the TV show back in the late 70's. Norton makes a  good Banner, trying hard not to lose it and turn green and nasty.

Update 2:

• Iron Man 2 - I think watching it this time, I was most pleased by the performances of some of the Supporting Cast- Mickey Rourke as Ivan Vanko- man, he can commit to a role, and he makes a great baddie. I love the interplay between Tony Stark and the three S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, Nick Fury, Phil Coulson, and Natasha Romanoff , who are completely unimpressed by him, and in fact treat him as something of a pain in the butt. Best line: If you try to escape, or play any sort of games with me, I will taze you and watch "Supernanny" while you drool into the carpet.(Phil Coulson). I also think I like the Don Cheadle Rhodey more than Terrence Howards portrayal, but that could just be the way the character was written for the second movie.

Update 3:

• Thor - I love Thor, think the casting is great- Anthony Hopkins makes a perfect Odin, Tom Hiddleston an excellent Loki. The design of Asgard is beautiful to look upon, and otherwordly without being too out there. As a comic fan versed in Thors story, I am able to see the subtle nods to his comic history (Donald Blake M.D.) and where it all fits together. My only Fear for this movie is that the script doesn't cover enough for a non-fan to really get a grounding in what's going on, yet at the same time, the conflict between Thor and Loki is Basic, easy for anyone to understand who ever envied a brother. There is a lot played out for laughs, and Coulson is back(above), and always great on the screen

Update 4: Final Update

• Captain America-The First Avenger- I can't heap high enough praise on this movie. As a lifelong Captain America fan, I feel that they did the story just right. They took what could have been campy or corny or just plain bad and made it noble and proud without hammering it into you. I have not talked a lot about the leads in these movies this go-round, focusing instead on the supporting cast, but Chris Evans...just nails it. He takes the character seriously, even at times where the character can't take himself seriously(seeing his performance selling war bonds as resembling that of a trained monkey) He plays the character as smart, dedicated, observant and brave, even before the application of the super-soldier serum. Backup performances by Stanley Tucci and Tommy Lee Jones are perfect, and Hugo Weaving makes a perfect Red Skull. Above all of these fine performances, though, the Director captures the atmosphere superbly, and splendidly ties the past into the present, making this movie the one that ties all of the others together. Note the Symbol of the Strategic Scientific Reserve, versus the S.H.I.E.L.D. emblem.

We also get to see Howard Stark, father of Tony Stark, when he was not the cold, distant man Tony remembers but was a lot more like Tony himself. We get to wonder what took the fun out of him

Jingle Ball Apocalypse

     I'm not sure what happened. I'm not sure what they did to deserve it. But every Jingle ball has been thrown out of Tangos cage, and are on the floor

 Every jingle ball.

 we have two under the cage, and one under the bed

     So I did some looking to try to find out what they might have done, and I have to conclude that the banishment was probably arbitrary. There is no reliable statistic about jingle ball related crimes

 

Point of fact, I'm not sure why half those links came up in response...always fun and informative to confuse the internet, isn't it?

Bad Combination of Tastes

     I have, on my desk, a snack container. I put things in it, Sam puts things in it. right now, it contains Mint Oreos, and roasted and salted peas- each in their own container, but the mint is Strong.

     So I have mint flavored roasted and salted peas... not a good combination

Been Super Lazy

     I have been reading Blog posts, not writing them. I have found many Wonderful writers through the League Of Extraordinary Bloggers, and I have just been enjoying their wit and wisdom.

     So here are some of my Favorites(in no particular order)

1. 3B's Toy Hive
2. Action Figure Blues
3. Green Plastic Squirt Gun
4. The Man Who Stares At Toys
5. ShezCrafti
6. UnderScoopFire

I'll be back to writing soon, I have pictures to take and edit- in the meantime, enjoy what I have been enjoying

This week’s assignment from the League: How to destroy the Death Star

The League of Extraordinary Bloggers

    
We all have our own skills and talents, and I thought that this week we could learn a thing or two from one another. This week’s League challenge…
—
Write a step-by-step guide on how to do something. This could be a real world project or a fantastical one, so do with it as you will.

1. Open a Starbucks- everyone loves Starbucks. pretty soon all of the compartments and corridors around that Starbucks will be filled with restaurants and shops. I envision a Ross in there where you can buy discount and oddly fitting stormtrooper armor and imperial uniforms...
2. This Starbucks is too crowded- if there is only one Starbucks, pretty soon it will be so crowded that no one wants to go there- solution: open 12 more Starbucks, and so on...until the Death Star has become the Death Mar , a series of Strip Malls with the power to destroy an entire economy- mainly it's own. Stormtroopers will be moonlighting to try to pay their credit card bills, and soon...
3. Stores start closing- vast sections of the Death Mar will be deserted and unmaintained. Huge American Grafitti'd sections where not even Droids will willingly go will be taken over by Bothan hover-skateboarders and used as Skate parks. Once prosperous stores will close and move to Alderaan, leaving the space to go to low- rent thrift stores and Family Credit
4. When the last Starbucks Closes, you will be able to drop a credit coin in the former north control room of the Death Mar, and anyone in the south command sector will be able to hear which side it landed on
5. After Galactic Renewal, the Death Mar becomes all low rent housing for single unwed Gungan mothers. I particularly like the fountains they install around the main reactor shaft-very artistic
6. And then someone gets the brilliant idea to open a Starbucks for the Gungan Mothers...

total time involved: approximately 6 standard galactic months, and not a single Proton Torpedo impacted on the surface. By the way, can I interest anyone in a used X-Wing? only piloted by a little old lady on her way to Jedi Temple.

I look forward to seeing what Green Plastic Squirt Gun, The Sexy Geek's House of Swag, Cool and Collected, and 3B's Toy Hive come up with, as well as everybody else!

Entree Versus Dessert

     In the movie "Music and Lyrics" ( Romantic Comedy, possible Chick Flick, and I don't care) the two leads compare songs to food- that pop songs are like dessert, fun but not really meaning anything. The Song he Writes at the end, to win her back, she describes as "dinner"

     I feel like that about my blog posts- some of them are dessert, some nothing but a candy bar, and some are probably a handful of tic-tacs. Some of them are a full entree, and are there to evoke deep thoughts, and possibly to inspire you to do something creative too. They are not always going to be funny, but you'll know when I dirty a few pans putting one together

     Interesting fun slightly related fact- Sam can cook an entire meal and use one pan and like a pair of chopsticks. I can boil water and dirty every dish in the house. She is an endless mystery to me, and I fear her powers. It's even worse now that she got those two rings, the green one and the one with elvish writing on it...


     Dirtied: approximately one sauce pan, a cheese grater, and that thing Sam calls a "zester"

Angel Movies

     Been watching Angel movies...Michael, The Prophecy(1, 2, 3, the ones with Walken as Gabriel). Both are fascinating takes on these Mythical beings.

     Gabriel in Mythology does the kindness of God, but in the Prophecy, Christopher Walken's Gabriel is more of a celestial Terminator- nigh unstoppable, except apparently by modern technology. He is forced to seek out humans at the point of death and "stop" them -delaying their death for as long as he wants- to use as servants to do mundane tasks such as driving him or using a computer. At times Gabriel is Chilling, at times Tragic, at times Darkly Funny("it's not personal- it's business") but whenever he is on the screen, he dominates it. He compels us to watch him, and his fall, and finally his rise in the third movie.

     Michael is a comedy, more than that, it's a Nora Ephron comedy. The Tagline is "he's an angel, not a saint". We first See Michael as an obese, chain-smoking dirty man in boxers, living in a roadside motel with an older lady. Oh, let me add - With Wings - the prosthetics on this were pretty decent for the genre and time the movie was made. Michael seems like a hedonist- a "Grass Roller"- hiding out on earth because he likes the atmosphere, but he has a subtle purpose in being there, which he carries out by forcing the reporters who have come to see him to go on a lengthy road trip. Travolta's Michael has a sly wisdom about him, and is not above a head trip along with the road trip

     There are a lot of movies about Angels-T.V. too- From It's a Wonderful Life and the Bishops Wife to the contemporary, such as Legion and Supernatural, our take on angels runs the Gamut from Saccharine Sweet to Sinister. We don't really know what to do with Angels, I guess, but they spur our imagination and our dreams. Whether we have them showing us our life's work and putting it in perpective, or winning a baseball game, or stalking us mercilessly, blood in their eyes, they do catch our attention

Evil Genius

    If I ever find that I need to become a Supervillain or a Mad Scientist, I believe the name I would chose is Dr. Conuresleeve. Tango helped me come up with this name, and I'll bet you can imagine how.

   I just experienced him climbing up my t-shirt sleeve, across my right shoulder-blade (making me, for that interval, more hunchbacked assistant than mad scientist) and then up through the neckhole of the t-shirt.

     I tried to get pictures but he moves around more than a pack of spider monkeys on Espresso. He has this whole Migratory cycle that takes place in just a few minutes of time. Apparently he thinks birds who move seasonally are slackers.


However, this crude diagram should give some idea

 

now I just need a Rube Golbergian plot for World Domination and maybe an Archnemesis

 

on a different but related note

drip...drip...drip.........Silence

     An update to our trials and travails with a leak in the apartment. the landlord got a contractor down here, once we had given him a good idea of where to look for the water source, and he located and eliminated the leak upstairs (or so it would seem at this juncture- cautiously optimistic).

     currently he is in the process of removing no-longer-drywall so he can patch up the walls and we can actually have a door that closes in there again!!!

     Yay, Landlord and Contractor!

     and there shall be great rejoicing

Communique

     "Look, there are certain rules I have to abide by. I'm not authorized to communicate with you except... to say I can't communicate with you... " - Agent Simmons, Transformers

     Sam has a big post she is working on, so I am posting this (paradoxically it seems) to let you know that she has asked me not to post today

League Assignment: Star of the Show!

Do you have what it takes to be a Shakespearean prison actor?

Television executives have determined that you lead an amazing life and have pegged you as the next big reality TV star. What’s the name and the premise of your show? 

League of Extra Ordinary Bloggers

Prison Masters takes you into the thrilling and illicit world of the Ants of Words Shakespeare Troupe.  Ants of Words travels from penitentiary to penitentiary performing various Shakespearean works.  These actors put on shows to 'Bring Theater Arts to the Caged Masses'. They work with little to no money, no sets other than a stage, and no other expectations than to put on a good show.  Or so they say.  The real purpose of Ants of Words is far more sinister than anyone could guess.

Prison Masters debuts with reading tutor Peggy Mather's* first day as a volunteer drama coach.  She's instructed through security procedures and walked to the drama room by the overseeing warden himself.  Though Peggy is advised to 'never let yourself get caught alone with these guys' it's advice she very quickly forgets.  

Peggy first meets Joseph**, an inmate in for life.  He's a reformed gangster turned Christian.  He sneaks into the drama room, practices a few lines from the St. Crispin's Day speech, and charms her.  When he asks Peggy to return a hand-sized pink covered bible to his mamma, how can she refuse?  Later in the episode Joseph's mamma gives her a beta fish (complete with tank) to take back to her son.  (Several episodes later we learn the beta fish was for fish fighting - a source of gambling in the prison.  Oh, and there was money hidden in the air filter.)  It's up to Peggy to figure out how to get the 'gift' in to Joseph.

Each episode is 22 minutes before commercial inclusion.  Although this is filmed on location the opportunity for sponsorship is endless.  The viewers, as well as Peggy, are let into the fact that the primary purpose behind the troupe is to move goods.  What kind of goods?  Anything they can't obtain in person.  This goes beyond the usual cigarettes, cell phones, ipads, and poker decks.  Anything goes - the weirder the better.  

Although trades of goods are not the primary or secondary focus of the show approximately five minutes of air time will be devoted to how the item is obtained and what it is used for.  One mid-season episode is entitled Goliath.  The troupe itself 'trades-in' a small jar of four black widow spiders 'for gambling'.  At the end of the episode, however, the prison is locked down as a brutal guard is found dead in his office.   Vincent, the quiet director of the troupe, warns Peggy to say she doesn't know anything.  And that 'Rumor isn't truth."  The next episode opens with Peggy being interviewed by the Lieutenant Warden regarding what she knows of how the guard dies.  

Other troupe members include Jordi-Gordi-Diana.  Peggy's uncertain around him at first as, per the other troupe members, one never knows which one of the personalities you're talking to.  They grow closer, though, when Peggy learns the austere Shakespearean actor cannot read.  She decides to take Jordi-Gordi-Diana under her wing.  (By the end of the first season he's mastered reading at a fifth grade level and html coding.)

Though Peggy herself is often caught flat-footed, and a little surprised at the troupe's open attitudes towards just about everything, she surprises them as well.  When it's revealed Peggy is having relationship issues, each of the troupe members attempt to help her through 'man speak'.  In one episode troupe members argue the philosophical approach Peggy should take in dealing with her husband.  The prisoners backing the Freud 'method' (just f**k him till he grins) go sharpened spoon to fists with the prisoners backing the Maslow 'method' (lock him in a dark closet and deprive him of all things until he begs for forgiveness).  

One breakout surprise is Monster.  He's a former military specialist who has the habit of giving timely advice and mixing up his Shakespearean lines with poetry from Keats.  Monster collects postcards and magazine cut-outs of rare art pieces.  Though their relationship starts out warmly, Peggy's not to sure of him as the season travels on.  Her security in being around Monster takes a serious nosedive during the season ending episode.

Speaking of the season ender, what would you expect to happen at a prison?  That's right: a riot.  And Peggy Mathers is caught behind bars in an unfamiliar prison with the Ants of Words Shakespeare Troupe.  Asphault, a wiry haired wannabe vegan, suggests she eats the beta fish to survive.  A small betting war is started between two lesser troupe members as to whether or not Peggy will.  Later in the episode inmates burst into the room only to be faced with Monster.   Monster protects Peggy from the rioting inmates by doing what he does best: breaking bones and ending lives.  Ending scenes from this season are of Peggy talking about how she doesn't know if she's going to return to the troupe.  As the credits roll out Joseph can be heard quoting lines from Taming of the Shrew.  

  

*   All names are changed to protect the innocent. 
** Convicts are presumed innocent except where prosecuted in a court of law.

I enjoyed reading these League Challenge posts:
Lair of the Dark Horde
The Ward
Thrift Justice
Geeks In Love
Special Note: 3 B's Toy Hive - Must watch the 911 operator videos to the very end.  Too Good!  This made me laugh so hard.  Thank you!