Once Upon a Time...

I’m Low Carbin’ it again.

Last time I lost a ton (thankfully figuratively) of weight. 

Mmmm. Meat.

Ya’ll doing any diets out there?

Thank you epiphany for reminding me that livejournal exists.  My life swept me away, but I have returned. Better for me no doubt, I cannot say if that is so for you.

I have many things of which to speak, but for now I am learning to be a magician. 

Coin magic is my new love and passion. I thought I had seen the best reactions from children while storytelling.  But when plucking half dollars from the air and plunking them into an empty can… well… it’s been fun.  I look forward to doing more.

Hey, how have you been? I’ve missed you.

Social sites are strange and treacherous. Through no less than two mutual friends this picture pops up and back in my life.

High School. Parade Time. What did the Drama Folken do? Rocky Horror Picture Show, of course. 

 
I seem to have a running history with wigs...

I’m the dashing fellow with the Ace of Spades painted on my face. Justin has a good thing going with the head scar. I could never have pulled off meatloaf. 

Blackiestark informed us today is the 20^th anniversary of MSTK 3000. 

Joel, Mike and the ‘bots have shaped my life, no mistake.

 As a freshman in high school, my father hailed me to say, “There’s a show I think you’d like.  They make fun of movies.  It’s sort of like ‘Mad Movies’” (a short lived show where the dialogue of movies was replaced with silliness).

 It is too strong a statement to say they are responsible for meeting my wife, the super hot

 eviljen, but it went a long way in our initial meeting that we shared that interest.

If you’re a Netflixer, give them a try.
 
Mike Hangin' With his Peeps...

You shall not be disappointed.

Bolt is a mighty fine movie. 

I speak with the authenticy of a father sitting next to a five year old snacking down on Buncha Crunches.

Like Shakespeare working within Iambic Pentameter to eek out eloquence, a genre movie is judged not by its breaking of the rules, but how well it plays within them.

Bolt’s genre is “The Hero’s Journey”.

The doggie who can’t (and the opening sequence of him pretending to be a superdog is enjoyment by its lonesome) must cross the United States and save his human.

 
Heroes' Journey Here We Come!

I don’t know if John Travolta plays better when not on screen, but his earnest portrayal of the wonder hund coming to terms with zero powers is earnest.

I cannot strictly say I recommend this movie if you’re not going with a child, but I can say you won’t be disappointed.

Be polite, until it’s time to not be polite.

Yes, it’s a bad take on a Roudhouse line, but it stands true.  When pulled over by the cops, do you want the satisfaction of yelling at The Fuzz, or do you want to not get a $250 ticket?

You’ll be amazed at what a upbeat, open attitude will get you when trying to get your way.  It’s taken me through more arduous confrontations with utility companies and officers of the law than I care mention.

 
"Wonderful day, isn't it officer?"

Has being polite ever worked out especially well in your favor?

As a wee lad, I remember well Christmas morning.  What stands out most clearly were the rectangular packages, smallish with firm plastic beneath.

Yes, it was a video game.  Hell yeah.

Several years ago, two young men who make their living playing video games started a charity designed to give children hospital bound video games.  Millions of dollars in video games, DVDs and books have been distributed to kids who cannot use a bicycle even if they receive one.

When you donate, you don’t just give cash (though you can, of course) but rather buy a specific game requested by a child.  So on Christmas morn a tad who perhaps coughs too much and whos hair may not be quite in place will open a rectangular box, smallish with firm plastic beneath.  Hell Yeah.

This year I bought Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness on the recommendation of my next door neighbor, a teenager who declared it “really, really fun”.

I'm happy just looking at the cover...

Check out Child’s Play here.  You’re a few clicks from making a sick child forget all the tubes and tests for a while and concentrate on defeating ninjas while getting well.

I’m looking forward to Malcom Gladwell’s most recent publication, Outliners.  It takes into account the human element of how a “Bill Gates” is created. 

If you have not read his other books, Blink or Tipping Point, I must highly recommend them.  The audio books are read by the author, and his quiet, persistent voice is compelling when turning statistical numbers into a human story.

Malcom Gladwell

Who wouldn't want to read anything from a man with that head of hair?

There, that’s my endorsements.  Any books you think ought to be read?