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July 19th
Bearing Witness To Sheer
Genius!!! THE DARK
KNIGHT! THE DARK KNIGHT!! THE DARK KNIGHT!!! I bore
witness to the execution of sheer genius while sitting in a movie theater at
9:15am, Friday June 18th. Typically people c
July 12th The Truth About FEDCONUSA!!! With all the shenanigans concerning the failure of FEDCON USA in Dallas and the confusion as to who to believe in this misaligned planning, Dirk Bartholoma, my boss and best friend has finally told his side of the story on the VADERCAST podcast. I personally thought he was a little too nice about all of this but he told it his way and enough has been said. Pan down a bit in the listings and Listen to Dirk's dead on and honest answers to why FEDCONUSA did not work.
Ring*Con 2008!!! With all the psychotic fan behavior, unscrupulous email posters and dictator-like groups out there, it's always nice to know that some of the highest quality of fans come to Germany every year to attend RING*CON and then later on at it's sister convention FEDCON. The farther we get away from the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy movies, the harder it is to maintain it as the only thing R*C was originally created for. Thus for the second year we share the stage with two other fantasy oriented movies: HARRY POTTER and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN. This year's list of guests look especially yummy with a few more to be added later.
Paula's Funny Bone!!! Paula Rhule, my good friend up North, keeps bugging me with these silly jokes. I usually move to delete them before reading them but as the friend that I am to her, I always giver her a chance to make me chuckle. She always succeeds. Nuts!
One day my housework-challenged
husband decided to wash his Sweat-shirt. Seconds after he stepped into the
laundry room, he shouted to me, "What setting do I use on the washing
machine?"
July 5th The Brits Got Their Butts Kicked!!! We didn't like their music so we kicked them out of our country. That's how I saw it 232 years ago when America decided that England had to go. Oh well, that's history now and we're friends. I think I've seen more fireworks on the 3rd and the 4th to last a lifetime. Now it's time to ride a few coasters today or tomorrow. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!
July 3rd
Ain't That
July 1st
The Gate
Walk on Dara Lee!!! On Sunday in Baltimore, I attended the funeral of my lovely first cousin Dara who died last week of an asthma attack. She was dear and wonderful to all of us and she will be missed tremendously. Hold a seat up there for me Dara baby.
June 27th WALL*E!!!! On a score between 1 and 10 (10 being the best), I gave WALL*E a 15. What an incredibly fantastic flick!!! Oh...and the pre-movie, something PIXAR typically does before the feature is sheer genius as well. It's called PRESTO and is a wonderful short about a magician and his rabbit during a performance. WOW!
Why Stress Out?!!!! With all the stress in the world and no signs of it getting better, and if you haven't seen WALL*E yet, thanks to my gal Mim, there's only one way out of this. One thing you can do to make the blue skies come back and the bad governments go away: DANCE!!!
If this doesn't give you a sense of hope for our planet, then you're basically dead inside. If so, go outside and DANCE!!!
June 14th So.........Where's Goldilocks!!!! Three bears in a tree near my home today. News crews everywhere. They won't come down until people leave. I've actually witnessed the momma taking a dump from 60 feet up. That's what I call "talent". Click on the sights. Here's one local news stations pics. Then click on my personal video below.
More to come......
My Friend is Getting Married!!!! STAR TREK'S George Takei was my first ST celebrity friend. I met and jogged with him in Boston over 23 years ago and have seen him off and on since then. Well George and his partner Brad, who I have known for a long time also, will take advantage of California's marriage laws and I have nothing but congratulations to give them. I'm sure if I had been invited to the wedding I would hop a flight and head on out. CONGRATS BRAD!! CONGRATS GEORGE!!! Now who gets to throw the bouquet???
June 14th
THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE!!!!
For t FEDCONUSA is dead and indeed lessons have been learned.
June 13th TIM RUSSERT DEAD!!!! HOLY SMOKES!!! This guy brought back the interest of politics to the American public. He was a FORCE OF NATURE. He died of a heart attack while at work today. Tim Russert had me glued to the tube during the 2004 elections. His battle cry of FLORIDA FLORIDA FLORIDA resonated in the ears of many who thought his prediction of our fair state as the determining factor a farce. We were wrong and he was ALWAYS right!! My god this guy was who I was depending on the most to help me decipher all of the political crap expected this November. I regarded him as the ONLY credible source for election information around. I trusted his words just like I would JFK's or a Martin Luther King, Jr. If anyone needed a "elementary" explanation of what was going on in politics, THIS was the man to listen to. I actually recognized no one else. Tim Russert was managing editor and host of MEET THE PRESS!! he knew his stuff and now I'm seriously loss during the most important election season of my life!!! My GOD!!! Tim Russert dead? No frakkin' way!!!!
June 8th BRAIN CELLS IN MOTION!!!! It's really not worth my time to concentrate on the minds of others. It's worth more of my time to honor those individuals who have sent lovely pms and emails thanking me for being who I am. They recognize others that they prefer not to be and I congratulate them and above all else, THANK THEM. You are a credit to fandom, Fedcon, Germany and most definitely Gene Roddenberry. Rock On!!!
HILLARY CLINTON!!!! What can I say? She "suspended" her candidacy.
VISITORS!!!! I've had a lot of visitors over the past month and they're still coming. German FEDCON/RINGCON friends and a few Brits have been through my doors and it looks as if our almighty dollar is what's doing it to them. Once we bounce back, and we WILL bounce back, I suspect they will be returning the favor. Seems no one is traveling to Europe from here these days and we are the largest supplier of European Travel economies so I guess all in all it's good that their money is coming to us. See, I cheered up my fellow Americans already. Yippee. Gotta go now. My bike needs air in it's tires.
HARRY POTTER!!!! I saw the construction site for the new HARRY POTTER attraction coming to UNIVERSAL STUDIOS next year. Looks to be a big structure from what I can tell. I hope to get a private tour of the job site some time in the future. HARRY POTTER COMES TO ORLANDO.
June 3rd
An Historic Moment!!!!
Barack Obama won the
June 2nd Shuttle Launch!!!! I split up my beach weekend to add a trip out to the Space Coast for the shuttle launch. Got there early and enjoyed the company of the people I met, including a German and Dutch couple in my country for vacation. The shuttle shot up under a cloud of smoke that was truly awesome. A lot better view of it close to the pad than from my front door in Orlando. What a great view. Glad to go and happy that it was flawless. Won't be in town for the next launch so this was a good choice on my part.
The Democratic Process!!!!
I sat in my local STARBUCKS
recently and was close enough to overhear a conversation of "obviously"
Republicans who laughed at the "circus (as said by them) that the Democrats
were going through to pick a
The World's Largest
Swimming Pool!!!! If
you like doing laps in the swimming pool, you might want to stock up on the
energy drinks before diving in to this one. It is more than 1,000
yards long, covers 20 acres, had a 115ft deep end and holds 66 million
gallons of water. Yesterday the Guinness Book of Records named the
vast pool beside the sea in Chile as the biggest in the world. But if
you fancy splashing out on one of your own - and you have the space to
accommodate it - then beware: This one took five years to build, cost nearly
1billion and the annual maintenance bill will be 2million.
Thanks to my friend Paula for
submitting this. Love 'ya!!
May 28th
STAND UP TO CANCER!!!!
In an unprecedented collabora My annual contribution will be first in Atlanta, Georgia in September and then in Laguna Hills, California in December where I will serve as auctioneer for both events. There is an incredibly huge star-studded event planned around next year in California again that I was asked to host. I toured the facility a few weeks ago and was blown away. This will be a huge affair and include many from the Hollywood community. I look forward to it and will keep you up to date on it. Having lost relatives and friends to this deadly disease, it should be everyone's responsibility to prevent it from happening to one of yours. STAND UP TO CANCER.
Website: STANDUP2CANCER.ORG
MOMMY! Let Me In! I Gotta Go!! ONE TOILET?! The International Space Station has one freaking toilet?!! OK...this thing was designed by a single guy who lives in a cave. The sheer thought that being hundreds of miles in space on an orbital SPACE STATION, away from the wife, away from the kids, away from the office and you still have to wait your turn in front of the only crapper miles around, AND IT'S BROKE, is the most ludicrous idea I have ever heard of. I think they should have planned space on that thing for a giant oak too. That way we guys can just mosey on over to that big tree and lift our leg. No no no. The OTHER leg! Funny huh? I keep getting this vision of a mission specialist stooping down to find out what the problem is, only to expose the rest of the crew to BUTT CRACK! Stupid NASA designers.
Whistling Maestro!!!! The guy who created the theme music for such shows as THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW and THE MOD SQUAD has died. He was probably best known for writing and whistling the theme music to one of my favorite shows, THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW. Earle Hagen died Monday at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He was 88 and still whistling his way home.
The Price Hike!!!! Memorial Day had many people doing a "STAY-CATION this year and for obvious reasons. The oil that we gained from Iraq, a fantasy, the high prices on ribs and rib-eye steaks, useless, and the bargain matinees and $5.00 first show movies are becoming increasingly popular. To see a theater full at 10am on a Saturday is unnerving. I typically go to early shows to avoid rude movie-goers but now they are even encroaching on my personal movie time. What is going on? Needless to say the record profits the oil companies have raked in for many years now seems to be going towards their pursuits for alternative fuels. NOT!
Vaughn Armstrong!!!!
Vaughn called me today and
we had an amazing chat. He was returning my call and we chatted about
his return from a conven
GUESTBOOK Abuse!!!!
I've deleted two signings
without opening to
Brian Burgess!!!! One of the best things about THE WOLF BROTHERS is Brian Burgess. An American transplant on German soil, Brian's association with this troupe has been exemplary. With his son Kenny (my main man) and cute daughter Jessie, they make an awesome family. I hope Brian makes it to RC this year and I hope THE WOLF BROTHERS can appear as well. Miss you guys. Maybe we'll hook up at Disney in California in August.
Beach Blast!!!! Heading over to the left coast for a Beach Blast weekend. I love the sunsets there and I haven't been over there in a few months. Time to say my hellos. waverunners and boats and my laptop. Now that's what I call relaxing.
WATCHMEN!!!!
On of the first graphic novels I
had the pleasure of reading was called WATCHMEN.
Wikipedia says this better than I could so read up:
Watchmen is a twelve-issue comic book li AINTITCOOLNEWS.com released a photo of the WATCHMEN when they were known as MINUTEMEN 45 years before the movie's 1985 date. It's impressive as it depicts a superhero movie with actual heroes in tights and capes. Today's standard has been leather (san SPIDER-MAN) but this image says a lot. WATCHMEN is due in theaters next March and I have an interesting feeling about it's progress so far. Much like the one I had for the first MATRIX movie and the TRANSFORMERS. We'll see.
May 27th
This Will Amaze You!!!!
Guess which group:
NBA,
NHL
or NFL?
Neither,
May 26th WHOO-HOO!!!! I've opened a new company that will have an interesting bearing on my other activities. Of course there's no money in it yet but I expect that to change drastically come September. Now I need to get my notary's license. I don't want to have to hire a puncher for legal documents.
300 Million
MARS!!!! NASA's MARS PHOENIX LANDER has landed and are shooting pictures of the surface back to Earth. After many failed attempts, these guys finally got it right. Great job guys!!! I think I watched that launch last year. Can't wait to see more images.
THE SIMPSON RIDE!!!!
Had a chance to ride THE
SIMPSON RIDE
HURRICANE SEASON!!!! It begins June 1st. The predictions are bit higher if not the same as last year's but they were wrong then as well. so, let's hope we get a break from all the freakin' sunshine and get some thunder in here!
Thanks For The Support!!!!
It's absolutely mind
boggling
May 24th
RECOUNT!!!!
If you didn't see HBO's cable movie
RECOUNT, you should. It is well written, well executed and incredibly
cast. Laura Dern should win an Emmy for
May 20th RING*CON 2008!!!! Well, our concentration is now focused on next October's event. Guests we have signed so far are the following:
Space Launches!!!! Well, my research on my invited gigs in the Marshall Islands and New Mexico has been extensive. 40+ hours of flight time is definitely unappealing going to the South Pacific. I'm still deciding whether I need to be there at all. I do agree that the ashes of these special people should be honored in the best way possible but fail to see how my services could elevate that to an already established level. God Speed and let's hope I can get a flight out.
MEMORIAL DAY!!!!
Many friends have invited me to
this and th
Robert Asprin passes!!!!
Seems to be the week for sci-fi
passings. They say it comes in threes and
They're Still Talking
About......!!!!
FEDCON 17!!
AMANDA ALLEN (1958-2008) At 4:45AM this morning, a very huge member of the science fiction community and a dear friend passed on to be with family in heaven. Amanda Allen (seen standing third from left) was an avid costumer and a member of many troupes in display of her wardrobe skills. She was one of "the original ones" who helped introduce me to the convention scene way back when. I still attribute some of what I know from much of what she knew. She was a respected member of a circle of friends and we all could go to her for advice and a huge bit of humor. Amanda had skills we all wished we had and I marveled at the level of detail she had in all of the costuming work she created. She was always available and a beauty to behold. We all knew her and welcomed her when she attended many conventions. She moved to Florida from Maryland not long ago and she and I have been trying to get together for dinner many times. Oh how I am going to miss this woman. Amanda died of cancer but is about to live with happiness. I'll miss you sweetie.
SEX AND THE CITY!!!! They made a movie. Why?
FINALLY!!!! The country of Myanmar has agreed to allow all aid workers into their country. This is a long time coming since those people deserved more of this world's love and care and regimes such as Myanmar should be wiped off the face of the Earth. You wanna ask me WHEN we should invade an evil country? NOW! God bless the people of Burma!
PATRIOTISM!!!!
If there's ever a time to celebrate
the patriotism of a country, it is now. CHINA has sh
Was It Necessary?!!!! Back in the days of STAR WARS, JAWS, CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF THE THIRD KIND, GREASE, and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, storytelling was at it's peak. Special effects were awesome and never-before-seen and drew audiences in by the millions. INDIANA JONES movies came to us with jaw-dropping effects and we liked it. That was 20 years ago. Now INDY's back and I'm not sure if it was necessary. This latest installment has me scratching my head for it had not given me the same effect that I had experienced when I was a kid. This INDY was..........good but........was it necessary. I mean, I didn't leave the theater with a need to see it again. I did with IRON MAN but not with this movie. I suggest you all go and see it for it's a tradition that was created with RAIDERS and it would be a shame not to see a hero we grew up with but........was it necessary. My score: 7 out of 10
May 22nd Time For A Little Smile!!!! Thanks to my sister.
We're off to
see the Wizard!
They finally made it to the Emerald
City ...
Jimmy Carter stepped forward
timidly:
Richard
'Who comes next before the Great and Powerful Oz?' Up stepped Bush and said,
'No problem! said the Wizard.
Consider it done.'
Then there is a great silence in the hall. Bill Clinton is just standing there, looking around,
But he doesn't say a word.
I Hate That Stuff!!!! Alright! One of the things I hate the most on the boob tube is reality shows! AMERICAN IDOL'S last two shows are running now and it's down to the two DAVIDS. Who cares?! That 16 year old David makes me wanna vomit! No way am I going to wrap myself up into seeing who becomes the champ this year. No way. Who cares. Not me. Unh uh. Nope. Got better things to do. WHERE'S THAT FREAKIN' REMOTE?!!!!!!! I KNEW DAVID WOULD WIN! HA!
Who's Got
Happy Birthday John?!!!! My good buddy John Billingsly has a birthday today. I hope you have many more. Happy Birthday buddy.
May 17th
Movie
MARC B. LEE Interview Online!!!!
Alright! If you ever
wanted to get into the head of this guy known as "ME", a very tiny
percentage of it has been p
May 14th Now THERE'S A Ticket!!!! John Edwards endorses Barak Obama and I couldn't think of a better choice for a Vice President. I like John. Liked him when he was with Kerry and I like him now. I like what his wife fights for and I think this could be a one-two punch to McCain should Barak decide to take him with him.
FEDCON 18 Web Site Up and
Running!!!! No do
BACK FROM CALIFORNIA!!!!
CALIFORNIA is a wonderful
state. It's beautiful and the way of thinking there is different than
many here
I HAVE A QUESTION!!!! My beautiful sister has sent me yet another funny bit of questioning for me to post. I wonder what she actually does at work all day.
1. Why isn't the number 11 pronounced onety-one? 2. If 4 out of 5 people SUFFER from diarrhea...does that mean that one out of five enjoys it? 3. Why do croutons come in airtight packages? Aren't they just stale bread to begin with? 4. If people from Poland are called Poles, then why aren't people from Holland called Holes? 5. If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled? 6. Why is a person who plays the piano called a pianist, but a person who drives a racecar is not called a racist? 7. If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for? 8. If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, then doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed? 9. If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it Fed UP? ? 10. Do Lipton Tea employees take "coffee breaks?" 11. What hair color do they put on the driver's licenses of bald men? 12. I thought about how mothers feed their babies with tiny little spoons and forks, so I wondered what do Chinese mothers use. Toothpicks? 13. Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do, write to them? Why don't they just put their pictures on the postage stamps so the mailmen can look for them while they deliver the mail? 14. Is it true that you never really learn to swear until you learn to drive? 15. If a cow laughed, would milk come out of her nose? 16. Whatever happened to Preparations A through G? 17. As income tax time approaches, did you ever notice: When you put the two words "The" and "IRS" together, it spells "THEIRS"?
TRADEGIES LEFT AND RIGHT!!!! Cyclones in Myanmar, earthquakes and child viruses in China, fires in Florida, tornadoes in Oklahoma, Georgia and other states. Gas prices and Bush's unwillingness to suspend National oil reserve increases (idiot!), foreclosures filings up 65% from last year, Hillary crushes Obama in West Virginia. The rate of bad news just keeps on coming.
SPACE LAUNCH HOSTING!!!! My invitation for hosting the two space launches is under scrutiny by myself. I checked the air flight times for travel to the MARSHALL ISLANDS (Space Launch 1) and it looks like it may take 42 hours for me to get there. A flight from Orlando to Houston to Guam to the Micronesian Islands is an incredibly long way. The second flight will happen at the last location I attended in New Mexico. That ones doable. Either way, I'll figure something out to attend at least one of them but the Marshal Islands is still a bit too far.
May 7th 100,000 Dead?!!!! Are they kidding me? Also, a military regime that refuses aid from the outside? Are you STILL kidding me? C'mon Myanmar! Let us help!! The people need it, deserve it and expect it. IT HAS STARTED?!!!! 90 degree temps from now until November!! That's a little exaggerated tho. I'm sure we'll get a few showers to create that sauna effect we so love. Let's face it tho. We have wonderful weather here 99% of the time and I welcome any bad weather we can get when we can get it! The problem is, does 90 degree temps constitute as bad weather?
Lost M
GIVE IT UP HILLARY!!!!
As I have stated months ago,
I wouldn't mind seeing either of these Democratic candidates in the White
House next year but a few antics along the way had me leaning m
May 6th California Bound!!!! The weather here has been incredible. I love the sun but the temps can be a bit abrasive. 90 degree temps all week but I fly to California on Friday where the temps have gotten a bit cooler. Which is good. Having the a/c on in the car burns more gas and the gas prices out there is a lot worse than here so being a bit cooler is great. I hope to do a bit of business for Fedcon, Ringcon and myself while out there so wish me luck.
Coming Soon!!!! The new FEDCON 18 website is up but not open yet.
May 5th
FEDCON USA!!!!
I am still receiving emails
and telephone calls
May 4th
AMAZING!!!!
I've just been told today
that GOLD TICKETS for FEDCON 18, a convention that is abo
Accidents In The Home!!!!
Most accidents happen in the
home. You hear it all the time. People slipping in the tub,
running into doors, slamming fingers, etc. The most detail oriented
person makes mistakes, even when they know what a stupid slip
UNTIL I SAW THE SPARKS! Big Sparks! Exciting sparks! In fact, I think the 4th of July would be envious!! I like my cup! LIKED.....my cup!
$200 Million Worldwide!!!!
Another movie I predicted to
Wanna hear my other predictions? Look out for INDY, BATMAN, WALL*E, HANCOCK, HELLBOY 2, and WANTED.
May 1st A 10!!!! Just got in from seeing IRON MAN and all I can say is if you don't see this brilliant movie, you're an idiot. Sorry for being blunt but it's incredible. Also, stay until the credits are over. Comic book geeks will pee in their pants!
The Most Unpopular!!!! George Bush has just been listed as the most unpopular President in American history by a CNN poll. What else is new?
April 29th
BIG PROBLEM!!!!
Just got a call about 30
minutes ago. Seems the
My Sister Emailed Me A Joke!!!!
The
Wal-Mart Greeter
The Wal-Mart Greeter said pleasantly, 'Good morning and welcome to Wal-Mart. Nice children you have there. Are they twins?'
The woman stopped yelling long enough to say, 'No they ain't! The oldest one's 9 and the other one's 7. Why would you think they're twins? Are you blind, or just stupid?'
FEDCON Hasn't Cooled Down
Yet!!!! If you have
Real Have I Told You It's IRON WEEK Yet?!!!! Tomorrow night I will be in comic geek heaven. Comics were my life when I was a kid and even though I do not read them now as much as I did then, I still keep tabs on what's being produced by Hollywood for my little squealing fanboy loins! IRON MAN begins for me tomorrow night. They'll make two more after this and I'll wait for those too. Have I told you it's IRON WEEK yet? No? *weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee*
FEDCON Vi |
an
be blinded by illogic when recognizing the abilities of actors simply
because they are dead. The guilt and sympathy pains guide their reasoning
causing them to recite in unison "OSCAR! OSCAR!" Heath Ledger's
performance in THE DARK KNIGHT sets aside that line of thinking by
showing us genuine brilliance from a sheer genius who had been taken
from us. I was astounded at the range this actor portrayed. Pay attention to
his lip licking performance and you may notice a few inside jokes and acts
that only geniuses can insert in their work. Not only does Mr. Ledger
deserve a statue for his work, we the fans (not of Ledger, but of motion
picture performances) DEMAND IT! Kudos to all involved in the
execution of THE DARK KNIGHT and especially to the standout
performances by others such as CHRISTIAN BALE, GARY OLDMAN and
AARON ECKHART. This was a thinking man's movie and thank the gods for
finally giving us one. It's been way too long.
The
Truth!!! Thanks a lot
Paula Rhule. Maybe we can use their corn.
Is Open, Don!!! DON S.
DAVIS, known for his roles in TWIN PEAKS and most recently, STARGATE SG-1,
has passed on. He was living in Vancouver where the STARGATE series
are filmed. He was 65 and suffered a massive heart attack. I'll
miss him.
he
past few days, I have been fielding phone calls from actors, agents and
fans. there concern was whether FEDCONUSA was legitimate or what.
Well, once I maintained constant surveillance of things that were currently
happening, I surmised that a bigger problem was about to surface........and
so it did. After one day of being open, FEDCONUSA canceled its
convention today (Saturday) at around 11:15am. Now I can go on ranting
and raving about this shrewd behavior but I suggest you catch up on what
transpired .
nomination
for Democratic candidate for the Presidency. I've waited a long time
to say that and an even longer time to attach it to an African-American.
This is an historic moment in the history of a country with its numerous
problems. At a time when we were hunted down and hung from trees, it
would have been in the farthest area of a young Black man's mind to ever
imagine such a thing as what has happened today. Of course there are
those select groups who would still prefer to see us still hanging from
those trees, but that is a faction long condemned by those of religious and
intelligent fortitudes. slavery and the overacts of racism that has
taken the lives of so many promising African-American men have during many
occasions, been swept under the rug as unfortunate incidents. Only a
select few of those murders have stood out as either horrific or symbolic.
Now we have a long way to go. We have to defeat a man who's values
parallel those of our worst President in United States history and we cannot
allow this man to hold office, only to continue with the deaths and the
economy that has so symbolized a Bush Presidency. As for an Obama
running mate, Hillary would seem the logical choice but her campaign left a
bit of a sour taste in my mouth. It's almost as if during the dawn of
defeat, she is demanding to be put on the ticket. I understand that
this is about the party, about the people, but who exactely will be running
this Presidencey? Obama, Hillary or Bill? I am torn between
wanting to see the right thing done. i hope the right choice is made,
for the sake of this country and the world who is watching and hoping that
America can maintain it's leadership. My fingers are crossed and my
heart is to the heavens for a brighter future.
candidate. I wanted to get up and say to them that if they knew
anything of our country's history, and the processes needed to obtain a fair
and just solution to sometimes fair and unjust occurrences they would have
understood why we do what we do and by doing so, build a country, a
constitution and not to mention the Declaration of Independence. To
ridicule a political procedure in the face of a current failed
administration is hypocritical by a party I never had a lot of respect for
and have caused more damage to the country than Charles
Manson has done to a household. Ignorance couples stupidity and I've
seen and heard from more blatant Republicans trying to shield the failed and
stupidly elected administration currently seated in Washington. I
welcome this level of democratic process each and every time it is initiated
if it will maintain the values we all demand especially if Washington
disagrees. I disagreed with Bush's first process to steal that office
but I lived with it. This is America!!!
tion,
all three major television networks will donate one hour of simultaneous
commercial-free primetime this fall in an effort to raise money for cancer
research. For
over 7 years, I have done my part in two states and will continue to do so
this September and December. The broadcast, "Stand Up To Cancer," will
air on Sept. 5 on ABC, CBS and NBC and will feature live performances by
recording artists and movie and film stars who will, along with the evening
news anchors from each of the networks, deliver information about
potentially life-saving cancer research. While the three networks have
engaged in similar collaborations in the past - including after the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina - the one-hour, commercial-free
benefit they will stage on Sept. 5 is the first such effort in recent memory
that will not follow a natural catastrophe.
tion
in Italy. It was his first there and raved about the fans over there.
I told him our friend Lolita emailed me yesterday to tell me she was off to
Greece with Conner and Dom. Told Vaughn he should have got in that
deal too. His opinions and ability to "see thru the crap" is
refreshing because I thought I was the only one who could do that. We
revisited our EBB discussion I had with him earlier and he had some
interesting thoughts. Vaughn gave me some great advice and we both
laughed at the things we have to go through with people sometimes.
We're scheduled to talk again and it's always good when we do. Call me
anytime Vaughn and hello to your lovely wife. I remember her well.
read
them today. Seems the wackos have emerged from under their rocks so if
you plan to sign the book, email me first and I'll open it to read it.
If I already did to one of the two today, please tell me when you do it
again. Eventually the sickos will get a clue. On another note,
thanks again from the impressive amount of solidarity mail received lately.
I still think you should confront the ones you have a problem with. I
basically am having a good time laughing and ignoring it all. Either
way, I respect your reasoning. Thanks for the mail. It's not
necessary but it's nice to know you care. Cheers.
mited
series written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. Originally
published by DC Comics as a monthly limited series from 1986 to 1987, it was
later republished as a trade paperback, which popularized the "graphic
novel" format. To date, Watchmen remains the only graphic novel to win a
Hugo Award,
and is also the only graphic novel to appear on Time Magazine's 2005 list of
"the 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to the present."
Worldwide!!!! INDIANA
JONES kicked butt as I predicted it would at FEDCON. Didn't hurt that
there was virtually no competition and it opened on an economy-poor Memorial
Day weekend (including Thursday). Even if the script was a bit lacking
with unbelievable scenes and dialog, it still rated a 7 out of 10 for me.
Now talk is another one with Shia LeBouf as the lead. Bad idea.
Leave well enough alone George! Leave well enough alone.
(your stuff is coming Batch) and I have to honestly say that it
was........pretty good. The ride is in the same building as the old
BACK TO THE FUTURE ride and follows the same technology as that former ride
but with obvious improvements. You sit in a car like BTTF and your
propelled through a 3-D sort of chase through Krusty's park and Springfield.
Bumps and rolls and dips just like the former ride are present in this one.
All in all, I give it a 8 out of 10. Go check it out.
how
much mail I have received concerning recent developments. I only wish
you would say them out loud but honestly, it means more to me that you feel
the same way I do and tell me privately then make yourselves a target for
these people. It's pretty sad but funny in the same respect.
Surprising mail from G7 people and others who read but never post.
Nice to have such great alliances and I hope we can talk when I see you all
again. It's all about the fans and at least you had the guts to ask
questions and not believe everything you read from these types of
individuals. Thank your parents for me. They did a good job and
I really appreciate your point of view from those who had interesting
opinions. I'll keep them in mind. Some of them are illegal tho.
<lol>. 
her portrayal of KATHERINE HARRIS who was Florida's Secretary of State.
As someone who voted in that election and followed the circus throughout the
5 weeks before the wrong guy got into office, I was riveted to my television
set, reliving the names and terminology (hanging chad) used in this program.
It was awesome to receive yet more information that I had already received
first hand as a resident of Florida. Regardless of whether this fiction
based on fact, if any of it was inflammatory or downright incorrect, the
opposing side would be all of the media. Guess what? They
weren't. Florida is so backwards in their thinking on issues that I
couldn't begin to bore you with but when it came to an issue that involved
the entire world, we were center stage during that time. Bush stole
the Presidency and the majority of the world, not the country and not the
State of Florida, but the world. 20,000 people who's names "sounded
similar" to convicted felons were turned away from the polls in Florida and
half of them were African Americans. 8 years later and it still stings
and we still got that guy in office. Now look what we are paying for.
The guy that was suppose to have one received a Nobel Peace Prize and an
Academy Award and the guy that occupies his office still can't spell.
With consideration of putting another Republican in office after what we've
been thru for 8 years still floats thru your mind, I'd rather YOU go there
than any other Republican knucklehead. Time to regain our honor folks.
ere
but I have a long standing tradition of never traveling on holidays.
Everyone else is already out there moving at 10 miles an hour on the
freeways, looking for that bare patch of sand on the beaches and crowding
the movie theater parking lots. Why the heck would I want to join
that? I find joy of taking my date to the beach during the week and
driving in off peak hours. I never follow the crowd so I'll celebrate
MEMORIAL DAY honoring our soldiers in front of a tube or at a backyard
barbecue with my buddies. The rest of you can have the parks and the
traffic.
this
is the second bit of news I found on my machine when I came in today.
I met Robert over the years at various cons and he was to speak at MARCON
this weekend. From Wikipedia: Robert Lynn Asprin (born June 28, 1946 –
died May 22, 2008) was an American science fiction and fantasy author best
known for his humorous MythAdventures series. Asprin began to chronicle the
comic adventures of Skeeve and Aahz in the "MythAdventures" series.
Originally illustrated by Frank Kelly Freas, and later by Phil Foglio, the
highly pun-driven books follow a "demon" magician who has lost his powers
and his inexperienced human apprentice as they travel through a variety of
worlds in pursuit of wealth and glory. Some of the early "Myth" novels were
later adapted as comic books by Foglio and others. You can read more on his
life and his death 
An
event that people are still bringing to the forefront. I know it makes
others angry. Others who were banned from attending for crimes against
humanity. This "join
our
sect"
mentality has been ignored by the handful of people who hilariously visit
the "evil board" to listen to the
racist
and
angry
jargon they spew. Complaining is in their blood and if you are not with
them, then you are against them....or so they preach. Luckily,
the intelligent ones email me to tell me they don't join in or listen to
such Manson-mentality. Good for them!!! True fans of the sci-fi genre
recognize the humanity of science fiction and what it tries to teach us.
True fandom has embraced those who want a better world and not
self-identification like some shameless gr
oups
who have tried to push their brand of negatism on others. European
fandom exemplifies the differences between right and wrong and many of those
believers come to FEDCON to demonstrate it. FEDCON fandom is
incredible with quality people in attendance. I remain proud of the
people I know there and partake in the enjoyment they so rightly deserve.
They still come and they remain.......FEDCON.
own
a "different" level of patriotism outside of the communist mentality that
they are used to. They are patriotic towards the victims of the
earthquake their country has suffered in the past weeks. With a death
toll over 80,000 souls, this country has come together in an effort to
secure the life they once knew. Stories of policewomen breast feeding
orphaned babies to countrymen ready to adopt other children who have lost
their parents in the tragedy is indeed heartfelt. China! You may be a
communist country but you are a resident of this world's community.
God bless.
Nixon stepped forward, and said: 
Reviews!!!!
Two short and sweet opinions on
movies I caught
recently.
THE CHRONICLES
OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN is
a 8 out of 10 for me. It's nice to see a movie better than the
first one although I have fond memories of the last one. It was also
good to see my good buddy SHANE RANGI in the role of the werewolf!
Shane will be at RING*CON in October. This movie played out to my taste.
The review from my local newspaper was definitely wrong!
SPEED RACER
rocked!! I thought it was an excellent send-up of the cartoon and the
casting was perfect........except maybe for Racer X. Matthew Fox of
LOST fame was a bit...."narrow"....than the Racer X from the cartoon series.
I give SPEED RACER a solid 8.75 out of 10.
ubt
the best convention of its type, FEDCON GmbH has opened it's new website for
next year's event. With GOLD TICKETS already sold out, fan judgment on
what they need from their money's worth has been demonstrated. Great
seats are still available for next year's event and if you're planning to
come, I suggest you get on the stick! There's nothing like this event
in Europe. Don't believe me? Go see for yourself.
in the East. There's a heck of a lot of money there and the homes that
I visited blew my mind. I spent time in LA and Anaheim and Newport
Beach. All business and fun but the weather wasn't the greatest.
A bit cool and cloudy but when the sun burned thru, it made for a wonderful
afternoon. I participated in an
AIDS WALK at ANGELS STADIUM
and got to walk around the infield. 8000 participants walked with
pride and it ended up being a huge party. Afterwards, I was invited to
tour a refinished Victorian home a c
ouple
was doing. Both Paul and Joe were wonderful hosts and the house was
amazing. I also explored a venue for a huge celebrity event I am
involved in for next year. Can't expose much about
that yet because it's too important to ruin now. Keep your ears
perked. Had fun touring Newport Beach. What a beautiful
community. The ocean butts up against it and you can feel a sort of
ocean-lovers' life in the air around there. Went to
DISNEYLAND on Sunday and was not impressed. I think Central Florida
corners the market on DISNEY. I was very much impressed with their
DOWNTOWN DISNEY. It's definitely much better than Orlando's. I'm
meeting a few Germans here in town next week. They picked the right
DISNEY to explore. Anyway, back home to many calls
and emails and the opening of a
new business
of mine. Yippee!!!
y
Cool Today!!!! I lost
my cool on a young lady today and although I think she deserved some of it,
she didn't deserve ALL of it. She's a fan on the Fedcon board who
insists on having a musical act attend FEDCON next year. I agree with
her choice. I tried to relay the facts to her and we both
misinterpreted the other's explanation but I responded in a way I am known
to when attacked verbally. I don't apologize at the way I handled it
but I do apologize for what I said to her. Most people know of my
temper and the fact that I do not back down from any fight: physically or
mentally. She was kind enough to pm me her thoughts and I responded in
a cordial manner. I hope she accepts my apologies. It was in bad
taste.
ore
towards one candidate than the other. Look! The Rev. Wright
controversy has caused a loss in points for Obama, but ye who is without
sin, cast the first stone. What I mean by that is not everything you,
your family, your friends or even your pastor you are going to agree with.
Why did Obama stay in the church if Rev. Wright spewed such inflammatory
words about my country and a few other things? Because I have always
been a fan of independent thought! We, the news hungry media seeking
public, have only heard sound bites the media wants you to concentrate on.
I'm sure that in the 20 years or so Obama has been a member of that church,
he has exercised his right not to believe or entertain various thoughts from
a pastor he happens to respect. You yourself have done the same so d
on't
sit there and deny it. How many of you have listened or laughed at a
racial, religious or other derogatory remark just to save face with your
friends who are telling it? Have you ever walked away from it or did
you in fact stay and maybe added your own derogatory joke to the stew.
Never claim you are better than someone if you yourself had shown tolerance
to the ignorance that surrounds you. I'm as guilty as any of you.
I have heard my white friends crack jokes about other races, not just my
own, and like an idiot, I smiled. Obama chose to answer Rev. Wright's
comments but if I was a member of this Democratic society known as the
United States of America, I would make my own choice on who I would like to
sit in the Oval Office...........and I have. Guess what? I used
my brain when I did it too. As for the topic of this segment, Hillary
give it up! You lend your own campaign money. The Indiana voters
came very very close to saying thanks but no thanks and I find you to
aggressive and illogical to hold the office of President in this great
country. I'd love to see you as VICE, but let's face reality please.
from
fans, agents, competitors and a few others about this event. I cannot
determine the best way to address this other than on my site. I will
make this clear once again and hope that these inquires cease before I
decide to take a more aggressive stand on my non-involvement but in the
meantime, let's make this simple.
I
nor DIRK BARTHOLOMA
are NOT, I repeat IS NOT
involved or in any way associated with the people behind the FEDCON USA event
in DALLAS!!! We have given them permission to use our name for this
year and this year only! Our contributions to fandom does not include
this event and the press should make sure that they note that in their
reporting. It's very easy to quote. I suggest that if you want
to know how well the event will be handled, GO TO IT but DO NOT ASK ME AGAIN
why I or Dirk are not involved for you will receive the same answer.
Good luck and have fun!
nly
the GOLD TICKETS. The most expensive ones. There's plenty of
seats left but I wouldn't wait if you want "next" to the "best" seats.
No guests have been announced and no programming have been worked out but
this is a convention that keeps on giving. GOLD TICKETS are gone and
if you intend on purchasing your tickets, do it now. The
of FEDCON 17 picked up over 800 registrations for FEDCON 18. This was
DURING FC17!!! THE FIRST DAY!!! There's more to attending a
FEDCON than the guests it has. Obviously hundreds of people agree.
I suppose the main hotel is sold out also but I haven't checked. You
might want to so you better get a move on if you want to be a part of
FEDCON 18, May 1-3, 2009.
up
could cause them. No one ever expects an accident to happen to them
but nonetheless, you should always be careful. Let me tell you about
mine. I have this really cool cup. I'm not sure where I got it
but it's red on the outside. Shiny red. Really really shiny red.
I like my cup. I really really do. So, the cup I typically use
to drink my tea in is NOT this cup. Somehow, I "accidentally" grabbed
THIS cup, filled it with water and placed it in the microwave. All of
my cups are microwaveable...................................except THIS cup.
Remember? This cup was shiny. Really shiny. Wanna know
what makes it so shiny? It's the metallic foil-type paint on the
outside. Did you hear me? Hello? I said
METALLIC
and FOIL
in the same sentence. I like my cup. It's so shiny. The
microwave thought so too. In fact, as I reached out to press the start
button, I could have sworn that s.o.b. smiled at me. Couldn't really
figure out why though until............................................
be
a hit........IS A HIT!!! In it's first weekend. COMINGSOON.NET
reports IRON MAN raked in $104 million domestically making it the 10th
biggest opening of all-time and the fourth biggest for a superhero movie.
Although Iron Man had a big opening, overall business was down 15% from the
same weekend last year, when Spider-Man 3 had its record debut of $151.1
million.
people
who were behin
d
the launch of 
ke
Island, to which it lays claim. It was probably the biggest honors
paid to me last year and an event I'll never forget. I was in the
presence of astronaut wives, scholars, generals and commanders of military
bases, witnessed a missing man formation from the nearby WHITE SANDS MISSILE
RANGE Air Force and family and friends. ever think about those once in
a lifetime events in your life and this one ranks up there in mine. I
hope I can do a good job once again.
Player
installed on your computer, you'll enjoy