Thinking Outside of Pandora's Box

Sporadic Movement

2009-10-19T06:52:00.000-07:00

Well my blog has been sparse lately and will probably remain that way for a while. Putting the nose to the grindstone with my writing. Take care till the next episode!

Dyno-mite DVD

2009-10-15T14:12:00.001-07:00

Last night I watched a great movie. "Straight Time" starring Dustin Hoffman. I learned of this movie from an episode of the Word Balloon podcast featuring an interview with writer Ed Brubaker.

Hoffman plays Max Dembo, a just released ex-burglar trying to get back on his feet. Everything looks to be going great until his dimwitted friend played by Gary Busey gets him into trouble. Max loses hope and turns to his former profession.

I don't want to give too much away, so give this movie a spot on your netflix queue.

Read of the Week

2009-10-15T14:03:00.001-07:00

Criminal:Sinners #1 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips

After a pretty good wait Criminal is back with Tracy Lawless back at the forefront.

I love Criminal. From the great story to the fantastic art and colors, right down to the back content that has lead me to great crime movies.

This series focuses on a mystery surrounding major mob players getting executed one by one. Tracy's boss sticks him with the job of investigating the hits. It's looking to be an interesting series.

I just applied for the Italian Police

2009-10-13T13:49:00.000-07:00

Two officers of Italian police, left and right, and their Swiss colleague pose near a Lamborghini Gallardo of Italian traffic police 'Polizia stradale', which is told to be the world's fastest police car, at a highway rest area in Bellinzona, southern Switzerland, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009. The Lamborghini will be presented at an international police meeting in the Netherlands.

(AP Photo/Keystone/Karl Mathis)

ENJOY THE WEEKEND

2009-10-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

Be back Monday, going to enjoy the weekend to the fullest. Hope you all do too!

Reads of the Week

2009-10-08T00:55:00.001-07:00

Little late with this edition but just got to finish up my books tonight.

Green Lantern 46- Sinestro proves he's the ultimate bad ass. Johns continues his epic Blackest Night tale and it keeps getting better

G.I. Joe:Cobra Special

The G.I. Joe:Cobra Mini was my favorite of the three Joe titles. This special features tomax and xamot, the mirror twins in Cobra. The story is split in two feature the point if view of each twin. I would be fine if the Cobra book was the only Joe title.

Batman:Widening Gyre 2

I'm really liking Kevin Smith's Batman. Cacophony was a fun 3 issue series but this one is already becoming better.

Batman is getting help by a goat masked vigilante that seems to be able to give bats the slip. After thinking about all the kids he has trained he is intrigued in taking on an adult partner instead of jeopardizing another young life.

I really like the flash backs of him and the original Robin. Pick this up of you want some Bruce Wayne Batman.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2009-10-06T12:51:00.000-07:00

http://savethetatas.com/

http://rethinkbreastcancer.com/

Susan G. Komen for the Cure: http://ww5.komen.org/

Boobyball: http://boobyball.com/

Weekend Cinema: Zombieland

2009-10-04T05:44:00.001-07:00

Checked out Zombieland last night and boy what an expierence! It all started out with a row of snarky college kids sitting directly behind us. After filling them with some Holy Ghost, the movie starts with slow motion zombie chasing human scenes with Metallica's "For Whom the Bell tolls" blaring in the background.

The cast is pretty much perfect. Jesse Eisenberg plays the awkward 20 something with ease and is very funny. Woody Harrelson plays the dimwit badass with a passion for twinkies. Emma Stone plays the streetsmart sexy con artist along with Abigail Breslin as her sister partner in crime. Also noteworthy is Bill Murray's cameo as himself.

About midway through the movie we got a shock. An audience member began to violently shake and make what ironically sounded like zombie moans. After he continued to shake people realized he was having a siezure. The movie was stopped , the lights brought up and the paramedics tended to him and carried him out on a stretcher. Hope everything is ok with you pal.

The movie is fired back up and it didn't take long for the laughs to start back. This movie is enjoyable from start to finish. Would definetely see again. Go have fun and see it!

Have the Nineties returned?

2009-10-02T15:03:00.001-07:00

Almost fifteen years following their last self titled album, Alice and Chains have returned sans the late Layne Staley on vocals with "Black Gives Way to Blue". William DuVall from Comes with the Fall has filled the role singing mostly Harmonies with band backbone Jerry Cantrell.

The sound of this album has elements of classis spooky ol' Alice but some of the songs venture into new territory. On my initial listen, the title track that comes in at the rear is dedicated to Layne and has piano by Elton John. Coming in at about 3 minutes, it's gone before you know it. Just like Layne Staley.

My next listen is going to be Pearl Jam's new album, which I have heard is their best in years. Are the Nineties taking over the Eighties as the cool retro decade? We shall see.

Reads of the Week

2009-09-29T23:44:00.001-07:00

Superman: Secret Origins #1

Geoff Johns, check. Gary Frank, check. Superman at it's best, check. This book is fun and beautiful to look at. I expected this to be great and it is.

Spider Woman #1

I love Bendis and Maleev together! I'm just about finished on their Daredevil run and this book seems more like the Bendis I love. Hope it stays that way.

Since I liked so many books this week, I also want to throw in that the Old Man Logan conclusion was great also. Kinda like the Unforgiven with Superheros. Can't wait till my hardcover comes in where I can read all together at once. (Mark Millar book)

A Slip of the Tongue

2009-09-28T15:02:00.000-07:00

Celebrating F-bomb drops on national TV. SNL this weekend being all the buzz, also added a couple of my favs. Enjoy

MMS has landed on iphone

2009-09-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

My first MMS sent on iPhone.

Writing update

2009-09-24T01:39:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to getting some writing done over the next few days. Issue one of the project by Kenny Keil and I is a few pages from being in the can. Wanted to be finished by now but have been bogged down at the day job.

I also have two new ideas in the plotting stage and hope to work on those soon after I get a few issues done on the current project.

That's it for now, maybe I'll have more detailed info to give out in the next update.

Reads of the Week

2009-09-24T00:54:00.000-07:00

Blackest Night #3

If your not buying this book are you really a comic fan? Nuff said!

Punisher #9

Lot's of plot twists in this issue that I won't spoil. Rick Remender is killing it on this book.

Tales from the TiVo

2009-09-23T08:15:00.000-07:00

Current Season Passes

1. Sons Of Anarchy

2. Community

3. The Office

4. Dexter

5. Fringe

6. Heroes

7. House

8. Dollhouse

9. Glee

10. Entourage

11. Grey's Anatomy

Obama: The Newest Jedi Knight?

2009-09-21T12:28:00.001-07:00

President Obama was spotted wielding his custom blue light saber on the South lawn of the White house. I'm curious how often he uses his Jedi Mind tricks to push his policies through.

Spiritual Fruit

2009-09-21T11:42:00.001-07:00

A Buddha shaped pear is displayed at an orchard in Weixian county, Hebei province September 10, 2009. Hao Xianzhang, a local famer, spent six years to perfect the process by growing the pears inside moulds, local media reported. The pears cost around 50 yuan (7.32 USD) each. Picture taken September 10, 2009.

REUTERS/Pillar Lee (CHINA AGRICULTURE RELIGION)

2010 Itenerary:Part One

2009-09-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

Chicago- Will be headed to the Windy City in Early Summer for a Series of Cubs baseball at Wrigley

San Diego- Once again I'll be headed to Cali for the San Diego Comic-con International. July 21-25th

Twitter: The Sucessful Big Brother of Social Networking?

2009-09-18T06:58:00.000-07:00

Well it seems that Facebook is taking their favorite features from their rival Twitter. Facebook has implemented the @ tag popularized by Twitter. They also launched a lite edition more along the lines of Twitter. It's quite obvious facebook has a hard on for , you guessed it TWITTER!

You Tube has also jumped on the bandwagon with trending topics.what's next 1 min 40 second videos!

Do these other platforms want to be Twitter when they grow up? It looks to be that way.

Read of the Week

2009-09-16T04:50:00.001-07:00

This week's pick is The Unwritten from Vertigo. Written by Mike Carey and art by Peter Gross. This story strays from the Tommy Taylor story and follows Rudyard Kipling's story of working for the Mysterious group that have literary figures doing their bidding and in return do favors for them. Appearances by Mark Twain and Oscar Wilde really take the book's cool factor over the top. I highly reccomend this issue, the whole series for that matter.

iPhone MMS Shows Up Early

2009-09-15T08:10:00.001-07:00

Looks like some of us iPhone users are getting the early bird special. Of course I'm not one of them yet!

iPhone MMS Shows Up Early

Posted using ShareThis

Super Hero Loungeware:Aquaman Edition

2009-09-13T16:46:00.000-07:00

It's that time again!

2009-09-11T22:17:00.000-07:00

Headed out to Baton Rouge in the morning for LSU's first home game of the year. More later, Now Sleep!

Beware Keyboard Cat!

2009-09-10T04:00:00.001-07:00

I have unleashed my weapon of mass destruction!

Mutant Mudbug Madness!

2009-09-09T18:12:00.000-07:00

Us Louisianans love our crawfish,so we have created the ultimate eating experience! Who needs Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Solar Panels!

Must Buy Item:Marvel's Strange Tales # 1

2009-09-08T02:08:00.001-07:00

Marvel's Strange Tales is a 3-part anthology series starring their characters in alternative situations. All written and drawn by top Indie Creators. Some may turn their nose up at the $4.99 cover price, but the trade is already available for preorder for 20 bucks. So save yourself 5 bucks and pick up the single issues. No ads! The First one is a treat!

Where Else can you find The Inhumans by Paul Pope, Dr. Strange vs. Nightmare by Dash Shaw, The Punisher by Johnny Ryan, Namor "Fed up with the Man" by M.Kupperman and much more! Love the Perry Bible Fellowship pages.

One of them Zombie Days

2009-09-08T01:54:00.000-07:00

I worked twelve hours Sunday night, getting off at 7am. My intentions were to come home, grab a four hour nap and get up so I could sleep tonight as I have to work Tuesday morning at 7am. Well that didn't happen. I slept all day and now I will pay the consequences of working a twelve hour shift after being up all night too. Just brewed a tall cup of coffee to delay my transformation into the walking dead. Bed will come early ton..........Braaaaiiiins, Braaaaaiiiiiinnnnss!

Reads of the Week

2009-09-06T23:12:00.000-07:00

Fantastic Four 570

I have to say my knowledge of Fantastic Four is slim to none. The Millar/Hitch Run is the longest run of FF I've read. After that run I wasn't sure if I was gonna keep picking up the book. I'm loving what Jonathan Hickman is doing with Nick Fury and the Secret Warriors so I gave this first issue a shot. Amazing, he's bringing this book back to the core. Dale Eaglesham's art is also giving the book justice. I followed his and Geoff Johns' entire run on Justice Society, but he has definitely kicked it up a notch. If you are looking for a fun monthly book with an excellant jumping on point, pick up a copy of FF 570

The Noboby by Jeff Lemire

Being a big fan of Lemire's work I figured I would like this automatically and I was right. He really knows his small towns and I'm liking the addition of blue to the scale. Got this book signed and sketched at SDCC this year and it makes a really great addition to my bookshelf. Pick it up! Just great cover to cover.

The next thing on the tree for Apple: A comic fan's dream?

2009-09-03T16:25:00.001-07:00

Looks like the next thing from Apple is going to be a tablet device with iPhone/iPod touch like features. This would be a great device for digital comics as you could have full page size and could download your fav comics the day they release and never leave the house. The only downside I see is probably going to be the price point.I think it's being pushed as the inbetween of the iPhone/iPod touch and MacBook which could put it around 700-900 bucks. I must say this is on my tech radar and will be following news on it.

If you own this there's no hope left, You are one lost Geek!

2009-09-01T22:49:00.000-07:00

Lost American Icons Part Two:The 'Stache

2009-09-01T02:58:00.000-07:00

The thick Moustache was worn proudly through the 70's and 80's. Will
it ever make a comeback? Until then RIP thick 'stache , we hardly knew
ye.

A New Era:Disney Aquires Marvel Comics

2009-08-31T11:39:00.001-07:00

Disney Aquires Marvel Comics for 4 billion dollars. Buyouts these days are inevitable. When I started working at my current employer it was a smaller company. We were bought out by a world wide company and things do change, but you have to keep on trucking. Marvel now has more money behind it. I'm curious to see how this will effect the Marvel Studios Movies. They were kinda skimping on salaries with some of the Actors. Also we will surely see Spidey, Hulk, Captain America and Wolvie at Disney World now and of course Marvel themed rides. Hydro-Man Mountain, Mysterio's Haunted Mansion, EPCOT:ASTROID M. I'm hoping this pushes Marvel to a new frontier but of course we will have to see.

New Rules for the 21st Century

2009-08-31T02:47:00.000-07:00

In a Recent Issue of Wired Magazine they list New Rules for Social Media that I found Interesting

1.If your call drops call back

2.Texting is ok while in the company of others

3.If you bought it, you can rip it

4.Provide subjects for all emails

5.Don't Google stalk before a first date

6.If you can't find buy it online feel free to bittorent

7.Never broadcast your relationship status

8.Don't Lie with your Facebook photo

9."Shuffle" is not a cocktail party playlist

10.Balance your media diet

11.No more than 20 tweets in 24 hours

12.Online Conversations are not all about you

13.Don't use a photo of your child as your profile pic

14.Friend your boss but not your boss's boss. Follow them both on twitter

15.Ignore your Ex on Facebook

16.Don't send e-cards

17.Ditch the headset

18.Put on your costume at the Con

19.Don't Blog or tweet anything that has more than half a million hits.

20.Never BCC Anyone

21.Delete unwanted posts from your Facebook wall

22.Hunger and Fatigue are not interesting status updates

23.Leave your Wi-Fi open

24.Seek out Coworkers on Facebook

25.The Driver controls the Ipod

26.Break up privately before you break up in public

27.Be mindful of your personal space

28.Ignore Facebook polls

29.Never apologize for a lame tweet or blog post

30.Don't Work all the time.You'll live to regret it

31.Wearing Headphones means "Do not disturb".

32.Never unfollow someone just because they unfollowed you

10 Years Gone- Remembering Woodstock '99 Road Trip

2009-08-30T16:58:00.000-07:00

I remember when Woodstock 99 was announced. I was so excited about all these bands and how awesome this could be. My two best friends and I immediately purchased the 150 dollar tickets and began planning a massive two week road trip that we would never forget.

On the way we hit up camping at Mammoth Caves National Park in Kentucky. Beats the hell outta paying for a hotel. We set up our tent by a river branch and that's where we spent our first night off of the road.

Next stop we hit was Paramount's King Island in Cincinnati, OH. Here we relieved some tension riding the likes of The Top Gun, Face Off and the Beast.

Cleveland, OH would be the next stop. We checked out Jacob's Field and alot of downtown. Unfortunately for us The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was closed due to a concert going on that night. Really wanted to check that out.

So we finally make our way to the former Griffis Air Force Base in Rome, NY. The site was surrounded by a high plywood and steel fence with many different hand painted designs. This with the five hundred state troopers were intended to keep out ticket less intruders.

The first day was spent setting up our tent in What seemed like miles and miles of them. We always had an adventure trying to find it every night around 3 am. We also checked out a few lesser known bands playing that day. The boiling heat would make sure we were up early for the next day.

James Brown Kicked off the event with his amazing band. The following acts appeared at the event

Alanis Morissette, Big Sugar, Bruce Hornsby, Buckcherry, Bush, The Chemical Brothers, Collective Soul, Creed featuring Robby Krieger, Dave Matthews Band, DMX, Elvis Costello, Everclear, Everlast, Fatboy Slim, G.Love and Special Sauce, George Clinton and The P.Funk All-Stars, Godsmack, Guster, Ice Cube, Insane Clown Posse, Jamiroquai, Jewel, John Entwistle, Kid Rock, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Lit, Live, Megadeth, Metallica, Micky Hart/Planet Drum, Mike Ness, Moby, The Offspring, Oleander, Our Lady Peace, Rage against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Roots, Rusted Root, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Sevendust, Sheryl Crow, The Tragically Hip, Willie Nelson and Wyclef Jean with the Refugee All Stars.

As you can see something for everyone. What wasn't for everyone were the exorbitant prices for food. Small personal pizzas were twelve dollars, 20 ounce sodas and water four dollars. The number of Toilets did not total enough for the number attending and became unusable in a short time. The water fountains were destroyed until water was constantly flowing which caused the ground to become muddy. There were reports of Rape and violence but I witnessed none first hand. In fact I didn't see much of the fires and destruction until leaving the event, Vendors were robbed and People were throwing people shirts as they left. A car was turned over in front of the gate. The thirtieth anniversary of the original event promoting peace ended up like a revolution of a small country.

Being there for the music myself, I had a great experience. The event will go down in history for the violence and rage. With over 200,000 attendees I'm sure there are plenty others that had an overall great experience. We finished out the trip with New York City, Baltimore and a great tourist stop in Washington D.C. where we looked at all the usual fare. When I returned I also had orange hair but that's another story. There haven't been any Woodstock Anniversary events since this one and it's a shame. The moral of this story is don't be an idiot and ruin something for everyone else.

Lost American Icons Part One: The Cigarette pack in Rolled up T-shirt Sleeve

2009-08-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

Before Cargo Shorts there was the all purpose White T-Shirt sleeve roll up. You knew he was cool because he wore it on his sleeve. RIP Cigarette rolled up sleeve. You are truly missed

In honor of the town of Arcadia, LA finally getting a Burger King

2009-08-29T06:35:00.000-07:00

For the cute lil sorceress in your family!

2009-08-28T01:22:00.000-07:00

On a steel horse I ride......

2009-08-28T00:40:00.000-07:00

I remember well when I was a kid going "riding" as my parents called it. Making a loop in the country with them hearing the latest ZZ top album and simply having a good time. On one of these adventures my dad turned down a little dirt road known by the locals as "Burner Hill". At the end of this road was a what looked to be mile high to me, oil pump. We pull over and get out and stretch our legs and my Dad starts toward the iron giant. Against my mom's good judgement, he ventures up the ladder leading up to the top of the teetering pump. Then what follows became seared into my young mind. He climbs on and rides the oil pump. I'm a mix of emotions that include fear and envy.My Dad was the Hero of the Day.

Flash Forward some years and we are coming down the same road. We get out and I look up at the giant steel beast. My Dad looks over at me and says to me "give it a shot". Of course I'm once again mixed with fear and the need to tame this animal. So I slowly climb the ladder, each rung bringing a feeling of liberation. When i get to the top I throw my leg over the rocking section. The feeling that came that day riding an oil pump of all things was so great. If your ever riding down an old road and come upon one, don't think twice. Jump on. I promise you'll never forget it....

Droppin a blog on y'all!

2009-08-28T00:11:00.000-07:00

Well after getting into twitter I have decided to break outta the 140 character restriction and get medievel on your asses. Weird, zany, downright proposterous, and hopefully inspirational things coming your way on a daily basis(don't hold your breath, no money back guarentees on this) So tighten your chinstrap and brace yourself. It's all downhill from here!