11/29/06: MORE GREAT NEWS...THE ARDY VANSTARR ADVENTURES RELATED!

Whoa...how many posts am I slapping up here this week? You'd almost think I had time to think and put coherant thoughts together, but that is most definitely NOT the case, heh.

Anyway, I figured EVERYONE would like to see what JK RADTKE is up to with ARDY, and The Ardy Vanstarr Adventures, and this morning, when I looked in my email inbox, I saw just that... two new pieces of art, one of which I'm going to display here (unless JK tells me to take it down... but until then, its going up because I'm really excited about it!)

So without further adeui...

Post comments!

11/29/06: DEAD SONJA: SHE-DEVIL WITH A SWORD SHIPS TODAY!!!

That's right folks, I'm not an out of work writer today! Today I have a hit parody book on BETTER comic book store shelves! As the book cover states: 48 Blood Covered pages, ALL KILLER, NO FILLER!

And that's just what it is. I want to thank Chris Crosby for setting me up with Freddie J Blatant III and Robert Blatant. I REALLLLLLY want to thank Owen Gieni (the art director and part 2 artist, as well as the former artist of the HIT SERIES Landis), AP Furtado (the artist of part one and hit books like Elf N Troll and serials in Heavy Metal) and Remy "Eisu" Mokhtar (the artist of part three and at least one Keenspot title I'm silly for forgetting). Without you folks, this book wouldn't be as beautiful as it was.

Let's be honest, nobody buys a parody book for the story, they all buy it for the gorgeous artwork, and I have to flat out state that this is one of the BEST looking parody books I've ever been associated with, though a close second was EboniX-Men/EboniX-Files with art by the aforementioned AP Furtado and Rob Nikolakakis.

I am really proud of this book, and if you CAN NOT find a copy, PLEASE, let me know, I'll be more than happy to strangle a few people in attempts to fulfill demand, and I will be offering signed copies through here as soon as I have them available.

Also, feel free to drop by the LANDIS forum and drop a note about what you thought about the book, as I'd really enjoy feedback from everyone.

Thanks so much!

11/27/06: Remembering Dave Cockrum...

You know, alot of people will tell you when they met this creator that he was a...hmm...well, not a nice man. However, that's NOT what I'm going to tell you.

I met Dave and his wife once, at the 2005 Heroes Convention, since it was the only show he and I both went to that year (and was the only show I went to this year, and I think for him as well). It was weird meeting him, because it was during his time on his little scooter that he was going around the convention floor, and I almost stepped in front of him, stopping to make sure we were both okay, heh.

I looked at him and immediately knew who he was, and in fact, the first thing out of my mouth was, "Sorry, Dave, I should watch where I'm going better..." to which he replied...

"Do I know you?"

Making me realize that I made the same mistake I seem to with everyone in the comic industry...thinking we're already friends based on the years of collecting their work. I'm sure stalkers justify this, but I apologized, and introduced myself as a local creator and handed him some sample pages, explaining that I didn't bring any books with me to get signed because I never really collected signed books.

I talked to him for about 10 minutes or so in the middle of the convention floor, asking how his health was, what his travel was like, and how he and Patty were doing. By the end of the conversation he told me to make sure I watch where I am going and pat me on the back.

Looking back, when you live through something like that, its almost mystifying, realizing that you are speaking candidly at a pioneer in your favorite industry. In video gaming, it'd be like talking to Harai or Miyomoto, people that truly stand out in the industry...

Here was was, a man that created the look for Storm and created Nightcrawler, and I was picking his brain, but not about comic stuff, about things that "mattered" in larger scale.

In a way I miss him more than other creators that have passed on, because he touched a little piece of me, and I hope before he left, I touched a little piece of him, too.

Finally tonight, here's a piece of NIGHTCRAWLER drawn by Travis Charest, as it was done for a Dave Cockrum donation book to help him cover his expensive costs for his diabetes. Have a nice night folks.

11/25/06: Got my PS3, a little other stuff and more.

So, I got my PS3, I got Resistance: Fall of Man, and though I think its a really cool game, it isn't my kind of game, meaning, the ONLY saving grace for the system so far is the fact that it can play HD movies...ON BURNED DVDS.

That's right. Anyone who didn't know that the PS3 was a non-region format system missed out. It allows for 4 types of video formats, and in most situations, can do a 720p movie on about a 4.4gb setup (meaning a DVD) and show it in all its glory. This is A HUGE thing, since it was probably something they at Sony overlooked when making the non-region coded system.

I'm not one for pirating software, but the fact that you can use a pay site and download movies and whatnot is awesome.

So today we did a heck of a lot of business, and it was really tiring, but I'm still up a total of 5 hours before I have to get up again to be at work tomorrow. Why? can't sleep. Was playing WII sports for a while and love it...the game is just so perfect. I just wish the company I work for would allow me to take my copy and place it into the system at work, because it would show (MUCH BETTER) than EXCITE TRUCK, exactly WHY you want a Wii.

I'm trying to write more on this blog recently, but I've been working so much that it makes it harder. I know with the contract I signed for KEENSPOT, I have to write at least once a week, and I'm attempting to.

I want to know what everyone else thinks of the Wii and PS3, since the premiums they are going for online probably isn't necessary, since they'll be readily available in March-ish...with Wii having more unit sales that either the 360 or the PS3 by then. (Just speculation on that one).

so tomorrow is Notre Dame AT USC for ND's final regular season game...and they get no love. YES...they lost by 24 to Michigan, but doesn't anyone remember that Michigan is a top 10 team? What about the 2 point loss for USC by ORegon State? Two points? Sorry, they were down by 21 in that game and made it close...I DO NOT buy the fact that they are looked at as the second best team.

Notre Dame struggled against Michigan and against UCLA, but are 1-1 in those games. They lost to a team that was then rated #2...USC lost to an UNRANKED team...what does this mean? Notre Dame SHOULD be HIGHER rated than USC, since the only team they lost to is respectibly better, and USC struggled against sub-par Stanford, Washington and lost to UNRANKED Oregon State...UNRANKED! I'd rather see Michigan get another shot at the NCAA title...or Florida, who's only loss is to a top 25 team...but Notre Dame's loss to a #2 team should put them higher than ANY TEAM that lost to an UNRANKED TEAM.

SCREW ESPN for their love of Pete Carroll and what he's done with USC...what'd he do with the Jets? Oh yeah...shit. Screw them for their bias against Notre Dame, who in the last 4 weeks DID NOT face two teams with two wins or less like Ohio State and Michigan...and let's be serious here...

Brady Quinn is going HIGHER in the draft than Troy Smith...and when Troy Smith FUMBLES twice in the biggest game of the year (CAUSING TURNOVERS)...in the Heisman Chase...it gets overlooked. But Brady Quinn has one bad game in two years, and suddenly he's out... Who cares if he throws for more yards, higher completion percentage, less ints, it's all about the NEGATIVE BIAS towards Notre Dame.

Give me a break. Quinn created names like STOVALL (in the NFL now), FASANO (in the NFL now), Samardjia (first round pick next year), Carlson (first TE to be picked when he leaves) and took a team that was mediocre at best and helped make it one of the most potent Offense's out there. You are NOT going to tell me that Troy Smith did the same.

Sorry, you can't. He walked in and stayed in the same system all along.

Now if you want to tell me the reason we don't want to see Notre Dame vs. Ohio State again is because Ohio State would trounce them...I might agree with you, but when you are an idiot at ESPN saying the "ONLY matchup worth the hyps is USC vs. Ohio State" you are mistaken. Ohio State is CLEARLY #1, but then let the BEST one loss team face them...Notre Dame (lost to #2) or Florida (lost to Arkansas) play for the title...early losses don't mean as much as late losses...so let'm figure it out.

Now if USC BEATS ND, then its a different ballgame, because THEN USC has beaten a top 5 team.

11/22/06: WII Review

Well, I was finally able to get my hands on a NINTENDO WII, and I have to say that I'm OVERLY impressed with the overall performance, ease of use and the selection of games.

The Wii-mote and Nunchuk controllers take little if no time to get used to, and if you turn the sensitivity all the way up, are seamless in their movement and ease. Once you pick these up and get to play something like Zelda with them, you don't want to turn back to the conventional controller of the 360.

The graphics are nicer looking than the gamecube, if you have an HD tv, and a component cable will be available before Christmas to give the system 480p graphics, however, this system IS NOT ABOUT GRAPHICS...

For the first time EVER, my wife wants to play. She loves Wii Bowling from the Wii Sports lineup, and I have to say, if it has her wanting to game, then it is DEFINITELY moving in the right direction.

For cosmetics and all, this system is small, quiet and overall not an eyesore. The interface (the WiiChannels) are extremely easy to use, and with the browser coming in the near future, I can see myself checking my GMail account from it, rather than going to the computer to do it.

Nintendo hit the mark on this one, folks...its no wonder everyone is now looking for one.

SOLID 8 out of 10

11/17/06: PS3 sale...?

Just so everyone knows...my buddy, FUBAR, is selling his PS3...OBVIOUSLY, I AM UNABLE to PLAY OR SELL mine, since I am not ALLOWED to get one on the initial shipment even though my wife was FIRST IN LINE, but I thought I'd throw out a bone quick for Fubar, since he's trying to help the masses by NOT having a reserve price on his PS3...

check out the auction at:

http://cgi1.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MakeTrack&item=190052677434&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:us

Help out if you want to at least attempt to get one.

Thanks.

11/17/06: PS3 sale...?

Just so everyone knows...my buddy, FUBAR, is selling his PS3...OBVIOUSLY, I AM UNABLE to PLAY OR SELL mine, since I am not ALLOWED to get one on the initial shipment even though my wife was FIRST IN LINE, but I thought I'd throw out a bone quick for Fubar, since he's trying to help the masses by NOT having a reserve price on his PS3...

check out the auction at:

http://cgi1.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MakeTrack&item=190052677434&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:us

Help out if you want to at least attempt to get one.

Thanks.

11-14-06: Prestige, PS3, and more...

Hello all.

First we'll start with the not so good news. SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT of AMERICA sent EB/Gamestop the amount of orders for the Playstation 3, and lets just say they were less than stellar. I'm not slamming MY company with this statement, but imagine having to tell people that you DO NOT expect to be able to fill their order until possibly the 24th of December.

The thing that bugs me about this is simple. I pre-ordered one. In fact, my wife waiting in the morning until I opened up and was the first person there. Now to avoid problems with picking it up, I made sure that both of our names had been added to the listing. NOW...NOW I'm being told I can't pick it up. "No employees will be allowed to pick theirs up one day one," was the statement I received from the company, to which I say this is unfair. The amount of people picking these up on day one and selling them on EBAY is about 90% of the initial orders, and we all know it. However, an employee would lose his job if he placed it on EBAY...meaning...the employee who ordered one is more likely to be the beneficial customer you want to have pick a unit up.

Anyway, just figured I'd vent that.

Christy and I went to see THE PRESTIGE last night, Chris Nolan's first film since Batman Begins. Let me start by saying I enjoyed it, though it ran a little long. The casting was terrific, as if any time Michael Caine is cast he isn't money right now, but Jackman and Bale really gave you that Batman vs. Wolverine feel that you wanted to see. Its just too bad that in some cases bullets were used instead of batarangs and birdcages were used instead of claws.

Throughout the movie, there was a competitive nature, but it was a very sad film. It was all about seeing who was the better magician, but never who was the better man. It was really interesting to see these characters in such a world where CPR is unavailable, and seeing how they cope with the anguish of everything going on.

The idea that a magician only sells his trick AFTER he retires was pretty cool of a plot point, as well, since both of these men grew on obsession, and neither would quit until one of them was declared the victor.

While not spoiling the end, the movie takes a "Sixth Sense" approach, but one that unfortunately should be spotted right away.

Nolan goes more for his melodrama of MEMENTO than his visual wizardry of BATMAN BEGINS in this film, and that's part of the reason I feel I enjoyed it so much. He keeps you thinking, but again, I felt dropped too many clues about the end well before it ended. Towards the end, it seems to feel like its running long, but you forgive him for tying up the plot.

I liked it, and would recommend it to anyone that has enjoyed his movies.

11/8/06: Court Case...Closed.

Well, anyone still reading and looking for an update on the personal life end of things has to wait, NO MORE. I was convicted of DWI (though the level of DWI is undisclosed) with a suspended license for one year, 24 hours of community service, a class for an hour placed by MADD and 20 hours of alcohol assessment classes.

Luckily, I've been able to postpone everything until the end of the holiday season (besides the loss of license), but my lawyer was able to make sure that I got a fully provisional license, and not have the interlock device (the blower to make sure you aren't drinking and driving) installed.

While it was a win (no interlock), it was also a loss (conviction). I had the possibility of going for a full not guilty, but it looked as though the judge was going to go with the DA's side, even though they had no proof I was driving, they felt the case was strong enough, so I admitted to driving, and they saw that I was not the type that would be a detriment to society...

Anyway, that's what's up with all that. Thanks to anyone and everyone who said they hoped things would work out...its a little depressing, but it looks like I'll make it through...

Now I just have to figure out how to pay for my car insurance.

Later all!