First, apologies for not getting any new updates up at Casa del House. It's been a crazy few weeks, and I haven't had the free time I thought I would, and the podcast blah, blah, blah, no one's missing me, anyway.
But, seriously, I am working on some things. In fact, if I don't get them done soon, they become irrelevant. So I need to get on those.
And also, I'm watching Gundam 00, one of several shows capable of saving any bad to mediocre day and making it into an awesome one.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
HouseTV: Webhead Advisory
I just thought that I'd drop a friendly reminder for anyone that might have forgotten that the new season of Spectacular Spider-Man is premiering tonight on DisneyXD. Two episodes will air starting at 7PM. Make sure to catch the new season, since A) it is awesome and B) a positive viewer response might just get a new season into production. Make sure to check it out.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Planet Houston Podcast eXtra: Episode 1
What's going on over at Planet Houston:
Sure, you think what you heard in episode 1 was wrapped in the crazy, but are you ready to hear what got left out? Be it cut because of time or possibly content, Thomas somehow feels the need to let you hear a sampling of what fell short of the main podcast. Not necessarily for the faint of heart (but not particularly threatening to them, either).
Check it out here.
Sure, you think what you heard in episode 1 was wrapped in the crazy, but are you ready to hear what got left out? Be it cut because of time or possibly content, Thomas somehow feels the need to let you hear a sampling of what fell short of the main podcast. Not necessarily for the faint of heart (but not particularly threatening to them, either).
Check it out here.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Stuff I Slept Through on Cable #4 :Even More West Wing
I can't explain why I enjoy the final season of West Wing as much as I do. Maybe it's because it brings me the presidential campaign and candidates that I wish we had going into an actual election run. In truth, it's almost what I thought we were going to get this past election cycle, but it was not to be. So then am I forced to look fondly towards this season of the show as an example of the best (or nearly best) of what could be.
Yes, it's yet another diatribe on the show that was West Wing. But cut me some slack here. It just so happens that this week covers the handful of episodes that I missed out on the last time the show ran through on Bravo. I had them recorded on my DVR, but eventually deleted them, assuming that the show's run would come back across them before I got around to watching them anyway.
At any rate, while I'm almost positive that I saw every single West Wing episode in existence, this morning pairing includes an episode that I just vaguely recall and one that I fondly remember.
The first episode, falling into the former category, drew much ire from me. Not the episode itself, mind you, but the fact that some genius at NBC Universal decided to pre-empt their broadcast schedule from 8:00 to 8:10 on pretty much all of their channels to show the opening tee-off of the US Open. Although to a certain extent, my frustration was assuaged when Tiger Woods proceeded to kick off his attempt at another major by shanking the ball almost out of play. His confused look over the matter was delicious.
Moving on, though, we have the glitz and glamour of a White House wedding in the appropriately titled, "The Wedding" (I had to double check that... thanks again, NBC...). The main highlights include President Bartlett temporarily defusing a major conflict by getting the parties to suspend any activity long enough for him to walk his daughter down the aisle. Also in this episode is a big push by some in the Democratic leadership to replace Josh as Matt Santos' campaign manager. Their choice to replace Josh (and Josh's by the by) is the already strained Leo McGarry. Near the end of the episode, an exasperated Leo mutters the line, "You're all trying to kill me...:" a statement that perhaps wasn't supposed to carry the ominous foreshadowing that it eventually did.
We then move into the episode, "Running Mates." Martin Sheen appears before the episode to state what most viewers already know. This was the first episode to air following the death of actor John Spencer. Sheen notes that they can think of no better tribute than to air the last of his work, and this episode provides a great statement of that fact.
This episode focuses on Spencer's character Leo McGarry preparing for the vice presidential debate. Leo isn't really doing so hot... actually, that's an understatement. Leo is doing horribly. So much so that it sends most of the group into a full-on panic to try and get him up to speed. Things aren't helped when news of Leo's poor performance leaks to the media, and his Republican counterpart begins to smell blood in the water.
The whole thing, of course, ends up working out. Leo doesn't soar, but he does far better than anyone thought he would a few days from the debate. As one reporter puts it, the VP debate doesn't manage to cause the campaign any damage, which is about all you can expect from one. And of course, we find out that the leak comes from Leo, who was so panicked by how panicked everyone else was that he took steps on his own to lower expectations.
A second viewing of these episodes really gave me a greater respect for Spencer and his character McGarry. Leo, while generally strong in both action and commentary, also manages to have moments where he seems genuinely worn down or tired, which would be expected given his recent recovery from a heart attack. And while I seem to remember Leo doing well at the VP debate, a second review shows that he simply did better than expectations, which in this case meant that he scraped by as “better than average.” And of course, the notion that Leo is not just computer literate but more so than anyone gives him credit for being is amusing as well. It’s a shame that both the character and the actor couldn’t have stuck around longer.
Yes, it's yet another diatribe on the show that was West Wing. But cut me some slack here. It just so happens that this week covers the handful of episodes that I missed out on the last time the show ran through on Bravo. I had them recorded on my DVR, but eventually deleted them, assuming that the show's run would come back across them before I got around to watching them anyway.
At any rate, while I'm almost positive that I saw every single West Wing episode in existence, this morning pairing includes an episode that I just vaguely recall and one that I fondly remember.
The first episode, falling into the former category, drew much ire from me. Not the episode itself, mind you, but the fact that some genius at NBC Universal decided to pre-empt their broadcast schedule from 8:00 to 8:10 on pretty much all of their channels to show the opening tee-off of the US Open. Although to a certain extent, my frustration was assuaged when Tiger Woods proceeded to kick off his attempt at another major by shanking the ball almost out of play. His confused look over the matter was delicious.
Moving on, though, we have the glitz and glamour of a White House wedding in the appropriately titled, "The Wedding" (I had to double check that... thanks again, NBC...). The main highlights include President Bartlett temporarily defusing a major conflict by getting the parties to suspend any activity long enough for him to walk his daughter down the aisle. Also in this episode is a big push by some in the Democratic leadership to replace Josh as Matt Santos' campaign manager. Their choice to replace Josh (and Josh's by the by) is the already strained Leo McGarry. Near the end of the episode, an exasperated Leo mutters the line, "You're all trying to kill me...:" a statement that perhaps wasn't supposed to carry the ominous foreshadowing that it eventually did.
We then move into the episode, "Running Mates." Martin Sheen appears before the episode to state what most viewers already know. This was the first episode to air following the death of actor John Spencer. Sheen notes that they can think of no better tribute than to air the last of his work, and this episode provides a great statement of that fact.
This episode focuses on Spencer's character Leo McGarry preparing for the vice presidential debate. Leo isn't really doing so hot... actually, that's an understatement. Leo is doing horribly. So much so that it sends most of the group into a full-on panic to try and get him up to speed. Things aren't helped when news of Leo's poor performance leaks to the media, and his Republican counterpart begins to smell blood in the water.
The whole thing, of course, ends up working out. Leo doesn't soar, but he does far better than anyone thought he would a few days from the debate. As one reporter puts it, the VP debate doesn't manage to cause the campaign any damage, which is about all you can expect from one. And of course, we find out that the leak comes from Leo, who was so panicked by how panicked everyone else was that he took steps on his own to lower expectations.
A second viewing of these episodes really gave me a greater respect for Spencer and his character McGarry. Leo, while generally strong in both action and commentary, also manages to have moments where he seems genuinely worn down or tired, which would be expected given his recent recovery from a heart attack. And while I seem to remember Leo doing well at the VP debate, a second review shows that he simply did better than expectations, which in this case meant that he scraped by as “better than average.” And of course, the notion that Leo is not just computer literate but more so than anyone gives him credit for being is amusing as well. It’s a shame that both the character and the actor couldn’t have stuck around longer.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Planet Houston Podcast is On the Air!
From the people... er, person that brings you your weekly dose of insanity at House Rules! comes... Planet Houston Podcast! Reviews and commentary on television, film, comic books, and gaming... along with the more than occasional dose of the crazy.
Take a few moments (18 give or take) to check it out, then be sure to provide some feedback. Your voice is important! And your keypresses, too, since that's probably... how you'll end up... doing it.
... just check it out, and thanks (and perhaps apologies) in advance.
Take a few moments (18 give or take) to check it out, then be sure to provide some feedback. Your voice is important! And your keypresses, too, since that's probably... how you'll end up... doing it.
... just check it out, and thanks (and perhaps apologies) in advance.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Full Hype: My Dog is Superhero
It's been said that a good pitch (movie, television, comic, what have you...) should able to be boiled down to a short sentence or phrase. If the premise is strong enough, it can even end up as a title. It should come then as no surprise that the title of Rashad Doucet's graphic novel is in fact as good a descriptor of the book's premise as any: My Dog is a Superhero.Young Ashleigh Bryce's world is spiraling out of control. Strange alien creatures have appeared, disguising themselves as common (and not so common) animals. Some try to be peaceful, while others have nothing but evil on their minds (go figure). Despite all of this, Ashleigh still makes an effort to live a normal, everyday life. And if things get rough, she can always count on her faithful dog Wolfie to have her back. And of course, it doesn't hurt that her dog just happens to be an alien, too, and a hero at that.
Such is the premise of My Dog is a Superhero. Through four chapters, we get to see Ashleigh try to get through "The Longest Day Ever!" while dealing with all manner of alien beasties. But it's Wolfboy (affectionately call "Wolfie") who does the heavy lifting, springing to action (and a pseudo-humanoid form) in an attempt to catch the alien invaders.
When I initially went through the book way back when, I thought that it was a little light on story. To a certain degree, this is true. But while Doucet's style focuses heavily on action, it isn't there simply for the sake of splash panels. His action tells the story that it's meant to tell. There are a few places (especially when the story skips forward) that you may have to "fill in the blanks" but it's hardly a burden.
Along the same lines, dialogue can become sparse in places, but it effectively conveys the personality of the characters. If I were to have one complaint, it would be that the source of much of the meatier conversations and character moments tend to happen in the latter acts. But to be honest, that's better than just having the entire plot fall apart at the end like some books do.
The art in the book could best be described as dynamic. It's a bit "four-color world meets manga" and the panels and art are designed to accent Doucet's high-impact style. The character deform and aren't in perfect scale, but it's clearly a style choice as opposed to lazy artwork. I'll openly admit that it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it works well with a story like this one. Honestly, I don't think the book would work as well with a more "conventional" style.
I've shown copies of this book to people here and there, and one thing that stands out to me is how much universal appeal it seems to have. People who haven't ever touched a comic or graphic novel find it interesting and entertaining. And while I haven't tossed it at any of the younger generation, I have no doubt that young people would be bound to enjoy it a great deal.
(Ed. Note: I chose to forgo a traditional review with scores and the like since Rashad is a good friend of mine. While most of the article is an honest review of the title in question, I just know I would have bumped his score a point subconsciously. Still, the fact that he's a cool guy, and he does good work. You should check it out.)
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Natural Selection
While I work on putting the finishing touches on the last of my weekend projects (hopefully), and focus on what's next on the agenda, I have a side task that I'm working on. Of course, I've been horribly dragged into the Facebook lately, and one of the apps that I've been goofing around with is one by the name of NetworkedBlogs. Basically, it lets you link your blog to a network available on Facebook. In theory, it can save me a little time and effort if I ever want to link something from here to there (assuming I can get those elusive last few followers I need to get my links properly feeded.
Anywho, one of the things you can do while setting up the profile of your blog is to add a few select posts as sample work. And while I have no doubts I could find some interesting stuff on my own, I figured I'd put it out there. So if there's anything yu've seen or read,r ecently or otherwise, that stands out to you as exceptionally unique, entertaining, or interesting, let me know. But don't stress too much over it. Thanks in advance.
Anywho, one of the things you can do while setting up the profile of your blog is to add a few select posts as sample work. And while I have no doubts I could find some interesting stuff on my own, I figured I'd put it out there. So if there's anything yu've seen or read,r ecently or otherwise, that stands out to you as exceptionally unique, entertaining, or interesting, let me know. But don't stress too much over it. Thanks in advance.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Abstract Thought of the Day
Sure, everyone wants to accuse someone of being the Anti-Christ, but no one wants to point out that Green Day seems to be freakin' everywhere these days. I'm not saying that there's a connection, but... hmm...
Thursday, June 11, 2009
IGN Video: Scribblenauts Nintendo DS Walkthrough - E3 Demo
I stand by my belief that if Scribblenauts even comes close to meeting its potential, it will be an awesome game.
IGN Video: Scribblenauts Nintendo DS Walkthrough - E3 Demo
Shared via AddThis
IGN Video: Scribblenauts Nintendo DS Walkthrough - E3 Demo
Shared via AddThis
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
5 Animated Shows That any Adult Can Enjoy
(...and that kids will probably enjoy, too.)
Once upon a time, the world of animated shorts was designed exclusively for adults. What? You think those old Loony Tunes shorts were actually made for consumption by children? Have you seen some of the in jokes in those things? But somewhere, over the course of time, people decided that kids made perfect targets for animated television. So much so, in fact, that it was practically a stigma for an adult to admit that they watched a "silly cartoon."
Fortunately, over the course of time, there have been some exceptions. Shows that, while targeting children, were actually written like the kids had brains and might enjoy some decent storytelling. Not to mention that some adults (with or without children) might be able to enjoy the higher level they present themselves on.
With that in mind, I present this: a hearty handful of all ages animated programming that I feel that any grownup (especially one in my age range) would enjoy. Note that the list is restricted to shows that are currently airing new (or newish) episodes, and that for the sake of not sparking a tremendous level of debate, I have completely omitted anime from this list. It's the only way to keep five different mech based shows from being listed here.
The list, not necessarily in order of preference (although the latter part of the list does contain my favorite of favorites).
5. Johnny Test: This is an odd choice, and arguably the "kiddiest" of the kid's targeted shows on the list. But while I don't watch the show religiously, I have never seen an episode that I haven't enjoyed a great deal. It's in the vein of the Powerpuff Girls and a few other shows of a similar ilk, which may explain why it hits its points the way that it does.
Who would think that a show about a boy who ends up a guinea pig for his two sisters’ crazy laboratory experiments would have legs? Really, the show is eight shades of insane, but within the insanity and gags is a solid foundation of writing. Well, as solid as you can get in a show that does two 10 minute shorts per episode.
4. Ben 10: Alien Force: When I first heard of this show (which would technically be the in the series Ben 10), I honestly thought it sounded stupid. Okay, to be fair, I heard it pitched as effectively being a version of the old DC comic series Dial H for HERO except that the lead was a kid. So the first thought I had was, "Lame. Why not just do the actual show?" Even I have my weak moments.
But much to my surprise, this quirky little series is pretty deep. There's plot progression, overlying story arcs, and as evidenced by the show's transition to Alien Force, the main characters actually get older and wiser. I honestly like teen Ben and Gwen more than I ever did kid Ben and Gwen. And they finally get Gwen a boyfriend so that her and Ben don’t have that creepy “cousins” vibe going on. Or was that just me?
3. Transformers: Animated: This is one of those shows that took a ton of flak for being too "kiddie looking." Apparently, some people viewed that as a poor style choice for a show targeting... kids? Yeah, geeks are weird sometimes. But overlooking that one thing (made irrelevant by the fact that the style works for the show), this show is well put together.
Sure, it gets a bit goofy at times, but it doesn't play down to some imagined child's story level. And the show manages to forge new ground while paying homage to the shows that preceded it. I'm a big fan of the theme song that throws back to the original animated series. And if that doesn't work for you, the Constructicons talk with New York accents. How can you not like that?
2. Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Oh, the gripes that were heard when this show was first teased. "The art looks bad." "It's nothing like the Timm/Dini series." "Why does Batman have a lightsaber?" But once you get past all of that, what you end up with is a jazzy series that highlights some of the more over-the-top, campy facets of Batman as a superhero. Yes, it draws some very clear parallels to the old Adam West show (the Robin episode, in particular), but some would argue that that show had its serious moments at times, too.
And don't be fooled. Beneath its campy exterior, the show has some very grounded and serious overtones. Even in the middle of a comic moment, the characters still manage to display their personalities and motivations in compelling ways. And the characters... the show makes a conscious choice to go outside the box and pair Batman up with heroes and villains that only the most hardcore of Bat-fans (and even ardent DC comics readers) could ever hope to identify or recognize. Seriously, who would ever think to form an entire episode around the exploits of Crazy Quilt?
1. Spectacular Spider-Man: When what's probably my favorite super-hero of all time gets his own animated show, that's normally all I need to get hyped. But Greg Weissman and company bring something very special to the table with this one. Given the difficult task of trying to balance the early high school life of Peter Parker with a hearty helping of Peter's friends, foes, and supervillains, the crew here manages to bring it all together in a refreshing mix of drama, action, and comedy.
Some might argue that there are way too many convenient characters floating around, but that just makes it more fun to me. The fact that many of Spidey's foes start out as common hoods that he ran into before they had powers actually makes more sense in the long run, and the constant group of references from and to other cast members only serves to pay proper homage to the characters’ history and possibly set up future storylines. What else can I say about a show that makes me actually care about Venom again?
Of major note is that season 2 of Spectacular Spider-Man is set to premiere on DisneyXD very shortly, and that the potential for there being a season 3 may well depend on whether the new season gets good ratings. So make sure to check it out. I've seen most of it already, but I'll be watching it again on general principle. The show is just that good.
So that’s it. There’s a bit of a running theme with many of the shows in that they all seem kiddy on the surface but end up being deeper. They’re hardly the first shows to pull it off, but if you’re going to be stuck sitting in front of the TV with your ki… er, spend valuable family bonding time with your children, or if you’re going to be ragged on by your friends for “watching some stupid cartoon,” you might as well be caught watching a good show, right?
Once upon a time, the world of animated shorts was designed exclusively for adults. What? You think those old Loony Tunes shorts were actually made for consumption by children? Have you seen some of the in jokes in those things? But somewhere, over the course of time, people decided that kids made perfect targets for animated television. So much so, in fact, that it was practically a stigma for an adult to admit that they watched a "silly cartoon."
Fortunately, over the course of time, there have been some exceptions. Shows that, while targeting children, were actually written like the kids had brains and might enjoy some decent storytelling. Not to mention that some adults (with or without children) might be able to enjoy the higher level they present themselves on.
With that in mind, I present this: a hearty handful of all ages animated programming that I feel that any grownup (especially one in my age range) would enjoy. Note that the list is restricted to shows that are currently airing new (or newish) episodes, and that for the sake of not sparking a tremendous level of debate, I have completely omitted anime from this list. It's the only way to keep five different mech based shows from being listed here.
The list, not necessarily in order of preference (although the latter part of the list does contain my favorite of favorites).
5. Johnny Test: This is an odd choice, and arguably the "kiddiest" of the kid's targeted shows on the list. But while I don't watch the show religiously, I have never seen an episode that I haven't enjoyed a great deal. It's in the vein of the Powerpuff Girls and a few other shows of a similar ilk, which may explain why it hits its points the way that it does.Who would think that a show about a boy who ends up a guinea pig for his two sisters’ crazy laboratory experiments would have legs? Really, the show is eight shades of insane, but within the insanity and gags is a solid foundation of writing. Well, as solid as you can get in a show that does two 10 minute shorts per episode.
4. Ben 10: Alien Force: When I first heard of this show (which would technically be the in the series Ben 10), I honestly thought it sounded stupid. Okay, to be fair, I heard it pitched as effectively being a version of the old DC comic series Dial H for HERO except that the lead was a kid. So the first thought I had was, "Lame. Why not just do the actual show?" Even I have my weak moments.But much to my surprise, this quirky little series is pretty deep. There's plot progression, overlying story arcs, and as evidenced by the show's transition to Alien Force, the main characters actually get older and wiser. I honestly like teen Ben and Gwen more than I ever did kid Ben and Gwen. And they finally get Gwen a boyfriend so that her and Ben don’t have that creepy “cousins” vibe going on. Or was that just me?
3. Transformers: Animated: This is one of those shows that took a ton of flak for being too "kiddie looking." Apparently, some people viewed that as a poor style choice for a show targeting... kids? Yeah, geeks are weird sometimes. But overlooking that one thing (made irrelevant by the fact that the style works for the show), this show is well put together.Sure, it gets a bit goofy at times, but it doesn't play down to some imagined child's story level. And the show manages to forge new ground while paying homage to the shows that preceded it. I'm a big fan of the theme song that throws back to the original animated series. And if that doesn't work for you, the Constructicons talk with New York accents. How can you not like that?
2. Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Oh, the gripes that were heard when this show was first teased. "The art looks bad." "It's nothing like the Timm/Dini series." "Why does Batman have a lightsaber?" But once you get past all of that, what you end up with is a jazzy series that highlights some of the more over-the-top, campy facets of Batman as a superhero. Yes, it draws some very clear parallels to the old Adam West show (the Robin episode, in particular), but some would argue that that show had its serious moments at times, too.And don't be fooled. Beneath its campy exterior, the show has some very grounded and serious overtones. Even in the middle of a comic moment, the characters still manage to display their personalities and motivations in compelling ways. And the characters... the show makes a conscious choice to go outside the box and pair Batman up with heroes and villains that only the most hardcore of Bat-fans (and even ardent DC comics readers) could ever hope to identify or recognize. Seriously, who would ever think to form an entire episode around the exploits of Crazy Quilt?
1. Spectacular Spider-Man: When what's probably my favorite super-hero of all time gets his own animated show, that's normally all I need to get hyped. But Greg Weissman and company bring something very special to the table with this one. Given the difficult task of trying to balance the early high school life of Peter Parker with a hearty helping of Peter's friends, foes, and supervillains, the crew here manages to bring it all together in a refreshing mix of drama, action, and comedy.Some might argue that there are way too many convenient characters floating around, but that just makes it more fun to me. The fact that many of Spidey's foes start out as common hoods that he ran into before they had powers actually makes more sense in the long run, and the constant group of references from and to other cast members only serves to pay proper homage to the characters’ history and possibly set up future storylines. What else can I say about a show that makes me actually care about Venom again?
Of major note is that season 2 of Spectacular Spider-Man is set to premiere on DisneyXD very shortly, and that the potential for there being a season 3 may well depend on whether the new season gets good ratings. So make sure to check it out. I've seen most of it already, but I'll be watching it again on general principle. The show is just that good.
So that’s it. There’s a bit of a running theme with many of the shows in that they all seem kiddy on the surface but end up being deeper. They’re hardly the first shows to pull it off, but if you’re going to be stuck sitting in front of the TV with your ki… er, spend valuable family bonding time with your children, or if you’re going to be ragged on by your friends for “watching some stupid cartoon,” you might as well be caught watching a good show, right?
The Mystery of the Persistent Popup!
...or... why Thomas needs to pay more attention to his life.
So I just had a mini-adventure of epic proportions. I thought for sure that my computer had been reverse-hacked, or at the very least that I had a faulty peripheral. I may be partially right on that last one.
Anywho, I was trying to skip that pesky Facebook page that asks you to send quizzes that you've finished to your friends, when I started to notice something weird. Instead of navigating to a new page, the new page would pop up in a new window. "What the deuce?" I thought to myself. I've run across some strange mojo in my day, but this was a true mystery.
So I go back to the first window, and I try again. But something's not quite right. In fact all of my mouse functions are acting kind of wonky. Menus are coming up crazy or not at all, and simple clicks aren't doing what they should be.
At this point, I'm a little peeved. I'm thinking that of all the things I want to buy this week, a new mouse wasn't on the agenda. I'm halfway into the control panel to try and see if the mouse settings have somehow magically readjusted themselves when I notice that I can't even single select an icon. Somehow, every single icon leading up to that one has been selected, too. And it won't stop.
Now, the technically savvy among you may have no doubt figured out what the problem was at this point, but stupid me had to clue in on a multi-select in progress and actually bother to look down to discover the culprit: a fan favorite of mine, the sticky SHIFT key. Yes, the key that occasionally jams for a few seconds jammed for much longer, leading to my temporary loss of sanity.
So I may well need a new peripheral, but in this case it would be a keyboard, not a mouse. But really, I'll probably just suck it up and deal with this one a little longer. And try to remember that nonsense in case it ever shows up again.
So I just had a mini-adventure of epic proportions. I thought for sure that my computer had been reverse-hacked, or at the very least that I had a faulty peripheral. I may be partially right on that last one.
Anywho, I was trying to skip that pesky Facebook page that asks you to send quizzes that you've finished to your friends, when I started to notice something weird. Instead of navigating to a new page, the new page would pop up in a new window. "What the deuce?" I thought to myself. I've run across some strange mojo in my day, but this was a true mystery.
So I go back to the first window, and I try again. But something's not quite right. In fact all of my mouse functions are acting kind of wonky. Menus are coming up crazy or not at all, and simple clicks aren't doing what they should be.
At this point, I'm a little peeved. I'm thinking that of all the things I want to buy this week, a new mouse wasn't on the agenda. I'm halfway into the control panel to try and see if the mouse settings have somehow magically readjusted themselves when I notice that I can't even single select an icon. Somehow, every single icon leading up to that one has been selected, too. And it won't stop.
Now, the technically savvy among you may have no doubt figured out what the problem was at this point, but stupid me had to clue in on a multi-select in progress and actually bother to look down to discover the culprit: a fan favorite of mine, the sticky SHIFT key. Yes, the key that occasionally jams for a few seconds jammed for much longer, leading to my temporary loss of sanity.
So I may well need a new peripheral, but in this case it would be a keyboard, not a mouse. But really, I'll probably just suck it up and deal with this one a little longer. And try to remember that nonsense in case it ever shows up again.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Some Orders Can't be Ignored...
I heard that this was the fate that befell Stephen Colbert in Iraq, but seeing the sequence that led up to it proved to be funnier than I ever imagined.
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Obama Orders Stephen's Haircut - Ray Odierno | ||||
| ||||
Monday, June 8, 2009
HouseTV: Overseas Advisory
Everyone and their grandmother should know this by now, but tonight is the first night of a full week of Stephen Colbert doing his show from Iraq. If you've never bothered to see the show before, this might just be the week to check it out. I'm sure that some rampant insanity is bound to happen (in fact, I think they've already reported it happening or about to happen).
Updated HouseKeeping
If I do this for one more week, it'll almost be like I have an actual schedule or something. Anywho, the week starts out on a bit of a down note in RL, as my delicious vacation week comes to a close. But hey, at least I am still employed... at least I hope so.
As for the site, things should go pretty smoothly for the week. I have a few major articles I'm working on that should be out before the week is over. And of course, I'll find some more stuff to ramble about before then. And oddly enough, I'm currently debating whether or not I'm going to attempt that podcast thing that all the hip kids are doing. It can't be that hard... right?
As for the site, things should go pretty smoothly for the week. I have a few major articles I'm working on that should be out before the week is over. And of course, I'll find some more stuff to ramble about before then. And oddly enough, I'm currently debating whether or not I'm going to attempt that podcast thing that all the hip kids are doing. It can't be that hard... right?
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Things I've Slept Through on Cable #3: SNL Edition
And no, I didn't watch A Night at the Roxbury. I doubt I will ever be that bored with my life, and that's saying a lot. No, this edition features two SNL stars, one an alum and another at the height of their popularity. And while technically I was awake for all of the latter film, I was really sleepy for most of it.
The first film featured is a Molly Shannon vehicle titled Year of the Dog. In it, Molly plays a rather odd woman (how can she not, really) who has a dog named Pencil. I missed the first 30 minutes or so of the film, so I didn't get to see Pencil. See, pencil bites the big one at the beginning of the film, an act that sends Shannon's character down a slippery slope of delusion, self-discovery, and activism. Think Robin Williams in One Hour Photo minus the completely psychotic last act and you have a pretty good idea what goes on here.
I wouldn't necessarily call the film enjoyable, but it was far from un-entertaining. Of course, it was 4-5 AM when I was watching it, so it's not like there was much else on. But for some reason, I got attached enough to the premise that I stuck it out to the end to see what happens. It has a bit of a non-ending, but maybe it makes more sense if you see it from the beginning.
The next film is a bit zanier... no, actually it's bat-**** insane. Andy Samberg has certainly established himself as a video genius and a master of the surreal, but the feature film Hot Rod spotlights most of that and takes it to the extreme. Samberg plays young amateur stuntman with a simple dream: to win his step-father's respect. Along the way he hangs with his friends, attempts to win the love of a lady, and performs stunts that would make Super Dave Osborne cringe.
But as crazy as the whole thing is, it keeps a consistent pace, and I found myself actually caught up in the story. The climax provides some of the most hilarious side references I have ever seen, and the conclusion is nothing short of epic.
So all in all, it was an interesting pair of films to stumble across. And it's always nice to be reminded that SNL stars, under the right circumstances, can still be entertaining in film.
The first film featured is a Molly Shannon vehicle titled Year of the Dog. In it, Molly plays a rather odd woman (how can she not, really) who has a dog named Pencil. I missed the first 30 minutes or so of the film, so I didn't get to see Pencil. See, pencil bites the big one at the beginning of the film, an act that sends Shannon's character down a slippery slope of delusion, self-discovery, and activism. Think Robin Williams in One Hour Photo minus the completely psychotic last act and you have a pretty good idea what goes on here.
I wouldn't necessarily call the film enjoyable, but it was far from un-entertaining. Of course, it was 4-5 AM when I was watching it, so it's not like there was much else on. But for some reason, I got attached enough to the premise that I stuck it out to the end to see what happens. It has a bit of a non-ending, but maybe it makes more sense if you see it from the beginning.
The next film is a bit zanier... no, actually it's bat-**** insane. Andy Samberg has certainly established himself as a video genius and a master of the surreal, but the feature film Hot Rod spotlights most of that and takes it to the extreme. Samberg plays young amateur stuntman with a simple dream: to win his step-father's respect. Along the way he hangs with his friends, attempts to win the love of a lady, and performs stunts that would make Super Dave Osborne cringe.
But as crazy as the whole thing is, it keeps a consistent pace, and I found myself actually caught up in the story. The climax provides some of the most hilarious side references I have ever seen, and the conclusion is nothing short of epic.
So all in all, it was an interesting pair of films to stumble across. And it's always nice to be reminded that SNL stars, under the right circumstances, can still be entertaining in film.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Abstract Thought of the Day (with Video Assist)
If you're going to make a flash mob, then you might as well make one that counts.
And when you're done, make sure you follow it up on the street outside. No one's going to call the cops on you. What would they say to them?
"This mob of people are doing the MC Hammer dance in the streets. No, I am not on any medication..."
Also, where do you bulk order those pants from? Not that I'm thinking of anything nefarious... No...
And when you're done, make sure you follow it up on the street outside. No one's going to call the cops on you. What would they say to them?
"This mob of people are doing the MC Hammer dance in the streets. No, I am not on any medication..."
Also, where do you bulk order those pants from? Not that I'm thinking of anything nefarious... No...
Friday, June 5, 2009
Random Funny Videos for the Weekend
First, Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart never quite seem to get the end of show toss right, but Stephen clearly shows that he has feet of clay here (and no, I will never get tired of Keyboard Cat).
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | M - Th 11p / 10c | |||
| Daily/Colbert - Keyboard Cat | ||||
| ||||
Of course, Stephen Colbert knows how to scare kids out of having sex. Uh...
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| The Word - Just Don't Do It | ||||
| ||||
And any thoughts I had about not enjoying Comedy Central's new show Tosh.0 quickly faded away when I saw one of his recurring segments: Web Redemption. This week, Daniel tracked down the infamous Afro-Ninja and gave him a chance at redemption. Although apparently, it's not like life has been treating him bad.
| Tosh.0 | Thurs June 4th, 10pm / 9c | |||
| Preview - Afro Ninja: Redemption | ||||
| ||||
Thursday, June 4, 2009
"You're hurt..." / "Lady, I'm ****ing dead!"
Or... why Dead Heat is, in fact, ridiculously awesome.
You may recall my previous commentary on this film, a half-sleeping daze of a remembrance that made me question if such a film actually existed. For that purpose (and also because during a vacation week, I am much less picky about how I spend my time), I not only made note of when it was airing again, but also recorded on my DVR. I was that dedicated to watching it in full.
What to say about this film...? As mentioned before, the plot revolves around detectives Mortis (played by Treat Williams) and Bigelow (played by... Joe Piscopo). The two get dragged into a robbery ring being committed by zombies. Yes, that is the premise, and at no point in time does the film make any apologies over it. The only thing more insane than its premise is its execution (pun, intended). It's a film that both doesn't take itself seriously yet at the same time makes its characters almost seem to care.
The writing leaves much to be desired. In fact, I will add this film to the list of things I think about when I feel like I couldn't be a professional writer. There are any number of moments that look like they came straight out of a first draft. Case in point: there's a moment mid-film where Bigelow, while attempting to enter a restricted area, shorts out a card reader using the plastic visitor's badge he was given at the entrance. No jimmying or anything; he just sticks it into the card slot and short circuits it.
Really, this film is cheese-tastic. It's rated R, but it have to have been skirting the line for PG-13. And someone should have cut the handful of sharp obscenities and graphic (but mostly comedic) violence down so that all the teens could have checked this out... wherever it was shown. I can't believe that it existed in theaters; it had to have gone straight to cable or something. I mean it wasn't Troma Films bad, but it was close.
And yet, there is a certain quality to it. Williams' Roger Mortis, who becomes unfortunately undead, faces his impending doom with a stoic, carefree attitude that eventually gives way to bouts of regret about his life and then fades completely into a delicious episode of, "F*** this!" As a side note, someone should make a TV show called, "F*** this!"
But don't let that last part convince you that the film is there for anything other than camp value. It's clearly in the "so bad it's good" category, and the only thing more amazing than the fact that it was made is that supposedly, someone actually wanted to greenlight a sequel (which, if you ever see the film, you'll know would be highly impossible to pull off). Still, I must convince someone to see this, if only so they can share in my combination joy/pain.
You may recall my previous commentary on this film, a half-sleeping daze of a remembrance that made me question if such a film actually existed. For that purpose (and also because during a vacation week, I am much less picky about how I spend my time), I not only made note of when it was airing again, but also recorded on my DVR. I was that dedicated to watching it in full.
What to say about this film...? As mentioned before, the plot revolves around detectives Mortis (played by Treat Williams) and Bigelow (played by... Joe Piscopo). The two get dragged into a robbery ring being committed by zombies. Yes, that is the premise, and at no point in time does the film make any apologies over it. The only thing more insane than its premise is its execution (pun, intended). It's a film that both doesn't take itself seriously yet at the same time makes its characters almost seem to care.
The writing leaves much to be desired. In fact, I will add this film to the list of things I think about when I feel like I couldn't be a professional writer. There are any number of moments that look like they came straight out of a first draft. Case in point: there's a moment mid-film where Bigelow, while attempting to enter a restricted area, shorts out a card reader using the plastic visitor's badge he was given at the entrance. No jimmying or anything; he just sticks it into the card slot and short circuits it.
Really, this film is cheese-tastic. It's rated R, but it have to have been skirting the line for PG-13. And someone should have cut the handful of sharp obscenities and graphic (but mostly comedic) violence down so that all the teens could have checked this out... wherever it was shown. I can't believe that it existed in theaters; it had to have gone straight to cable or something. I mean it wasn't Troma Films bad, but it was close.
And yet, there is a certain quality to it. Williams' Roger Mortis, who becomes unfortunately undead, faces his impending doom with a stoic, carefree attitude that eventually gives way to bouts of regret about his life and then fades completely into a delicious episode of, "F*** this!" As a side note, someone should make a TV show called, "F*** this!"
But don't let that last part convince you that the film is there for anything other than camp value. It's clearly in the "so bad it's good" category, and the only thing more amazing than the fact that it was made is that supposedly, someone actually wanted to greenlight a sequel (which, if you ever see the film, you'll know would be highly impossible to pull off). Still, I must convince someone to see this, if only so they can share in my combination joy/pain.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Abstract ThoughtS of the Day (It's a Two-fer)
You know why Facebook is evil? Because eventually you get bored enough to go looking for old friends and classmates, and then once you find them, you have to debate whether you actually wish to touch base with them again. Was it indifference or emotional trauma that caused me to break contact with you. Hmm...
and...
Motion capture is apparently the next big step for gaming systems. Prepare to look like a spaz (or more like one) in the coming years.
and...
Motion capture is apparently the next big step for gaming systems. Prepare to look like a spaz (or more like one) in the coming years.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Even More HouseKeeping
As of this afternoon, I've officially joined the Facebook. I also managed to reactivate my deviantART account, which I had actually forgotten that I had. Of course, it's not like I had added any art or anything. Anywho, I should be updating both over time, although with deviantART it will probably take a good while before I get around to doing anything concrete.
Abstract Thought of the Day
I know it's just showing a change in the status of my newly formed account, but somehow seeing "Thomas is now single." under my Facebook activities makes me feel like people will think I just broke up with someone.
Having a Price
Someone really annoyed me a while back by making what they thought was an idle observation but for some reason I took personally. The accusation: that I have a price.
... No, it's not a Redford in Indecent Proposal type of price. Because if that were involved in any way, I'd be sitting on some beach somewhere counting my money right now. I never said I'd be proud of myself.
In this particular case, the question was whether or not I'd be willing to sell out the intellectual rights on a story or characters that I had if the price was right. For some reason, the notion that I might be attached to the characters personally and emotionally was insane. There had to be some number, the guy surmised, at which my principle on the matter would simply fade away. I think I ended up settling at somewhere around half a million based mostly around A) my inability to believe that any idea I had would be valued at that high a price to anyone and B) the fact that I could always pull an end around, doctor some names and details, and reinvent the main focus of the concept later. Heck, I'd have a half a million to pull it off with.
But the more I've thought about it, the more I realize it just wouldn't work. Something about the whole thing would just bother me. Now don't get me wrong. I have a ton of ideas (sane and otherwise) bouncing around in my head, and I'd wager that maybe 5-10 percent of my concepts are things that I have anything emotionally invested in. But in that group... there's some beautiful stuff. Life's dream "this is what I'd want to be remembered for when I die at the ripe age of 247 ("Take that, science!")" type of stuff. And for that, I just couldn't compromise.
It's one of the reasons that I figure that I'll never be a big Hollywood writer. I'm sure they have to bite the bullet on a regular basis. I've heard the stories where a TV series or a film ended up gnawed and prodded by its producers to the point where it was barely a shell of the show that it started out as and it makes me shudder. I wouldn't... couldn't do that to something I cared about.
So at best, I'd have to go the long route. I'd have to either establish myself with some unattached works or be financially stable enough that I can produce my own items. That way, no one can tell me what to do with my pure, precious concepts. Granted, I could probably use a little feedback here and there, but the do or die stuff stays in. That's how I feel about it.
Unless you have a half mil or so laying around. Then I just might be your word-whore. Just for one night.
...
I never said I was proud of myself.
... No, it's not a Redford in Indecent Proposal type of price. Because if that were involved in any way, I'd be sitting on some beach somewhere counting my money right now. I never said I'd be proud of myself.
In this particular case, the question was whether or not I'd be willing to sell out the intellectual rights on a story or characters that I had if the price was right. For some reason, the notion that I might be attached to the characters personally and emotionally was insane. There had to be some number, the guy surmised, at which my principle on the matter would simply fade away. I think I ended up settling at somewhere around half a million based mostly around A) my inability to believe that any idea I had would be valued at that high a price to anyone and B) the fact that I could always pull an end around, doctor some names and details, and reinvent the main focus of the concept later. Heck, I'd have a half a million to pull it off with.
But the more I've thought about it, the more I realize it just wouldn't work. Something about the whole thing would just bother me. Now don't get me wrong. I have a ton of ideas (sane and otherwise) bouncing around in my head, and I'd wager that maybe 5-10 percent of my concepts are things that I have anything emotionally invested in. But in that group... there's some beautiful stuff. Life's dream "this is what I'd want to be remembered for when I die at the ripe age of 247 ("Take that, science!")" type of stuff. And for that, I just couldn't compromise.
It's one of the reasons that I figure that I'll never be a big Hollywood writer. I'm sure they have to bite the bullet on a regular basis. I've heard the stories where a TV series or a film ended up gnawed and prodded by its producers to the point where it was barely a shell of the show that it started out as and it makes me shudder. I wouldn't... couldn't do that to something I cared about.
So at best, I'd have to go the long route. I'd have to either establish myself with some unattached works or be financially stable enough that I can produce my own items. That way, no one can tell me what to do with my pure, precious concepts. Granted, I could probably use a little feedback here and there, but the do or die stuff stays in. That's how I feel about it.
Unless you have a half mil or so laying around. Then I just might be your word-whore. Just for one night.
...
I never said I was proud of myself.
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