I'm really not supposed to drink beer, at least not often or a lot. I have a gluten allergy, which can act up at times. The hops, malt, barley and sometimes wheat used in the production of beer can play havoc with my system. Still I've always been a beer lover and have found that if I'm really careful keeping other glutenous articles out of my daily diet I can cheat every so often.

Anyway, there was a regional beer festival this past weekend, so me and long-time buddy Gerry decided that we'd be 'real men' and check it out. :-)

What a great time Gerry and I had on Saturday night! We actually found the place where the event was being held with little problem, but almost got wiped out by bicycles on the way there!

We were on a main highway, before turning off to the local roads, when a car started to pass me on the left. I saw the car coming up and suddenly heard this crashing sound. Looking behind Gerry and I saw two of the four bikes the guy had strapped to his roof go flying off and hit the car behind him. The car behind that one swerved over to the right
sideswiping the car immediately behind me! You can imagine the chaos in the rearview mirror. :-(

To say we were lucky is an understatement.

The festival itself was a lot of fun, with over thirty brewers & brewpubs taking part. There were about 100 different beers on tap (or from bottles) from all over New England and the Eastern Seaboard. The only 'mass produced' beer was Saranac, a small but old brewery from New York. It seemed like I tried at least half of what was available, but probably not since both Gerry and I were still standing after three hours. :-)

Among the brewers and brewpubs taking part were Buzzard's Bay, Dogfish Head, Sea Dog, Red Hook, Smuttynose, Flying Dog, Allagash, Brooklyn Brewery, Magic Hat, Otter Creek and Bru Rm (a nice brew pub in nearby New Haven). Even if some of the beers weren't all that great, you have to give the folks points for some of the names and labels. :-)

Even though the even is over you might want to check out Mountview Plaza site to get links to some of the brewers and see where else they might be showing up. Mountview has beer events coming up in September and November, so if you are in the New England area you might want to swing by.

Later, we wisely decided to grab some food at the restaurant (the event was held behind the country club in Naugatuck, CT at a public golf course) before leaving so we (actually me, since I was driving) was sober enough to get on the road safely. Since we had to head back on back roads (it was shorter than backtracking to the highways) I wanted to be in fairly decent shape, as it was around 10:00pm.

Still I almost did get us killed, because I had hit the heat since the temp had gone done. The inner windows immediately fogged up and I was crouched down trying to look through an unfogged two inch gap at the bottom of the windshield. Fortunately, I was able to get over on the shoulder without incident. *sigh*

The New York Times reviewer calls up refercences to Achilles, in discussing the soon to be released HULK movie. A powerful, yet tragic and ultimately doomed hero. Numerous other reviewers call up all sorts of biblical references (both Old & new testament) when talking about MATRIX RELOADED. Can we just have somebody talk about a film on it's cinematic merits, or lack thereof?

It reminds me of the several classes on 'cinema' I took as an Undergrad. I loved going to the movies themselves, but found the mandatory dissection of each one later to be almost painful.

Sometimes you sit around for a few weeks, never really doing anything. Suddenly you feel like a real 'social butterfly.'

This weekend, while Donna heads into Brooklyn to be with her daughter and family, for a bridal shower, I'm heading off to Naugatuck, CT for a beer festival, with my best friend (and a guy I've know since we were in sixth grade together), Gerry. Naturally, I also get an invite from my ex (Hey, Elayne!) to hit our old favorite street fair in Manhattan. Back when we were together I don't think we ever missed the annual Ninth Ave. Food Festival. Hell, if I remember right we actually went both days one year. :-)

I'll fill you in on the beer fest on Monday, but if you are into homebrewing or just like to try something different in beer, you might want to try the Brewing News site. Links to information and events that any beer lover will be happy to Bookmark.

It seems that no matter where you live somebody makes the remark, "If you don't like the weather here, just wait a minute." I"ve lived in Colorado, Connecticut, New York, plus several other states while in the service. The only place you don't is in Southern California.

Anyway, today is one of 'those days' here in Connecticut. It was perfectly sunny and hot this afternoon, but it has become overcast, windy and feels like rain tonight. Sadly, I really did hope to catch the lunar eclipse, but what can you do?

Okay, so we're getting ready to shoot looters in Iraq. We haven't found any evidence of those "WMD" that this was supposed to be about. We are threatening Syria and Iran, but 'negotiating' with the one country which definetly does have a wacko with nukes. Our good buddies in Saudi Arabia can't seem to help us with their home grown terrorists, but the Administration says not to worry they really are.

The economy is continuing to go downhill, Congress is doing everything they can to help George II grow the debt into crippling amounts, but he is still able to beat any known Democrat in the various polls. Where are these supporters? Folks I talk to seem in agreement that he's a jerk and still wonder why we had to send the troops over to be killed.

Sorry, the doctor has me on medication for an inner ear infection, as well as for a minor sinus infection. I have been having dizzy spells and feel like I'd rather be sleeping than nursemaiding college students, most of whom don't seem to know things I knew back in grade school.

Thanks folks and drive safely!

With all the events currently going on around the world. The failure of the Administration to seriously do anything about the reconstruction of Iraq, except to hand out multi-million dollar contracts to supporters; the inability of the U.S. supported (and installed) government in Afghanistan to build support or gain a foothold outside the capital; the continuing downturn in the economy, etc. The major print media in this country finds itself focused on a single reporter for the NY Times and his obvious lies, misquotes and other reporting failures.

I have to admit to a morbid fascination with the whole matter, since the Times has always prided itself on being credible. I personally doubt any heads will role over at the newspaper, but it is run to see them trying to cover their butts.

Yesterday was Mother's Day, one of those days to which one normally one gives only a little thought. Maybe you buy a card, send some flowers, or take your mother out to lunch or dinner. If you happen to be miles away, perhaps you pick up the phone and give her a call. I couldn't do any of those things yesterday.

Last year on Mother's Day I spent it, with my two sisters, visiting our mom in her nursing home. Only a few weeks before my mother had been out driving around and enjoying herself. The next day she woke up with sharp pains in her chest. It was discovered that a clot had formed in one leg and breaking loose had traveled to her lungs. Sadly, when they began to test her further they found that cancer, which she had seemingly beaten years before had returned. Almost one week after that Mother's Day visit, my sisters and I were standing before my mother's grave, saying goodbye for the last time.

This past weekend was what some would call 'an emotional roller-coaster.' On Saturday, Donna and I went to a wedding for one of her co-workers. While nobody was thrilled by either the food or the service at the reception hall, everyone seemed to be having a good time. On Sunday I gave Donna her card and later we went out shopping, for a new gown for our up-coming cruise in September. We grabbed a quick lunch at Subway, then caught ANGER MANAGEMENT, which was pretty good. The evening ended with take-out Chinese food and some dessert from Carvels.

During both days I would occasionally think of my mother and all the things which had happened the past year. Things which she had missed and which I'm sure she would have had something to say.

This coming Saturday (5/17) is the day my mom passed away. I'll be spending that day, at least part of it, back in my hometown of Norwich, CT. I'm going to be bringing flowers to place on my parents grave and spend a few minutes 'catching up.' Later my best friend Gerry and I will be driving to Naugatuck, CT for a beer festival. We will take a moment before that first brew to toast my mother and father. I think both of them would have approved.

Only a few things to say this time out.

Firstly, got back my first review for Joe Bob, with a few editorial changes. To be honest, I feel pretty good since the review still 'reads' like my writing and not all that different from the draft I posted here. Some things were cut out, which were unimportant and I'd actually forgotten to give a 'star' rating. As soon as it is actually up on the site I'll let you know.

Well, don't know about you but for me "Free Comics Day" was a letdown. The local shop only had a half dozen freebies, and none from the major companies. I'd been looking forward to the BATMAN comics and was surprised, since the film debuted that weekend, that the shop didn't have any of the ULTIMATE X-MEN comics to give out. Real lost opportunity.

I did get four of the six give-aways and will have more to say after I read them.

While I'm talking about comics....

I was disappointed in the latest issue of BATGIRL. The new art is UGLY, with Batman especially badly drawn, it was also hard to follow the art. Likewise, the writing seemed to be disjointed or maybe it was the editing. Whichever it really seemed to jump around and the story difficult to follow. I had been looking for books to cut from my buy list and I think this is one of them.

I'm also only going to give BIRDS OF PREY one more issue, to finish up the 'Felix Faust' storyline. Just when I was beginning to warm to many of the Bat Family titles they are declining in quality (at least IMHO).

ROBIN remains a favorite, so I'm going to keep buying that title. It remains to be seen if I'm going to keep getting all three of the major BATMAN books (BATMAN, DETECTIVE, GOTHAM KNIGHTS). I think that resurecting the Joker as a major protagonist in both BATMAN & DETECTIVE, at the same time (but in unrelated stories) may have been a mistake. In one book, the character is locked up while in the other he's running around with Harley Quinn. Perhaps some editorial decision should have been made to put some time between the storylines. I feel bad saying this, since I'm really enjoying both plots.

If JLA doesn't keep my interest over the current three issue "White Rage" story line it will also be cut from my buy list. I'm getting enjoyable super-heroics from JSA, GREEN ARROW, HAWKMAN & AQUAMAN, to name a few. Speaking of DC, I can't believe that I'm reading the current GA/GREEN LANTERN x-over. I've actually become fond of Kyle! That's scary!

For the most part I'm still enjoying POWER COMPANY, but Manhunter could easily take a walk and I wouldn't miss him. There's enough interesting characterization in the rest of the team.

In case anybody cares, Donna and I thought the Lucy & Desi bio-pic the other night was okay. We both preferred the earlier Jackie Gleason one with Brad Garrett and the Martin & Lewis TV-movie with Sean Hayes. Sure, they aren't 100% accurate, but if done well can still be fun.

I absolutely loved X-MEN 2, which I caught yesterday at a matinee. Even at 12:30pm on a Friday afternoon the place was 3/4 full, plus there was another screen showing the film beginning at 1:00pm. I've read on some sites earlier that the film is already going to be a major box-office smash for opening weekends. I think good reviews and word of mouth will keep the films in theaters for a while.

As Hugh Jackman mentioned in an interview I heard this past week, they were able to get right into the action since so much had already been introduced in the first film. Of course, it probably would be hard for anyone unfamiliar with the mythos (even from the initial film) to understand who all these folks were, but there is some brief attempt at explanation early on.

I'm not going to give a lot away, but there were a few surprises (at least to someone like me who hasn't read a dozen message board postings giving everything away) that delighted folks familiar with the comics. Several mutants make there first appearance in this film, one of them only in his 'civilian' identity. When the other two revealed their powers (and thereby who they were) there was applause and cheers from those 'in the know.'

Hugh Jackman, as Logan/Wolverine is clearly the main focus and hero of this film, just as he was in the second. All the others seem to be 'guest stars' in his movie. Moreso here, than even in the first, Jackman has the character down and turns in a great performance. Clearly the character could spin-off into solo films, but only with Jackman in the role.

Alan Cumming, almost unrecognizable under all the makeup, is quite good as Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler. He brings just the right amount of pathos, innocense and humor to the role. The FX folks do an excellant job with his teleportation power, the only quibble is that no body seems to mention the smell of sulpher (I believe) that he leaves behind. Of course, that's something I remember from when I was reading the series, so that may have been written out or just not mentioned any more.

Bobby Drake/Iceman gets an extended part this time around and I couldn't be happier. His relationship with Rogue developing pretty well and the small demonstrations of his powers hint that he'll probably have a larger part in the planned sequels.

I've read that Hallie Berry may not be returning, but since she really doesn't seem to be adding much to the mix (not for lack of trying, but the script really doesn't give her much to work with), it will probably not be hard to fit somebody else for the white wig and contacts.

The main villain of the film, General Stryker, really isn't much more than a second-rate military type. We've seen his equal in hundreds of movies and twice that many television shows. It's the mutants we came to see and in the end we won't miss Stryker.

While Patrick Stewart is a good actor and plays Prof X as well as anyone could, Ian McKellan as Magneto is far more interesting. In this film it's easy to see that he can manipulate people, just as easily as he can metal. The means of his escape from his metal-free cell is creepy, but so in character.

The theatre in which I caught the movie had a number of trailers (long one of my favorite parts of the theatre-going experience), among them being ones for MATRIX RELOADED & LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN. The second Matrix film looks quite good and easily as jammed with killer FX as the original. LoEG looks to be absolutely amazing, even with the changes they have made to Alan Moore's creation. I suppose it makes sense, in Hollywood logic, to bring in a younger man as the lead action hero. I really have no problem with him being a slightly older Tom Sawyer, who was turned into a detective by Twain anyway.

The rest of the summer looks to be a good one for both comics fans and folks who just like action/adventure.

Here's the second review that I've done for the Joe Bob website. I'm still waiting to see the first posted, but the books are piling up and if I ever want to read anything BUT the review books I better not wait.

I may make a few changes before I submit this, but I'm pretty satisfied with the review as it now stands.

***************************************
With a Vengeance by Eileen Dreyer; published by St. Martin’s Press

Face it, everybody has a ‘List’, whether you call it that or not. There are just some folks who piss you off so much that you’d like to see them put up against a wall and shot. You may not put it down on paper, but somewhere in the back of you mind you probably add at least one person to that list every week. Maybe you and some co-workers, or some friends, even share a list. The boss is probably there, plus a particularly annoying salesperson or the guy who ‘fixes’ the photocopier which breaks down within an hour of his visit.

Now suppose there are a group of folks who not only have such a list, but actually go and do something about it. Their list doesn’t include just folks who are annoying, but folks who are dangerous. Rapists, child molesters, wife beaters and a whole range of people that the world would not miss and might actually be better off without.

Dreyer introduces us to Maggie O’Brien, trauma nurse and medic on a SWAT team. Maggie is the daughter of a former policeman, who was ‘retired’ from the force when he took the rap for a junior officer guilty of police brutality. Much to the disgust of her father, Maggie is not following in his footsteps. She not only does not become a police officer, but even now that she is a member of SWAT, she refuses to carry a gun.

Maggie knows about The List, which is scribbled on the break room in the hospital in which she works. Not only that, but Maggie herself has written more than a few names herself. It’s only when she witnesses the death of a homeless man, whom she has befriended, that she begins to suspect that some folks around her are taking The List a bit more seriously than she does.

Dreyer, herself a forensic nurse, creates in Maggie a believable and troubled woman. Taught, from childhood, to believe in justice, Maggie finds that those whom she has considered her friends may have a very, different idea of how justice can be achieved.

**********************
I have a feeling that I probably should have made this review longer, but I don't want to pad the thing.

If I've done it correctly you'll find a new link to the Mystic Seaport over on the righthand side of this Blog. Having been raised less than a 45 minute drive from the place, the Mystic area is familiar and one of the best places to spend a peaceful Spring/Summer/Fall day. The Seaport itself, part museum & part working marina, is only part of the things available in the area.

From downtown Mystic itself, with it's restaurants (including the famous Mystic Pizza), crafts & antique shops and book stores, to the Mystic Aquarium, on the other end of the seaport, with the delightful Old Mystic Village (a group of shops featuring nautical and colonial crafts and merchandise).

When I was a kid it was just a thrill to look at the old ships and wander the winding streets. Today the area has become a tourist stop along the cost, either on the way to or from the two Native American casinos.

The Mystic Seaport museum & library are doing some amazing things to preserve the culture of the area and of the New England maritime heritage. I'd be remiss in not pointing it out to you, since it's one of the reasons that I'll always consider myself a Connecticut Yankee, no matter where I live.

The New York Times on-line Travel section has this article on taking the family to Las Vegas. This sought of ties in with the previous article I mentioned on Treasure Island casino closing down their great, pirate show.

While I don't agree with everything that the writer has to say about Vegas, I do think that the city really is trying to reach out beyond the regular gamblers and entice families to take a chance.

Just read about this story over on Mark Evanier's website. I had a couple of immediate reactions and wanted to get them down.

I think the move is a shame and might come back to bite the owners of Treasure Island. If you haven't seen the Pirate show you really have missed quite a performance. Two scale model ships, one a pirate vessel the other a British man-of-war, actually do battle with cannons in the small moat that fronts the casino. I can't imagine that the casino loses money on this show, even though I'm sure it is expensive. The crowds that show up for every performance are not only comprised of casino guests, but also folks staying at other casinos. While I doubt that everyone in attendance immediately goes inside, I'm sure that more than enough do so at some point during their stay in Vegas to more than make up for whatever it costs.

Also, the show is one of those things that can truly be enjoyed by the 'whole family'. To replace it with something 'sexier' seems short-sighted, IMHO. Just about everyone you speak to who has been to Vegas tries to see the show or has seen it. Folks recommend it to each other as a 'must-see' event.

I've seen the show twice over the years. First with my ex-wife (and fellow Blogger) Elayne, and just a few months ago with my current wife, Donna, my step-daughter, Kristina, plus several of Donna's family. Half of us had seen it before and it was new to the rest. It's sad to think that it won't be there next time we visit, and just might make the difference in our staying at another hotel, rather than at Treasure Island, as we did this past time.

Well, I thought you folks might be interested in the final draft of my first review for the Joe Bob Briggs site. I may make a couple of changes, but this is basically what I'm going to be sending in.

By the way, I just received two more books to review in yesterday's post. I'm only a month into this and already have three books waiting to be reviewed. Now I remember what it was like the last time I tried this. :-)

Let me know what you think!

Bay of Souls – by Robert Stone: Published by Houghton Mifflin
Reviewed by Steve Chaput

A couple of years ago Richard Dreyfus starred in a short-lived television show called THE EDUCATION OF MAX BICKFORD. Dreyfus played Bickford, an aging college professor at a small, New England college. Fairly comfortable in his academic position, Bickford still felt unfulfilled emotionally and found that he had lost touch with the faith in which he had been raised, which in Bickford’s case was Jewish.

Imagine now Russell Crowe in the Dreyfus role and his college transplanted to the Midwest, or as he refers to it at one point “Flyover land.” In Stone’s novel, the professor’s name is Michael Ahearn and the faith from which he feels estranged is Catholicism. Ahearn feels a growing emptiness inside, as well as a growing alienation from his wife and son. Even the near death by overexposure of his son doesn’t bring them closer, rather just the opposite.

The only things that Michael seems to enjoy are drinking and hunting with some fellow academics. Even at those points the pleasure is mixed as Ahearn often doesn’t even fire his rifle, allowing the others to kill any deer or other prey.

One day into Michael’s life steps Lara Purcell, a new political science professor with a mysterious past. It’s not long before Michael and Lara are lovers, but there is more to Lara’s past than simply an absent husband. Lara and her late brother were not only involved in espionage, but also drug smuggling and voodoo. In fact, Lara believes that her brother had given her soul away to a voodoo priestess when she was a child. Now that he is dead she wants to get it back.

Stone may be best known for his novel DOG SOLDIERS, which was turned into the film WHO’LL STOP THE RAIN with Nick Nolte. As in that novel, Stone allows his protagonist to be drawn into a situation that not only places his life in danger, but also forces him to learn things about himself that he may not have wanted to know.

To be honest, I don’t think that Stone successfully brings any of these characters to life. They certainly don’t speak in a manner that anyone would normally. Sadly, the book never reads like anything more than a morality play, which the author would like to see brought to the screen by the addition of some exotic locales and a couple of action sequences.

Stone, reminiscent of Peter Benchley in his early novels, is at his best in those few action scenes. In those sections, especially those chapters dealing with a night dive to recover lost property in a downed airplane, it is easy to see why the author does have a loyal following.

Overall, the story doesn’t hold up and the entire thing reads like the draft of a longer novel, which Stone didn’t have time to complete before his deadline.

*****
Now that wasn't so bad, was it?

Just a couple of quick notes while I have the time and they are fresh in my mind.

I've discovered that I'm not a Robert Stone fan. The first third of the novel BAY OF SOULS appears to be set up for the second section, which I'm hoping it easier to wade through. I'm trying to overlook the fact that the protagonist is a total whiner who appears almost resentful that his son has survived a near fatal case of overexposure in a storm, but it isn't making it easy to care about anything he does. Also, Stone appears to be one of those writers who write dialogue as if the characters KNOW they are characters. Real folks DO NOT talk like this, even it they are supposed to be college professors. Hey, I'm here in academia and the professors I sit around with seem quite capable of speaking the way everybody else does. On top of that, it's hard not to ignore a comment in one of the interviews with Stone that was sent in the press package, in which he actually calls HIMSELF a 'writers writer!' Pardon my ego!

Oh, and I was surprised to discover a second package from the Joe Bob folks last night when I got home, with yet another book. This one appears to be a 'medical thriller', which may be a bit easier to take. I'll keep you all updated.

Wasn't sure how to take this, so I thought I'd just report that I read an article today which said that the folks who recent purchased THE NASHVILLE NETWORK and decided to change the name and format have discovered both their ratings and ad revenue in steep decline. Appears there were more Country fans out there than the boys in New York had thought. The plan now is to change the name and format again.

The network will soon be known as SPIKE, which will be promoted as a 'man's network'. Apparently, the various sports networks and cable stations directed at hunting & fishing fans are not manly enough for the Madison Avenue folks. I would almost think that this was a joke, but then I'm not a highly paid consultant on this type of thing. :-)

Btw, it was over 80 degrees today and the weather folks are predicting a drop of 30+ degrees overnight. What the hell happened to Spring?

As things stand today we are going to book a cruise with Celebrity Cruiselines for Bermuda. We just haven't decided on a set date yet, although it will probably be sometimes in mid to late September. We're figuring that not only do the rates go down, but the cruise itself is likely to be relatively kid-free, since school will have started for just about everyone at that point.

Hey, don't get me wrong! We like kids (Donna even has a daughter!), but we'd like to spend our 7-days pretty much away from the rug rats.

After several hitches in the U.S. Navy you might think that I'd rather not find myself at sea again, but to be honest I actually loved those parts of each deployment where we'd be mid-Atlantic or cruising the coast. As peaceful as it can be sitting on the beach and watching the waves, the feeling of being completely out of sight of land, surrounded by the ocean is unbelievable. The skies at night are so full of stars that you can't compare them to even the clearest night that you've ever spent on land. (Okay, I will admit that there were occasions in California & Colorado where the night skies could be fantastic. Those had to be spent outside the city limits, either in the Rockies or in the desert.)

The first 'commercial' cruise I ever took was on Carnival Cruiseline which was introducing it's newest ship the Triumph with four to five night cruises to Nova Scotia, out of New York City. Donna, who had sailed before convinced me that it would be fun so we booked a four night cruise to Halifax. Just about everyone that I'd talked to, both before and after we confirmed, said that once you'd cruised you would immediately start planning your next. Well, it might not be true of everyone, but for Donna and myself it certainly was.

I'll probably have more to add on this tomorrow, so I'll leave it at that for now.

I'll probably have more to add on this particular topic later, but Donna and I have been spending way too many hours trying to plan our next vacation. It's actually funny, since we plan various trips to places like California or Florida and then convince ourselves that we'd have a better time at less expense by taking a cruise. At this point, with several cruises behind us you'd think we'd just be honest and stick to cruising. :-)

Things are still in flux, but I'll have a few things to say about cruising in general and the particular cruises we've taken together in the next few days.

As far as the war goes, why are we bothering bringing any ships or troops home, since the Administration seems more than ready to send us into Syria at any moment. It's only the beginning folks, only the beginning!

Don't bother asking what I've been up to, since it really hasn't been important enough to mention. Chalk it up to my famous procrastination and leave it at that. :-)

Some of you who may remember my mentioning that I would soon be doing book reviews for Joe Bob Briggs' website. I just received the first book this past Saturday and will begin reading it in the next day or two. Naturally the book arrives when I'm in the middle of two books, plus listening to a third on audiotape. I'm going to put the other two books aside for the time being and but I figure I can keep track of the audiobook easily enough.

For anyone interested the two books are HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, which I've had for a couple of years, but have never gotten around to reading. Figured with the five novel due this summer it might be good to be up to date. The second book is Jack Finney's FROM TIME TO TIME which is a sequel to his fantastic TIME AND AGAIN. If you like stories of time travel, especially when they deal with the ramifications of changing the past to effect the future, you can't do much better than Finney's two novels. Finally, the audiobook is an unabridged reading of Max Allen Collins' MAJIC MAN. Collins is one of my favorite writers, whether it is his Nat Heller mysteries, his numerous movie adapations or his all too few comicbook works.

Just to let you know, the book I'll be reviewing for Joe Bob is author Robert Stone's latest novel, BAY OF SOULS. Not exactly what I had expected from being in the 'thriller' group, but I'm certainly willing to give it a try. I was especially surprised to find a 'press package' included along with the review copy. It has about a dozen reviews, interviews and articles on Stone's previous books, as well as a couple of reviews by the NY Times of BAY OF SOULS. I don't think I've had this much material pertaining to a book I've yet to read, since I was back in college. I'm going to try not to be prejudge the work, from the other reviews. In future, I think I'll hold off on reading those until I've had a chance to read the book itself.

I'll keep you abreast of my opinions of the book, as well as passing along a first draft of my review once it's finished.

Okay, so remember a month ago when we jumped the deadline and bombed Baghdad, and thought we killed Saddam. Well, we were wrong, even though we did kill somebody, but we're not sure who and since it wasn't him it really isn't that important. Anyway, yesterday somebody said they thought that Saddam and his sons were in this other place (this wasn't the same guy who said he was in the first place, but even if it is the same guy he might be right this time) so we bombed it even more then the first place.

Hell, we left a crater and everything so somebody is definetly dead, even if it takes a few days or so to find out if it's Saddam & sons this time. After all, it's not like we can't bomb someplace else if we have to?

Oh, and maybe we actually found some "Weapons of Mass Destruction" which might really be pesticides, but since somebody buried them and we dug it up it seems awfully suspicious anyway. This means we were right and there's no reason to bring up the place we found the other week where we said we found something and it turned out to be nothing at all. Let's not live in the past!

Also, we are really sorry that we shot at the Russian embassador, even if we didn't start it. It's not like we killed anybody.

We also feel pretty bad about shooting at a hotel where we knew all those journalists stay. I mean, it's pretty funny if you think about it, them staying there when they knew we were bombing and stuff. Hehe.. We did kill that one guy, but after all one of those NBC guys died from a leg cramp or something, and we can't be blamed for that. I mean these things happen, right?

Hey, you have to laugh about this stuff, don't you? I mean, Dennis Miller and Jay Leno seem to think it's okay and they seem pretty popular. Oh, and don't get me started on the Michael Moore! Boy, you got to let that election thing go after a year or so, huh? Give it a rest already! :-(

Seriously, I'm losing it with all of this stuff going on. Guys over on Fox News say that we are traitors if we don't support the President, so I'm not really looking forward to Homeland Security guys showing up.

I'm wearing my American flag tie and the Internet classical music station is playing the Star Spangled Banner. Everything is going to be just fine.

I wish I could think of a clever text way of placing a Campbell Soup can in this site, as Mark Evanier does on his page. There really isn't something of interest to comment on each and every day, but I always feel guilty if I haven't posted for several days in a row.

Even though I had the day off yesterday (Friday, 4/5) I decided NOT to watch the news. In spite of everything going on, and quite rapidly, I find that it just depresses me. The saddest part, aside from the deaths of hundreds of Iraqi civilians, is that George W. will use this in 2004 to ensure he has a second term. Nevermind the national debt that will cripple the economy for years. Forget the fact that, in all probablity, nothing will be done to bring real changes to the health care system. Let's not think about how conservative justices will help the Republicans further erode any Constitutional rights, any but the wealthy may have in this country. We kicked Saddam's ass! Four more years!!!

Taking a break from all that I surfed the channels and found back-to-back episodes of BUFFY. To be honest, when the show first came on the air I was quite the fan, but I don't think I've actually set down and watched an episode for the past couple of years. I was lucky enough to find that they were showing the episode in which Tara (Willow's gal-pal) is killed, followed immediately by the episode in which Willow takes vengence and goes over to the Very Dark SIde. I had forgotten how good the show was, but of course, was confused by a few of the characters who had apparently become part of the cast since my last viewing. Still I can see why the show continues to have a following and why folks are disappointed that it will be ending soon.

I was also happy to catch two episodes each of PERRY MASON (the old B&W program) and MURDER, SHE WROTE. I'm a fan of both shows, no matter how dated both appear.

Speaking of which, it's always fun to see the various 'guest stars' who appear on MSW, sometimes only for a few minutes. In one of the episodes I caught Milton Berle as a showbiz agent. I really think that Berle adlibbed some of his dialogue, especially the lines he tossed off in greetings to unseen 'friends' at a restaurant scene. Like another favorite, COLUMBO, MSW has a style that owes to the talent of their stars.

So okay, the Mets stunk up the field and Roger "Sure I hit guys, but it's never my fault" Clemens tagged one of the Toronto Blue Jays. Meanwhile, my beloved Red Sox got beat by the Devil Rays. It's just the second day of the season and it is snowing outside!

Two quick comments while I'm thinking about it.

The bio-pic RUDY, wasn't as bad as it could have been. Hats off to James Woods for actually making the ex-Mayor of New York ALMOST likeable in a few sections of the film. If nothing else, the movie showed how self-centered and often mean spirited Guilliani could be.

I lived in Brooklyn during Rudy's terms as Mayor, as well as several years under Ed Koch and the likeable, if inept David Dinkins. The movie portrayed the man as I remember him. He truly loved the city, but had little but contempt for many of the citizens. In the end, he was indeed "the right man at the right time" for New York after 9/11. I don't think we have seen the last of him!

I'll try to have a few more words tomorrow about THE CORE, but just let me state that I was pleasantly surprised.

So! Will Donald Rumsfeld be the scapegoat in this whole thing? Is the Administration even now trying to distance George W. from the blunders that may well cause the deaths of many more American soldiers and Iraqi civilians? Will this Bush claim to be 'out of the loop' as his dad was during Iran/Contra? Meanwhile, is Powell counting the days before he can step down and begin rebuilding his own reputation? Stay tuned!

It is Opening Day and I'm putting everything else on the backburner. Pedro is pitching today and the Red Sox are gearing up to once again break my heart.

"I think there are only three things America will be known for 2,000 years from now when they study this civilization: the Constitution, jazz music, and baseball." -Gerald Early

Sorry, that it has been so long since my last posting. Can't even say that it has been because of work or family problems. It's simply that I really haven't had much to say.

Okay, I've had a LOT to say, but it would basically be me ranting about the war in Iraq and you can get that 24/7 just about anywhere.

What can you say at this point besides it being a bad mistake which shouldn't have happened? Hundreds of Iraqi civilians and more than that number of soldiers have died. The casualties of the coalition are not anywhere near that number but it is still sad to see them losing their lives for some ill-conceived, political agenda of the Bush administration.

The Washington Monthly has an interesting article by Josua Micah Marshall. He tries to exam the real reason behind the current war, and warns that this may only be the beginning of a much, longer series of wars. Given Donald Rumsfeld's recent comments about Syria, the first part of Marshall's essay seems almost prophetic. Whether you agree with him or not, the article is still interesting reading. (I admit that Mark Evanier had a link to this article last week, but I've only had a chance to read the article yesterday.)

While I served in the U.S. Navy for close to a decade I saw a number of things which I try not to think about. Collisions at sea caused by inept officers, sailors & marines hurt and killed during 'war games'. More than once the one of the ships I served on was under attack. These events all happened in 'peace time' or at least, in areas considered out of the combat areas. It was an open secret that one or two deaths were possible, even predictable, during mass exercises during manuevers.

Given this we should not be surprised by the events that are occurring in Iraq, at this point in time. At this very moment we are purposely trying to kill the soldiers and destroy the fighting abilities of an entire nation. Despite the obvious 'brave front' put on by the Administration and Pentagon spokespersons, it should have been obvious from the pre-planning stage that this was not going to be a repeat of the first Gulf War. We are not beating back a retreating force, who invaded another country. This time we are the invaders and the soldiers and many civilians (whether they be pro or anti-Saddam) see us as uninvited intruders into their nation. Did the planners in the White House and Pentagon REALLY believe that the citizens of a nation would all welcome us with flowers and invitations to dinner?

Britain's Daily Mirror has some interesting reports that you won't see in the U.S. press. In that country the major newspapers have not all embraced the Administrations policies. The majority of British citizens continue to oppose the use of their nations troops, while hoping for their safe return. It would seem that in the American media, if you oppose the war you dishonor those men & women who serve in the Armed Forces. As most anti-war protestors have tried to make clear, this is not the case.

Be warned that some of the photographs that are shown in the Mirror articles are disturbing. I couldn't look at many of them, once it became apparent what they showed. Still it must be clear, as the Mirror reporter does, that these images are being shown in the papers and television coverage in most Arab nations. Is this what we, as American citizens, want our country to be known for? Will this 'help our cause' (whatever it happens to be this week)?

Before I forget, and on a somewhat lighter note, I was happy to see that Michael Moore received his justly deserved Oscar recognition last evening. When it was announced that he had won for "Bowling for Columbine" I told my wife, "If you want to see a political statement, just wait." He didn't disappoint, that's for sure! :-)

Is it just me or is anyone else disturbed by the obvious glee that the invasion seems to have instilled in the media?

On Wednesday night I went home and found the anchor on MSNBC positively giddy when talking to some retired General about the possible damage that could be brought down on Bagdhad by US weapons. I was reminded of the all too common site of journalists, usually local anchor/reporter types, who have been sent to accompany troops from their area. It doesn't seem to dawn on them that the armaments and equipment they lovingly touch and show off will be used to take the life of actual people. It might as well be some video game, which of course, is what the tapes we see on the nightly news appear to be.

"If you enjoyed the action and destruction of the first Persian Gulf War than you'll love the new and improved thrills in store for you in Persian Gulf War II: Saddam Is Slain! Coming to you soon on Playstation 2 and Nintendo!"

Let's also be thankful that neither March Madness nor the Academy Awards will be interrupted, just because several hundred Iraqi citizens may be killed. Hey, it's business after all and you don't want to upset major advertisers.

It's 2:15pm and the 'deadline' for the beginning of war is about six hours away. Since Saddam has said that he is not going to leave, it may be that things have already begun that we haven't heard about.

We are going to be getting minute-by-minute coverage of events, even when the 'reporters' are hundreds (even thousands) of miles away and are passing along news second & third hand. You might want to check out "How To Tell If We're Winning In Iraq" over on at Slate.com. They won't be handing out a scorecard, but there are things that you might watch out for.

As I've said before, at this point we can only hope that the deaths are minimal and the destruction limited. In my heart of hearts I don't believe that, but it's the only way to keep from crying over this whole situation.

Is there really anyone who doubted that it would come to this? I mean, since late last year the Administration has been talking 'diplomacy' on the one hand, while sending in troops, stockpiling weapons and ammunition along the borders. Bush & Co. wanted and pushed all along for a war and nothing the UN or anyone else did or said would have prevented it from happening. Even if there had been a second vote, and it had been vetoed the current unelected Commander in Chief would have used previous resolutions (as he has and said so last evening) to allow him to justify an invasion.

Of course, since we are invading the Iraqi military has every right to fight back, as would any country whose borders had been violated. One of those stipulations for a 'just war' (we have heard so much about) is such an incursion.

Try to put a 'good face' on it as they might the U.S. will have to live with the consequences (social, political and economic) for years after G.W. has returned to the ranch.

With the way things are heating up you might want to put things in perspective over at Get Your War On Wonderful clip art cartoon strip covering the mounting campaign to get the U.S. ready what is to come.

The Prez is going to make it "official" tonight, if the various newsites and media are correct. He'll give Saddam & Co. a few days to 'get out of Dodge or else'.

Sadly, the Administration aided by their toadies in the media have put any anti-war position as being disloyal at least, or treasonal at worst. Let's hope that we don't find ourselves rounding up Arab-Americans 'for their own safety' or some such.

It's a scary time and only going to get moreso in the weeks and months ahead.

Been a while since I actually mentioned comics here, so I thought it was about time.

The BRUCE WAYNE:MURDERER/FUGITIVE storyline, beginning back in BATMAN Ten Cent Adventure, got me hooked on a few of the Bat family titles. Quickly discovered that the ugly art and confusing storyline over on NIGHTWING weren't my cup of tea. On the other hand, I'm really glad to be reading both ROBIN & BATGIRL. Both are interesting characters in themselves, apart from their involvement with their mentor. Also, found that BIRDS OF PREY was a nice change of pace, allthough the recent change in art chores threw me for an issue. The three main Batman books (BATMAN, DETECTIVE & GOTHAM KNIGHTS) have allowed me to catch up on my one time favorite comics character and his extended 'family'. Two female characters, SPOILER and THE HUNTRESS both are going through some tough times and have enough backstory to keep me interested.

If somebody can explain why Marvel decided to completely change the storyline and characters in THUNDERBOLTS, yet retain the title and numbering of the original series, I'd love to hear it. I had heard the book was going to change and was disappointed, since I thought that both original scripter Kurt Busiek and follow-up scribe Fabian Nicieza were doing a fantastic job with some unusual characters. Dozens of second-string Marvel villains were re-introduced, changed, killed and than brought back, new heroes were introduced and yet both guys were able to keep the juggling act going, almost effortlessly. I found it funny that, when speaking with one of the co-owners of Clockworks Comics (where I currently buy my books), at least a half-dozen folks had the book dropped from their 'pull lists' after just seeing the cover art for issue #76 in PREVIEWS. To be honest, T-bolts was the ONLY Marvel title that I have been buying on a regular basis for a while now. I know that the publisher can certainly get along without me, but I'll be curious to see how long this revamp remains on the stands.

It's been known that YOUNG JUSTICE was going to end for a while now, but I was still sorry to see one of my favorite DCU books wrap up. I think Peter David was doing a great job on all the characters, and certainly proved (as if he needed to) that he is one solid comicbook writer. I haven't read or been interested in the TITANS for years, so I can't say that their demise means much to me. I'll be picking up the cross-over GRADUATION DAY, just out of curiousity but doubt that I'll have any desire to pick up either the new TITANS or THE OUTSIDERS which will apparently spin-off. To be honest, the idea of an illegitimate daughter for BLACK LIGHTNING seems to be a slap in the face of that characters creator Tony Isabella. Distaste it enough to keep me away.

In case anybody cares (and in no particular order) here are my current Top Ten Favorite comic books:
USAGI YOJIMBO, SAVAGE DRAGON, POWERS, JSA, GREEN ARROW, HAWKMAN, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to see them back and in the hands of one of their creators), DOOM PATROL (*sigh* Another DCU title that I've heard will be dropped all too soon.), STRAY BULLETS, ASTRO CITY (I'm really glad that Kurt & Co. are back, even on an irregular shedule).

Several other comics come out rather haphazardly, but I still love them when they appear:
AKIKO, 7 GUYS OF JUSTICE (The best superhero spoof since early issues of THE TICK, and almost as strange as LETHARGIC LAD), HEROBEAR & THE KID (the book makes me remember how wonderful the imagination of a child can be)

Hats off to both BONGO COMICS and ABC for publishing entire lines which are 'must have, double bag'. You probably couldn't find two companies who publish such 'different' books, but both seem dedicated to producing things which appeal to fans outside the standard readers of DC & MARVEL.

Oh, and I'd regret not recommending FIREBREATHER, one of the new 'superhero' titles being introduced by Image Comics. What do you when you are going through puberty, and just moved into a new town where the kids at school wouldn't allow you into their cliques? Now suppose you were orange, had scales and your father was a 300-foot monster bent on conquering the world? Only three issues so far, but this is quickly moving up on my list of favorities.

Have I mentioned that I LOVE comics lately?

A couple of quickies this morning to get things started.

It was great to hear that Elizabeth Smart was found alive and apparently in good condition yesterday. The amazing thing is that just that morning there had apparently been some reports, in Utah papers, that the Smart family was lambasting the police for failure to follow up on various leads.

The family had nothing but positive things to say for all involved later, but it will be interesting to see what comes out about a police investigation that can NOT find a girl lost for months, while they had apparently spoken to the man who had abducted her.

I also give credit to Mr. Smart for using his media spotlight to aim some anger at politicians dragging their feet on the "Amber alert" legislation. He actually named one politician by name, and you can expect that guy to be dodging reporters for a while.

Watched the 1st Annual TV Land Awards last night. I mean, for the most part there were no surprised, as you could tell from the clips who was going to get any particular award, just by knowing which folks were actually in attendance. The best part, and sometimes the saddest, was seeing so many 'familiar faces' from past shows. I was most surprised to see how frail James Doohan looked when the cast of Star Trek appeared together.

Also evident was the editing, since some folks almost magically appeared on stage while others had their acceptance speeches very, obviously cut. It seems that Shatner's remarks began somewhere in the middle of whatever he had to say.

The show could have done without some of the padding, such as the dress designer Jacques Whomever(?) retrospective. Cutting bits like that could have shortened the show, or allowed the acceptance speeches to be kept.

Looks more and more like it will be the U.S. acting on its own in Iraq, although it's possible that the British will have some troops and aircraft in the area for support. It also seems that Blair, whose friendship with Bush, looked like a good move post-9/11, will actually be his downfall within his own party. With less then 20% (I think it was 19% in the latest polls) of Brits supporting a non-UN backed war, plus some of his Cabinet already resigned (and more threatening that), I would not be surprised to see a vote of "No Confidence" or something of that order coming up shortly.

I am fascinated by articles coming out about how various entertainment and sports events might be effected by a war. Networks fear that the "March Madness" college basketball tournaments might be shuffled off to VH1, with sidebars talking about how it will impact advertisers like Budwieser because they might hesitate to advertise if the games go to the youth oriented MTV channels.

We can hold our heads up high though, since the Academy has announced that a war won't cancel or postpone their annual event. It was one thing, apparently, to hold off when it seemed that 'terrorist' threats might take place, but there's nothing like a party to keep your mind off of the bombing of Iraqi citizens.

Man, am I Mister Cynicism again, or what?

As promised here's the first of several postings dealing with my experiences in Las Vegas and other casinos. Be sure to check out the link over on the side to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Great stuff on what's happening, hotel rates and other things you might want to know about in "Sin City", before you head out. Btw, you might also want to check out Mark Evanier's Las Vegas pages (go through the link to POVonline, also over on the side), besides general info Mark also has some wonderful stories about new and old Vegas that will make you want to go there even more.

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Viva Las Vegas, pt. 1
My first trip to Las Vegas was back in 1995, with my ex (fellow Blogger Elayne Riggs). We ended up staying with her parents, rather than at a hotel, so I can only comment on what we saw driving along the Strip and visiting several of the casinos.

My greatest thrill was just going down the length of the Strip our first night. If you have never made the trip, or have only see the city in films you can’t imagine how absolutely overwhelming the place can be. Having grown up watching clips of Frank & The Rat Pack, plus numerous other scenes showing the place it was like a ‘dream come true’ for this kid. As I whispered to Elayne while gaping at everything, "I think I just orgasmed!"

The two casinos that made the most lasting impression, at least on the inside, were Ceasar’s and the MGM Grand. Both have made a number of changes since then, but walking down the main corridor of Ceasar’s is amazing. You have got to check out the ‘living statue’ show, with Bacchus (which hasn't changed since I originally saw it), as well as the newer “Fall of Atlantis” further down the way.

Outside the Strip, I vividly recall going one evening to checkout the Freemont Experience, a great light & music show. A huge canopy of lights has been erected over several blocks, under which have been placed some of the old-time neon signs (including the Lucky cowboy) you may remember from 1950s shots of Vegas. Each time I’ve gone the show has been different.

My second trip was with my current wife, Donna. We had been talking about Vegas since we began dating back in ’99, and finally decided to take a chance. The most important thing we discovered was that visiting Vegas in the middle of summer might not be your best choice. Surprisingly, not only is it incredibly hot, but the place is packed. We found on our next trip, in January of this year, that there were fewer crowds and it was much easier (especially on weekdays early in the week) to find spots at the machines and tables. January in Vegas has temps around 56% during the day (as opposed to around 104% in July), but you might want to bring a light jacket, for evenings.

If you do go, I would recommend passing on both the Aladdin and New York, New York. They are really pushy when you first walk in, with Greeters trying to get you to sign up for casino cards and shows. Also, Aladdin isn't really that special and NYNY is like a bad dream of what Times Square once was. Crowded, noisy and impossible to find your way around. We were trying to figure out where to find an exit and found ourselves standing behind a group of people. Some guy asked me what we're standing in line for! "Hopefully the exit," I said. He laughed and drifted away.
One surprise at NYNY was a ‘tribute/memorial’ to the police & firefighters who lost their lives in the WTC disaster. Around the “riverfront” (complete with tugboat) outside the casino is a fence literally covered by t-shirts and sweaters bearing the logos of EMS, fire & police departments from around the country. Many of these also have handwritten messages, which can still be read. Very moving.
Mandalay Bay, one of the newer casino resorts, is nice, but really nothing special. Although they do have some very nice restaurants. The Bellagio, on the otherhand, is quite lovely. You have to check out the blown-glass sculptures in the lobby ceiling, and the botanical gardens. The Luxor, which I didn't have a chance to really explore during my first trip is a lot of fun. The place really uses the ancient Egyptian motive to full-effect. Giant statues of the pharoahs, hyroglyphics, etc. adorn the lobby and walls of the casino floor. Looking up you are reminded instantly of the pyramid shape of the building and the unusual 'inclinators' which take you up to your rooms moving at an angle to the casino below.

Naturally, on my trip last year I had a chance to check out the Elvira 'nickel' slots at the Luxor! Pretty cool, featuring a little statue of her on top, sitting in a skulled throne. Donna had a lot of fun (and some luck) with the Munster video slots. A comical bat transforms into Granpa Munster when you hit certain sequences and gives you winnings, depending on what is next to him. There is also a "Munster match" where you match three video clips of one character and win a total combined number of coins. Naturally, Herman is the highest (50 to 150 coins) and Marilyn gives you only twice your bet (usually 2-3 coins), if you find the single clip of her. Donna had a lot of fun (and some luck) with the Munster video slots. A comical bat transforms into Granpa Munster when you hit certain sequences and gives you winnings, depending on what is next to him. There is also a "Munster match" where you match three video clips of one character and win a total combined number of coins. Naturally, Herman is the highest (50 to 150 coins) and Marilyn gives you only twice your bet (usually 2-3 coins), if you find the single clip of her.
Both the Elvira and Munster machines give little special extras for fans of either show. When you win on the Munster Match it ends with a close-up clip of Herman saying "I'm rich...I'm rich!!"
When you get a certain sequence on Elvira you have a chance to play Movie Macabre (or something like that) where you choose a clip from a list of bad movies (they only last about 10-15 seconds so look quick). Then you have to guess how many "skulls" Elvira gave the film. If you agree with her you win a bonus amount. As with the Munster game, it's cool to hear Elvira talking to you as you play. (Hint: When asked to 'touch a chest' for a bonus, don't automatically go for one of the 'treasure chests', see what Elvira has to say if you get a bit too chummy. ;-)
There is also an I DREAM OF JEANNIE video machine. It uses animation similar to the opening credits and you hear Barbara Eden's voice saying things like "Thank you, master" (which gives me goose bumps ;-) and things like that. Only played a few times in Atlantic City, but didn't hit at all, so don't know if it does anything really cool or not.
These things are really aimed at the Boomers and folks who grew up watching these shows. Not that that is a bad thing, of course. Face it, we go to the casinos to gamble, so why not give us a little something besides Triple Sevens and Video Poker to feed our bills into.
You can't miss the water show (a series of water jets & fountains, shooting in time with music) at the Bellagio. While interesting during the day, it is incredible great at night. Every half hour or so during the day, it switches to every fifteen minutes starting at dusk to 11:00pm, each time going off to a different song. Frank Sinatra was used often during the day, with more contemporary tunes in the evenings. Stay at least for two!

It's been a few days since my last update, so let me just throw out a few things (Larry King style).

Let me get this straight.... The latest 'resolution' the British are presenting to the UN is going to give Iraq until March 17th to disarm or face military intervention. Last night GW basically says he's going to send in the troops NO MATTER what the U.N. decision. G.W. doesn't really answer a thing, but brings God, and 9/11 repeatedly into those replies he does give. He's sending in American troops to kill innocent Iraqi citizens and further inflame the anti-American feelings throughout the world (and especially the Mid-East to preserve peace and protect 'democracy'. Oh..why didn't he say so in the first place? Let's go!!

Saddam doesn't have nukes, no a way to make them, while the North Koreans possibly already have them and are making more. We attack one, but 'diplomacy' with other nations is the best route in another case.

After almost thirty years I'm back in touch with a former shipmate from the USS Shreveport. We served together from late 1970 to mid-1972, during the ship's commissioning and early deployments. I found Ken's e-mail address over at a military website for vets to get in touch with each other. What a blast from the past to hear from him and to spend over an hour on the phone catching up.

Have a good weekend and keep the duct tape & plastic wrap handy, just in case!

Sometimes your childhood catches up with you. The past week has brought a few things that reminded me of different periods of my youth and I wanted to quickly mention them (if only to rant for a while).

Last Friday night, while checking the "Guide" on television I was jolted to find that the "Lone Ranger" was listed as being broadcast later in the evening. My initial reaction was that it was the horrible movie from '81 LEGEND OF THE LONE RANGER, however the guide said that this was a new film, so I figured I'd set the VCR just in case.

*sigh* Well, it seems that the WB had hoped that they could revive the series by using their usual "teen drama" formula. Hell, it worked with SMALLVILLE, so why not the "Masked Rider of the Plains". Since I haven't had the time or interest in actually sitting down and watching the entire film, my comments are limited to the 10 minutes or so that I caught while commercials aired on other shows. "Mostly Harmless" pretty much sums up my feelings. The leads are too young, the dialogue to 'hip' and you never get the feeling that anyone is taking the thing seriously, even the 'bad guys'.

Maybe it's just a matter of the LR not fitting into current ideas of entertainment. Given a good script and skilled director, with actors and crew who had a desire to bring some magic to the franchise, maybe it could be done. I just don't see it happening now.

Go over to the link to CBS television and check out Return to the Batcave : The Misadventures of Adam and Burt, which reunites Adam West & Burt Ward. I had first heard about this a couple of years ago and frankly, thought it was one of those ideas that float around Hollywood but never actually get done. Imagine my surprise a few weeks ago when I saw the "Dynamic Duo" over on Entertainment Tonight talking about the TV-movie.

The linked page has some nice stuff, including photos from the movie, the old Batman theme, and a video trailer for the show.

Back when the show was originally aired I was one of those millions of kids who were thrilled, yet kind of bothered at the same time. It was fun watching the overacting and over-the-top scripting, yet as a comics fan, I was insulted that one of my favorite characters was basically being made to look ridiculous. Still I was there 'same Bat-time, same Bat-channel' twice a week watching the show, along with my younger sister and my parents.

It's time to get another tape ready. Hey, maybe I can just tape over the LONE RANGER, huh?

Finally, I got a postcard in the mail informing me that the 35th reunion of my High School class is coming up. Man, has it really been that long? I'll probably end up going, but since it isn't until the Friday after Thanksgiving I'll have plenty of time to change my mind a number of times. I'll keep you updated.

Occasionally I'll be hit by feelings of nostalgia and check in on the whereabouts of some of the Navy ships on which I served.

Seems one (U.S.S. Shreveport) is currently somewhere in the Persian Gulf, while another (U.S.S. Waddell) has been temporarily re-assigned to the Greek Navy. Still another ship (U.S.S. Butte) has been de-commissioned. The first ship on which I served was the U.S.S. Boxer which was de-commissioned in early 1969 and a brand new ship has become the sixth Naval vessel to bear that name. Also a helicopter carrier (as was the ship I sailed on) this ship is also possibly scheduled to be deployed.

"Fair winds and following seas" to former shipmates and those who serve currently on my old vessels. My thoughts are with those Navy guys putting in their time, lifers or not.

"Strange as the glimmer of the ghastly light
That shines from some vast crest of wave at night."
William Hope Hodgson - The Ghost Pirates

Growing up in southeastern Connecticut, I suppose it was natural to have some interest in the sea. My hometown of Norwich had been a harbor and even had some whaling ships sailing from her docks in the 19th century. Also, with a large Naval station, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and General Dynamics submarine construction facility less than a half hour away it was impossible not to be aware of the maritime history of the area.

Considering this, plus the fact that my father and his brother had both served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, it was not hard to imagine that I'd find myself serving as well. Of course, if you remember the fact that this occurred while our country was deeply involved in Vietnam and I thought my chances would be better sitting in a ship, rather than 'in country' (as they called it).

Add all this and you may understand that the literature of sea holds a fascination for me. The novels of Herman Melville, C. S. Forester, Patrick O'Brian and the like continue to hold my interest. True stories of the ships that sailed the world's oceans and the men that sailed on them (often at their peril) grip my imagination and pull me into a world long past.

If you happen to share my interests, or maybe the movie TITANIC moved you to such a degree that you have become one of those who seek out books on that disaster and others, you might be interested in checking out the link I've just installed.

Damn, but I'm a sucker for stories about the 'rich and powerful'. Dominick Dunne's program on Court TV is one of my favorites, dealing as it does with scandals involving the very, wealthy. In fact, I'm currently listening to an audiobook version of Dunne's Justice: Crime, Trials & Punishments.

I'm also a sucker for Court TV in general, which seems aimed at folks like me.

The reason I mention this was because of an article by John Bloom (check the link to Joe Bob Briggs and click on "Clueless Celebrities?" ) about the Catherine Zeta-Jones/Michael Douglas lawsuit over photographs taken at their wedding. One of Zeta-Jones comments about it not being about the 1.6million dollars they were paid by a British tabloid, since that was "a lot of money maybe to a lot of people in (the courtroom), but it is not that much for us.", certainly puts her in the 'out of touch'/Marie Antoinette category.

Well, I couldn't bring myself to watch G.W.'s entire speach last night, but then I often find myself grabbing the remote to flip past his smug mug whenever it appears.

Is it really wise to have the 'leader of the free world' beginning his speech about an upcoming war by making jokes about the "dress code" as the AEI dinner, where he found a most receptive audience? His administration is about to send thousands of American & British troops into a war from which hundreds may not return. He is going to order the bombing of 'strategic sites' which all too often turn out not to be such, thus leading to the death of innocent men, women and children.

But before that let's make jokes and name drop, despite the fact that most of the American public (and any international audience) has NO IDEA who these folks are or what the AEI does. From the way Bush spoke about these conservative intellectuals and big-business apologists you'd think they were strapping on equipment and leading the charge into the Iraqi desert, rather than sitting around collecting paychecks from the companies eager to profit from the up-coming war.

Oh, since I'll be discussing the Iraq situation and nay-saying the invasion, I just want to make it clear that my admiration and respect for the men & women in the Armed Forces runs deep. Unlike many 'hawks' who seem all too happy to send other folks into hostile fire, yet didn't find time to serve themselves, I spent close to ten years in the U.S. Navy. I've been in hostile waters and have been on a ship attacked by suicidal folks in the dark of night. It's scary out there folks and our politicians should remember that as they lay down in their beds each night.

It was Captain Kangaroo and NOT Mister Rogers who helped form my childhood. I don't even recall seeing Fred Rogers' program until I was in my twenties. Since I don't have this connection I guess I'm not as touched by his passing as those millions of kids who did 'know' him growing up. However, I can appreciate all that he did for children and for children's programming over the years.

While Bob Keeshan became the good Captain, Fred Rogers WAS Mister Rogers. He didn't need makeup to transform he simply entered the set and was himself.

Hats off to a man who dedicated his life to making children's television more than an excuse to sell merchandise.

Casino-mania
The first time I actually set foot in a casino was while I was in the Navy. It was probably either late 1968 or early 1969, on one of the first Caribbean cruises that I took. I believe I was serving on the USS Boxer at the time, and we were visiting the island of Nassau. The casino was British owned and operated, with an opulence that can’t be imagined outside of movies.
Except for the other sailors present (we were in our dress blues) it seemed that every man was dressed in tuxedos or dinner jackets, while the women were all in the most expensive gowns you could imagine. At eighteen years of age, to me it seemed as if I had stepped into a scene from a James Bond film.
Besides getting my first taste of slots and watching the more experienced folks at the tables, seeming unimpressed to be dropping stacks of chips, I learned the wonderful fact that if you played you were offered ‘free drinks’. Well, hell, you certainly can’t go wrong with a great deal like that!
I mean, what could be more sophisticated than dropping twenty bucks in a machine and getting a watered down rum & coke (worth maybe four bucks). So okay, maybe it seemed like a good deal at the time.
I have long since lost count of the various casinos that I’ve frequented both here and abroad, but there is still a thrill I get whenever I travel and find myself entering a new gambling establishment for the first time. They are all so different in the way they try to fashion the total experience of the patrons.
I’m certainly not going to try and top what Joe Bob Briggs is doing over on his site with his regular “Vegas Guy” column, but I do plan on running several posts (spread over the next month or so) on my personal experiences. Along the way I’ll probably post some links to casino websites so you can check out things for yourself.
The first two will deal with my visits to Las Vegas. Later I’ll have some comments on Atlantic City, followed by shorter accounts of visits to the two ‘native American’ casinos here in Connecticut (Foxwoods & Mohegan Sun) and also one on what I’ve experienced in the shipboard casinos of both the Carnival & Celebrity cruise lines.

Ever since his days doing the "hippie-dippie weatherman" I've been a big fan of George Carlin. His 'Seven deadly words that can't be said on television', his sometimes open contempt for organized religion and people in authority have all touched a cord in his many fans. He's got a number of gold records and a Grammy or two, plus a couple of best-selling books to his credit.

Now fans can find Carlin's sense of humor 24/7 over on his website, which you'll find over on the side with the other links.

When you go there be patient and wait for the hamster to wake up.

As I'm not a big fan of contemporary music I haven't been a viewer of the Grammy Awards for several years. Basically my tastes run to classical, 'new age' (or whatever you'd like to call it) and older stuff. Face it, my musical tastes were formed in the late 1950s to early 1970s and really haven't changed much since then.

Anyway, Timothy Noah over at SLATE has a good article "The Shame of the Grammys" which points out that despite national attention, at no time did anyone at the awards show mention the fire at the RI club. Surely the death of close to 100 music fans should have been important enough to call for a 'moment of silence'. The ceremony, from what I've read, did a tribute to a number of music industry folks who had passed away. Apparently fans just aren't as important.

Another work week begins and a dreary one at that. Overcast and chilly. Just so New England!

One of those February days when Spring seems so far away and Summer never in reach. A day for somber reflection and speculation of what may lie ahead.

"Call me Ishmael. Some years ago -- never mind how long precisely -- having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and regulating the circulation." - Opening paragraph of MOBY DICK by Herman Melville

Don't mind me, I sometimes think that I was born into the wrong era. I've just finished listening to an audiobook, "DEMON OF THE WATERS". The book tells of the whaling ship The Globe and a mutiny which, may or maynot, have influenced some of Melville's novel. I don't know what it is that fascinates me about that particular period in our nation's history, but I often find myself reading tales (fiction and non-fiction) about the events that occurred and the people who lived in that time.

What is there about literature (good or bad) that can capture our minds and transport us to some other reality? A film, no matter, how good, can never entirely surround you and allow you to 'experience' another life. Even the best film will have moments that release you and remind you that you are apart from the characters. Literature holds you and doesn't release you until you purposely pull yourself away.

*sigh*

Also of note yesterday was that the explosion and fire at an oil/gas depot in Staten Island wasn't important enough to delay or interrupt the soap operas on the local NYC stations. While the Fox News channel, along with CNN & MSNBC kept switching coverage between the two fire related stories, the network affiliates in the nations #1 market seemed to feel that it wasn't really worth the airtime that it would take from the fiction of day-time drama.

It's probably a good thing that the 9/11 tragedy happened while the TODAY SHOW was still on and they hadn't switched over to Judge Judy. Folks outside the Financial District might not have known what happened until the News at Noon.

Is it the gloomy weather that has me so cynical today, or what?

I had the day off yesterday (2/21), so after running some errands I went home to relax. As usual, unless I've rented a video/DVD I was skimming the channels looking for something of interest. As is often the case I found myself glued to the various news channels, seeing how each covered a particular story.

It interesting how there seems to be very little going on anywhere except the up-coming invasion of Iraq (brought to us be the unelected President and his henchfolks), however sometimes there is something that catches the attention of the Powers That Be enough to give that some airtime.

Sadly, it was the tragedy in West Warwick, RI where close to a hundred people (the number of dead may have increased by the time I post this) lost their lives in a nightclub fire. Coming on the heels of an earlier tragedy in Chicago (where about twenty people lost their lives, being shoved and trampled by fellow fleeing patrons) the RI fire had the additional advantage, if you will, of actually video documentation.

Nothing can guarantee that something is newsworthy like video. It's always fascinating to me, when I watch either local or national news, that the destruction of an entire town and the loss of a hundred people in some remote part of the world is barely a 10-second footnote, but if a single-engine plane happens to land in the parking lot of a mall (with no injuries) it can become worthy of several minutes of airtime, simply because somebody happened to be nearby with their Sony camcorder.

I realize that this is nothing new to anyone and that wiser folks than I have discussed the same thing. Still when I find myself watching these events I can't help but try to distance myself enough to remember that there is somebody there in the control room deciding for me just how important this event is and whether it's time to "interrupt this tragedy for a word from our sponsor".

If there is a more pleasant and funny cartoonist than Sergio Aragones I haven't met him (or her). I've had the pleasure to chat several times with this wonderful and talented gentleman at a number of different conventions over the past 15+ years.

Finally, with the aid of his regular collaborator Mark Evanier, Sergio finally has his own website up and running. You cannot only keep up with what he's up to and pick up copies of his numerous books, but he also has an "Ask Sergio" section where he'll personally reply to guestions regarding his art and other things.

Just check out the link over on the side and enjoy!

Growing up I can recall my father reading two newspapers everyday, with a third one added on Sunday. I'm not simply saying he skimmed the headlines and read the sports page, I mean he actually did read almost everything (including the comics in each paper). I have to wonder what he'd think, if he was still around, about his Librarian son almost never getting his fingers dirty with newsprint?

Thanks to the Information Age I get my full of both mainstream and alternative publications via my computer terminal. All that and I never have to feel guilty about the paperboy having to trudge through the snow to deliver his wares.

Granted I don't read each publication as thoroughly as my Dad did in his day, but I can certainly keep up with my favorite columnists and see what the Powers That Be have decided is newsworthy for the rest of us.

The best place for me to start each morning is with the "Today's Papers" newsletter which I have e-mailed to me by Slate Magazine . Not only do I get the headlines of five major newspapers (NEW YORK TIMES, WASHINGTON POST, WALL STREET JOURNAL, LOS ANGELES TIMES & USA TODAY), but links to each paper, as well as occassional links to other newspapers and magazines (both American and international). I find it amazing to compare how each publication views the major events of the day and what gets priority.

First off, my apologies for not posting for the past few days. We got hit hard by the Storm Daniel (When the Hell did they start naming blizzards for pete's sake?) here in Connecticut and the University was closed both Monday & Tuesday. Since I very rarely go online from home things had to wait until I had some free time here at work.

Anyway, we've dug ourselves out (I actually had to go out three times to keep the snow from burying the car and still had to get a helping hand from a neighbor to get the car out of its resting place.), so we're keeping our fingers crossed that any further snow doesn't really amount to much.

Before I go on I want to point out a new link to the Blog site of Elayne Riggs (former wife and co-conspirator of many years). Elayne and I began corresponding back in the early 1980s, when I subscribed to her newsletter INSIDE JOKE. For years she was Queen of the rac* groups on Usenet and she can still write rings around most folks I know. We don't always agree (Heck, even when we were married we didn't always see eye-to-eye!), but she is never boring. Click on the link over there and see what she's ranting about nowadays! :-)

Btw, as I mentioned previously I had submitted the review of THE CLUB DUMAS to Joe Bob Briggs in hopes that he'd consider me as a book reviewer for his site. You can imagine how excited I was when he actually wrote back saying I got the gig. Pretty cool, huh? I'll keep you all updated on when any review of mine is going to be posted. (If possible I'll also post it here, after it is 'published' on Joe Bob's site, or if that is a problem, I'll just let you know that you can go over there and check it out yourself.)

With the UN inspectors coming in with the latest report, we can bet that George W. is ready to send troops across the Kuwait border in Iraq. In honor of that I wanted to put forth the following, for what it's worth.

The following are lyrics from a song in the 1933 Marx Brothers’ comedy "Duck Soup" entitled "The Country’s Going to War."
Firefly: Then it’s war! Then it’s war! Gather the forces! Harness the horses! Then it’s war!
Minister: Freedonia’s going to war!
General: Each native son will grab a gun.
Stenographer: And run away to war!
All: At last we’re going to…. Feet will beat along the street to… War! We’re going to war!
Chicolini and Bob: At last the country’s going to war
All: It seems the country’s going to war.
Ministers: At last the country’s going to war.
All: We’re going to war!
Prosecutor: This is a fact we can’t ignore.
All: We’re going to war! This is a fact we can’t ignore! We’re going to war!
Firefly: In case you haven’t heard before. I think they think we’re going to war. I think they think we’re going to war
All: We’re going to war!
Bob: I think they think we’re going to war
All: We’re going to war!
Chicolini: We’re going to war!
Guards: We’re going to war!

Music and lyrics by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby

I expect that the deed will be done before mid-March, since the longer the administration drags it's feet the more the anti-war movement will have a chance to organize and get the word out.

While I'm on the topic, as a kid who grew up during the Fifties I get this scary feeling of deja vu' when I see these reports about folks buying duct tape, rolls of plastic and stocking up on food & water. One of my uncles actually had a fallout shelter built in his basement, even though the family lived less then five miles from the submarine base in New London. He might as well have drawn a bullseye on his roof for all the good the thing would have done.

Now I've been seeing reports on the local news that all schools have 'terrorism alert plans', which will be implemented if terrorists decide to hit the local elementary school. I also remember the town I lived in (Taftville, CT which usually doesn't even appear on many state maps) holding drills, where cars would have to pull off of the road and all us school kids would duck under our desks. Granted we were maybe twenty miles from the same Naval station, but I'm sure our schoolhouse (built in the 1920s) would have easily survived anything the Russkies would have handed out. :-(

I'm not saying that there aren't serious dangers, as 9/11 made pretty damn clear, but let's not panic folks. Be prepared in case events happen, but don't let the administration use hysteria to undermine the very things this country stands for.

I don't know about you, but last year when they announced FREE COMIC BOOK DAY I made sure that I was able to hit the local shop. I mean it's not like I don't have way too many comics, especially of the unread variety laying around. Still, if I have the chance to sample a comic I might otherwise not buy, well, why not?

Hell, when I used to go to conventions on a regular basis the 'freebie' table was usually the first place I'd hit after paying my way. To be honest, I think there are still some comics I picked up at a San Diego convention five-six years ago that I still haven't cracked the spine on. :-)

Anyway, if the response to the last FCBD is any indication the event seems to have been a success and the publishers who took part last time around (this time joined by hold outs) have even more goodies that they'd like us to sample.

If you haven't been paying attention you might want to drop in on their Free Comic Book Day site

Then circle Saturday, May 3rd on your calendar and head on over the the closest shop. Pick up a book you normally wouldn't bother with and give it a try. It's free, ya know?

There's a great article on the "Liberal media" and so-called 'liberal bias' of the mainstream press over at The Nation magazine website.

Written by columnist, Eric Alterman, the article may not change your mind, but it certainly is a great answer to folks like Ann Coulter and Bernard Goldberg, whose NYT bestsellers set out to 'prove' such a bias exists. The best thing about Alterman's piece is that he demonstrates that even those places where we think we might get a liberal perspective, the Powers That Be have all but ensured that even that is 'balanced' in favor of the Conservative to Right positions.

Personally, whenever I hear the phrase I immediately know that I can tune out just about anything the speaker is going to say, since I know where they are coming from.

As you can see, I've been posting a bit today. Not that it makes up for forgetting to update the site for days on end, but I generally try not to post unless something comes to mind that I think may be of interest.

I'll also try not to bore folks with my political opinions, since there are much better writers and certainly better informed folks already posting Blogs that deal with the day's events. You don't need my two-cents.

That said I do want to let folks know about a site of which you may not already be aware. The organization UNITED FOR PEACE seem to be swimming against the popular tide, at least if you believe the polls that say that the American people will join the unelected President in his personal agenda. Hell, I actually was against the original war in the Persian Gulf and you could probably find better rational for that one, since there was actual provocation in the form of the invasion of Kuwait. Still, if the then current US adminstration (under George I) had pressured Saddam then it seems unlikely that he would have done anything, but of course he wasn't part of the "Axis of Evil" at that point, was he?

Anyway, while I doubt that there is anything that the anti-war faction can do at this point we should at least remember that there is a segment of the American populace that doesn't favor sending troops to kill and be killed for ill-conceived purposes. Hit the link over on the side and see what some folks have in mind.

As I've mentioned before, at one time I was doing movie reviews for Joe Bob Briggs' newsletter. I was recently over at Joe Bob's current website and noticed that he was looking for folks willing to do 'book reviews'. Hell, I'm a Librarian and certainly have free time on my hands, so what the heck.

Anyway, I haven't heard yet if I have a slot, but I wanted to post the review I submitted. To be honest I whipped it off in about 10-15 minutes, so don't expect much. Still I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will get me a gig with Joe Bob once again.

Here's hoping! :-)

The Club Dumas by Arturo Perez-Reverte

Adapted into the film THE NINTH GATE by Roman Polanski (starring Johnny Depp) the book is set in contemporary Europe. The novel deals with the search for a 17th century book, whose publisher was burned alive by the Inquisition. With only three known copies surviving a mass book burning, the manuscript is sort after by various parties, all with their own agendas. Said to have been written and illustrated by Lucifer himself, the book is said to contain a hidden code that will allow a person to conjure the Devil.

The novel’s ‘hero’ Lucas Corso, who makes his living finding and selling old books & manuscripts, becomes involved in a scheme way beyond his abilities. Although not above using some underhanded methods of his own (including thievery and a corrupt policeman) to get his hands on items desired by his employers, and having loyalty only to himself, Lucas is ill-prepared to find himself dealing with murders, conniving widows and a beautiful young student, who is not what she seems at first.

Told by an acquaintance of Corso’s after the fact, and jumping back and forth over months and even centuries, Perez-Reverte has created much more than a simple mystery. In reading the book I was reminded of Umberto Eco’s NAME OF THE ROSE, since you’ll find a copy of a Latin-English dictionary pretty useful. It’s also helpful to have at least a passing knowledge of THE THREE MUSKATEERS and other works by Alexander Dumas to follow the plot, since Corso and others seem almost as interested in detailing the life and writing of that gentleman as they are in finding out whether or not they have a genuine copy of the book or a forgery.

By the halfway point in the novel, you’ll probably know more about not only Dumas, but also the history of bookbinding and Napoleon’s fate than you had ever thought possible. Oh, and did I mention that Corso and his pals like to toss around some Melville when things get boring?

What does the handwritten chapter for a draft of a Dumas book have to do with the suicide of its former owner? Why is his widow first willing to seduce Corso and next trying to kill him? Who is the mysterious stranger with a scar following Corso?

Convoluted and involved barely define the plot of this tale, but I couldn’t put it down. Not only did the story keep me riveted, but it actually inspired me to read up on Dumas to see if the ‘facts’ laid out in the novel were true or not.

Hey, who said that a good liberal education would go to waste?

Not that anybody really cares, of course, but I do have my own opinions on the Oscars (see my previous post).

Quickly, the three films I really enjoyed this year and felt deserving of Oscar consideration were MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING (which I see is being turned into a weekly sitcom), ADAPTATION (with remarkable performances by Meryl Streep and Nicholas Cage) and LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (which should force the Academy to create a new category for CGI/animated Best Actor).

In the weeks to come I'm sure I'll have more to add, but I just wanted to jump on the bandwagon early. :-)

Some mornings I wake up, immediately turn on the news to discover what has gone on since the previous night. Then there are days, like today, when I don't even turn the radio on in the car. You just know that they'll be nothing of any importance or that whatever you hear is just going to depress you for the rest of the day.

For the past week there have only been, apparently, three news stories that have been important enough to garner any more then 30 seconds on any given news program. The "Showdown With Saddam" (I think the networks share a trademark on this but it's possible that the Republican Party gets a kickback everytime it's used), the Columbia disaster (or 'tragedy', depending on which network you happen to be switched to) and Michael Jackson's sanity or lack there of. Personally, I find the last item the more fascinating.

I mean we all know that an American attack on Iraq is only a few weeks from happenening, no matter what either NATO or the UN decides to do (or NOT do). The shuttle accident investigation, like that of the Challenger, will drag on until most of us have forgotten about the thing (after all the Oscar nominations have been announced and we have to make time in the primetime newscast for that), NASA will shuffle folks around and try to cover up anything that could point a finger at any major contractor or executive. The public's perception of Jackson on the other hand is an on-going subject of interest and can easily fill hours of air-time.

Okay, that ends my rant for today. I'll try to be more entertaining next time out, plus I have an actual book review that I want to post.

Later!

It seems like years ago, but once upon a time I was reviewing movies and television shows for Joe Bob Briggs. Back then Joe Bob was publishing an actual newsletter that one could subscribe to and receive the old fashion way. Namely via the U.S. Postal Service. For more than two years I would receive a package containing one or more video tapes, which I would then review and pass along to the next member of the Drive-In Movie Review committee.

I started with horror movies, than on to low-budget films of all types and finally to reviewing releases of television shows and made-for-TV movies. You never knew what you might find, but most of the time you were amazed and sometimes delighted to get the chance to see something that probably fewer than a couple of thousand folks would ever see.

Hell, how many out there ever even heard of CANNIBAL CONFEDERATES, LET'S SHOVE STEPHANIE IN THE INCINERATOR or DEATH TO THE PEE WEE SQUAD?

Anyway, Joe Bob is still doing things right over at his website, THE JOE BOB REPORT. You'll find not only his reviews, but also a great archives of his other writing (and even some guy named John Bloom, whom looks awfully familiar). Try something a little bit different, you won't regret it. I've even made it easy for you by adding a link over on the side.

Steve Bob says check it out!

Well, I really have nothing to add to all of the comments made by folks with better knowledge of the shuttle disaster. I quick skim of other Blogs and websites is overwhelming, so anything I have to say would only repeat what they have already said.

I simply want to say that my thoughts are with the families and friends of those seven astronauts. Sadly, we have (as Americans) have come to see space flight as almost ordinary, ignoring the difficulties and dangers that are all too real for those who put their lives on the line. It is only at times like this and with the earlier Challenger disaster that we stop for a moment in our day and give thought to those brave enough to go where only our imagination has gone before.