I was just reading excerpts from The Sports Guy's length 8 hour marathon chat session on ESPN and it linked to this great speech from Jim Valvano, the former coach of NC State, who upset University of Houston (Hakeen the Dream!) in the 1983 NCAA tourney.
Jim Valvano had cancer when he gave this speech accepting the ESPY Arthur Ashe Award in 1993. I remember seeing a clip of it (we didn't get ESPN live feeds back then) and after viewing it again, it is a nice reminder of the things that are important in our lives. Enjoy.
Click here.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Juicy Pic of the Joker...
I have always liked comic books. There I said it. In the year of the geek, an announcement like this is nothing to be ashamed of. Before I continue, I would like to be clear that I love books. I love reading. I enjoy good literature.
However, I always thought comics were unjustifiably put down by the general public. I only really got into comics in grade seven. That was the year when Batman The Movie came out. The one directed by Tim Burton. The one with the comical Joker played by Jack Nicholson. The one that I thought miscast Michael Keaton, but after viewing the movie, thought that he did a good job. I remember going to see that movie with my dad and afterwards he bought me a graphic novel called "The Dark Knight Returns".
This story written by Frank Miller (of "300" and "Sin City" fame) was about Batman returning back as a old man set in an apocalyptic future set in Gotham City. I never knew comics could be so dark and create such a complex story full of character development. Miller's Batman was an enigma, wracked with psychological despair from witnessing his parent's murder. Through the rejuvenation of his crime fighting career, we witness Batman's unwavering vision of his truth ultimately juxtaposed against the American virtues embodied by Superman. Plus Batman and Superman's fight kicks some massive butt.
There are so many complex issues tackled in this seminal work in terms of graphic novels. The grim tone and story structure has been mimicked and aped by so many other comic writers since.
I know comics are purely fantasy, but the best comics tackle the same sort of themes that, dare I say, Shakespeare does. Doing the right thing? Spiderman. Prejudice? X-Men. Tragic love? Daredevil and Elektra. It is no mistake that some of today's most popular shows are simply stealing ideas from comics. And the popularity of shows like Lost and Heroes, simply proves that the themes from comics speak to people. And the improvement of special effects has allowed the visions of Stan Lee (this guy is THE MAN when it comes to comics... can you believe he created The Fantastic Four, Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, X-Men AND Spiderman... what a resume!) to flourish on the screen. Spiderman and X-men proved to be a box office hit.
Which brings me to "Batman Begins". The Batman franchise was ruined by Joel Schumacher and no one remembers the ugly mess that involved George Clooney as Batman. I mean, that Batman suit had nipples! When I learned that Christopher Nolan was restarting the franchise I was excited. When Christian Bale was cast as Bruce Wayne, I became very eager to see this movie. It did not disappoint. "Batman Begins" took a nod from the dark tones of "The Dark Knight Returns" and presented a troubled character who would become a hero. An obsessed person who wanted to make sure his brand of vigilante justice was applied to the criminals of Gotham City. It was the type of Batman movie I had always wanted to see. I liked how Batman wasn't a Boy Scout like Superman. I liked how Christopher Nolan clearly knew he was making a comic book movie, but rooted it an environment that seemed perfectly plausible that a guy with a cape could exist.
"Batman Begins" is my favourite superhero movie. I could go on and on about all the nuances that I love about this movie. I am highly excited for next summer's "Dark Knight" the sequel to "Batman Begins". I love that Christopher Nolan and the rest of the cast are back. I find the title perfect. And I highly anticipate that Joker will be the evil, psychotic villain that I read about, not the campy version portrayed by Jack Nicholson.
This entire blog is a roundabout way to say that you have to check out this picture that shows the promise that "Dark Knight" will not disappoint. Heath Ledger as Joker looks simply too cool.
I will now unplug my geekiness and return to my normal life.
However, I always thought comics were unjustifiably put down by the general public. I only really got into comics in grade seven. That was the year when Batman The Movie came out. The one directed by Tim Burton. The one with the comical Joker played by Jack Nicholson. The one that I thought miscast Michael Keaton, but after viewing the movie, thought that he did a good job. I remember going to see that movie with my dad and afterwards he bought me a graphic novel called "The Dark Knight Returns".
This story written by Frank Miller (of "300" and "Sin City" fame) was about Batman returning back as a old man set in an apocalyptic future set in Gotham City. I never knew comics could be so dark and create such a complex story full of character development. Miller's Batman was an enigma, wracked with psychological despair from witnessing his parent's murder. Through the rejuvenation of his crime fighting career, we witness Batman's unwavering vision of his truth ultimately juxtaposed against the American virtues embodied by Superman. Plus Batman and Superman's fight kicks some massive butt.
There are so many complex issues tackled in this seminal work in terms of graphic novels. The grim tone and story structure has been mimicked and aped by so many other comic writers since.
I know comics are purely fantasy, but the best comics tackle the same sort of themes that, dare I say, Shakespeare does. Doing the right thing? Spiderman. Prejudice? X-Men. Tragic love? Daredevil and Elektra. It is no mistake that some of today's most popular shows are simply stealing ideas from comics. And the popularity of shows like Lost and Heroes, simply proves that the themes from comics speak to people. And the improvement of special effects has allowed the visions of Stan Lee (this guy is THE MAN when it comes to comics... can you believe he created The Fantastic Four, Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, X-Men AND Spiderman... what a resume!) to flourish on the screen. Spiderman and X-men proved to be a box office hit.
Which brings me to "Batman Begins". The Batman franchise was ruined by Joel Schumacher and no one remembers the ugly mess that involved George Clooney as Batman. I mean, that Batman suit had nipples! When I learned that Christopher Nolan was restarting the franchise I was excited. When Christian Bale was cast as Bruce Wayne, I became very eager to see this movie. It did not disappoint. "Batman Begins" took a nod from the dark tones of "The Dark Knight Returns" and presented a troubled character who would become a hero. An obsessed person who wanted to make sure his brand of vigilante justice was applied to the criminals of Gotham City. It was the type of Batman movie I had always wanted to see. I liked how Batman wasn't a Boy Scout like Superman. I liked how Christopher Nolan clearly knew he was making a comic book movie, but rooted it an environment that seemed perfectly plausible that a guy with a cape could exist.
"Batman Begins" is my favourite superhero movie. I could go on and on about all the nuances that I love about this movie. I am highly excited for next summer's "Dark Knight" the sequel to "Batman Begins". I love that Christopher Nolan and the rest of the cast are back. I find the title perfect. And I highly anticipate that Joker will be the evil, psychotic villain that I read about, not the campy version portrayed by Jack Nicholson.
This entire blog is a roundabout way to say that you have to check out this picture that shows the promise that "Dark Knight" will not disappoint. Heath Ledger as Joker looks simply too cool.
I will now unplug my geekiness and return to my normal life.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Greatest Band Halftime show ever...
Just stumbled across this halftime show by the band from Cal.
See if you can recognize the different games... I believe there are six of them. The only problem with the video is it is filmed from the wrong side of the field.
(Click on the title of this blog for the link)
See if you can recognize the different games... I believe there are six of them. The only problem with the video is it is filmed from the wrong side of the field.
(Click on the title of this blog for the link)
Friday, November 23, 2007
Alternative choices...
Hello everyone out there. I hope your American Thanksgiving was swell. I only wish I could have participated in the Black Friday shopping madness.
I am getting a little nervous after realizing the writer's strike is sucking humour out of my life. Thursday brought no new episodes of 30 Rock, The Office, and My Name is Earl. I feel especially bad for 30 Rock, because it had the makings of a MVP season. I liken it to the baseball strike back in 1994 when the Montreal Expos were in first place. The strike occurred and the franchise was never the same. Bye bye Pedro. Bye bye Larry. Good-bye Expos.
I hope 30 Rock can continue the magic.
I feel the threat of no new television episodes on the horizon, which would mean I would have to find something else to fill my time. I came up with a possible list of what that may entail:
1) Phone people I haven't talked to in a long time. Come to the realization that I can actual interact with real people that were formerly important to me.
2) Use email instead to contact those "friends" after they repeatedly ignore my calls.
3) Contact former students and try to hang out with them.
4) Follow those same former students around in my car after they avoid me for weeks on end.
5) Go watch a movie instead. That "Enchanted" movie looks attractive, only because McDreamy is in it. And I just wrote that, so I could write "McDreamy", which I think is one of the stupidest monikers of all time. Does that even make sense? How does McDonald's and someone who is hot, come together? I don't want to think of lard and fat when thinking about someone that is hot.
6) Take up knitting.
7) Build a gingerbread house. Then eat it. I like this one.
8) Write my pointless thoughts and drivel out in a communicative form that sporadically appears on the Internet.
9) Wonder if ABC and Pushing Daisies, purposely putting their female leads into costumes to show major amounts of cleavage, has anything to do with why I might enjoy HiDef so much?
10) Keep carefully protecting my Markus Naslund voodoo doll, which is solely responsible for his returning scoring touch.
Ciao!
I am getting a little nervous after realizing the writer's strike is sucking humour out of my life. Thursday brought no new episodes of 30 Rock, The Office, and My Name is Earl. I feel especially bad for 30 Rock, because it had the makings of a MVP season. I liken it to the baseball strike back in 1994 when the Montreal Expos were in first place. The strike occurred and the franchise was never the same. Bye bye Pedro. Bye bye Larry. Good-bye Expos.
I hope 30 Rock can continue the magic.
I feel the threat of no new television episodes on the horizon, which would mean I would have to find something else to fill my time. I came up with a possible list of what that may entail:
1) Phone people I haven't talked to in a long time. Come to the realization that I can actual interact with real people that were formerly important to me.
2) Use email instead to contact those "friends" after they repeatedly ignore my calls.
3) Contact former students and try to hang out with them.
4) Follow those same former students around in my car after they avoid me for weeks on end.
5) Go watch a movie instead. That "Enchanted" movie looks attractive, only because McDreamy is in it. And I just wrote that, so I could write "McDreamy", which I think is one of the stupidest monikers of all time. Does that even make sense? How does McDonald's and someone who is hot, come together? I don't want to think of lard and fat when thinking about someone that is hot.
6) Take up knitting.
7) Build a gingerbread house. Then eat it. I like this one.
8) Write my pointless thoughts and drivel out in a communicative form that sporadically appears on the Internet.
9) Wonder if ABC and Pushing Daisies, purposely putting their female leads into costumes to show major amounts of cleavage, has anything to do with why I might enjoy HiDef so much?
10) Keep carefully protecting my Markus Naslund voodoo doll, which is solely responsible for his returning scoring touch.
Ciao!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Enjoying your long weekend...
Hope all of you are doing well on this long weekend. Remembrance Day is one of my favourite times, because I love reading about all of the stories of people who had so much courage in difficult times. It saddens me to think that there are not many surviving WWII veterans. I always feel a bit emotional reading all of the different celebrations across Canada and I wonder if I wisely use the freedoms afforded to me.
From "freedom" to "free", I have been reading about intellectual property, especially when it comes to music. If you want a good read try reading about this one person's view about the music industry and the shut down of the #1 file sharing site Oink's.
Another good article is one published by a music industry guy from three years back.
Enjoy if you have some free time to spare.
From "freedom" to "free", I have been reading about intellectual property, especially when it comes to music. If you want a good read try reading about this one person's view about the music industry and the shut down of the #1 file sharing site Oink's.
Another good article is one published by a music industry guy from three years back.
Enjoy if you have some free time to spare.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Long time no post...
Sorry I haven't written anything in awhile. I was sick all weekend feeling BLAH. Probably from all the candy that I stole from all the kids trick or treating during Halloween.
Also, time will be freed up after the jr boys volleyball season winds down. I think I may be up for coach of the year after having a winless season until last week, where we managed to win two games (there are only five teams in the district!) and somehow end up with the third seed in playoffs due to a tiebreak won because of sets won. This meant we avoided an extra playoff game and entered into the playoffs against the #2 seed. We hadn't beaten Burnaby North all year and we dropped the first two sets in the best of five. Somehow we stormed back to win three straight and now on Friday we are playing the number 1 seed for all the marbles.
OK that was a complex paragraph to explain what I have been up to.
Just thought I would update a couple of things that I have been watching and then I will try to do a nice big post this upcoming long weekend. (I have such a soft spot for Remembrance Day... I hope we can continue to honour so many of the true heroes from the past.)
Sunday:
Desperate Housewives: I personally think this has been a great season, much like season 1. There have been pretty good subplots and all the women are in fine form. The big bonus is Susan Myers is not annoying this year, but rather goofy in an endearing way. Every time I see Eva Longoria, I wonder how Tony Parker can even focus on basketball.
Monday:
Heroes: This week it finally turned a corner by presenting the big problem. The only nice connection was Peter and Adam (Kensei) at the end. Is it too late to save this show? Ratings have plummeted and fans have been angry. For sure, this show is in a sophomore jinx. I used to be eager to polish off an episode of Heroes. Not anymore.
Chuck: Glad to see that they talked about Chuck's past with Bryce. Superb choice using my favourite Oasis song, "Don't Look Back in Anger". I like this show. Now will anyone join me in the Morgan Must Go Club?
How I Met Your Mother: I still watch this show because of Barney, but I find I don't laugh out loud like other comedies. Still amusing and the writing pulls of quirky plot transitions and time elapses.
Tuesday:
House: I know some people are growing tired of this show, but this is one show that makes me laugh out loud. I really wish there were more House and Wilson moments, but this week's episode with the double entendres and CIA lies were precious. Thoroughly enjoying this show still.
Pushing Daisies: Where was it this week? Best new show on TV.
Wednesday:
Bionic Woman: BORING! I am done with this show. Nuff said.
Reaper: Getting a bit better. I did like how the Devil was depressed on Halloween.
Gossip Girl: Still my guilty pleasure. Except can shows stop doing the cliche "Mask Party"? Do people really get confused when someone is covering their eyes? Is it that tough to not notice that someone is not your sister? "Hey look I am wearing a mask! Of course you don't know it is me." Enough of this masquerade! (You know you are sick when you start chuckling at your own puns).
Thursday:
MY FAVOURITE NIGHT...
My Name is Earl: Just a rollicking good ride.
The Office: Last week's 30 minute episode felt tighter. This show always delivers the goods.
30 Rock: THE BEST COMEDY that you are not watching. Alec Baldwin is genius. Give him the Emmy after last episode's crazy monologue. I never was a fan of his, but I am now.
Scrubs: It's back! I haven't watched it yet! I am going to keep using exclamations to make a point that is really not there!
Ugly Betty: I really enjoy the Betty-Rocco dynamic and actually good ole Henry is starting to grate on me. He seems like a wuss. More John Cho! And I never thought that Vanessa Williams could be so good in a role. She absolutely nails her character Wilhemina Slater.
Friday:
Friday Night Lights: Landry, Landry, Landry! Landry's storyline was going well and then I forgot about the unspeakable act that he committed. Then I remembered and thought "Damn there goes all the goodwill this show was building back up after a false start to this season." Still I do enjoy my FNL and I think I got Mina hooked after last episode's great arc.
TTYL IMO BFF BRB LOL JK MTFBWY
Rob out.
Also, time will be freed up after the jr boys volleyball season winds down. I think I may be up for coach of the year after having a winless season until last week, where we managed to win two games (there are only five teams in the district!) and somehow end up with the third seed in playoffs due to a tiebreak won because of sets won. This meant we avoided an extra playoff game and entered into the playoffs against the #2 seed. We hadn't beaten Burnaby North all year and we dropped the first two sets in the best of five. Somehow we stormed back to win three straight and now on Friday we are playing the number 1 seed for all the marbles.
OK that was a complex paragraph to explain what I have been up to.
Just thought I would update a couple of things that I have been watching and then I will try to do a nice big post this upcoming long weekend. (I have such a soft spot for Remembrance Day... I hope we can continue to honour so many of the true heroes from the past.)
Sunday:
Desperate Housewives: I personally think this has been a great season, much like season 1. There have been pretty good subplots and all the women are in fine form. The big bonus is Susan Myers is not annoying this year, but rather goofy in an endearing way. Every time I see Eva Longoria, I wonder how Tony Parker can even focus on basketball.
Monday:
Heroes: This week it finally turned a corner by presenting the big problem. The only nice connection was Peter and Adam (Kensei) at the end. Is it too late to save this show? Ratings have plummeted and fans have been angry. For sure, this show is in a sophomore jinx. I used to be eager to polish off an episode of Heroes. Not anymore.
Chuck: Glad to see that they talked about Chuck's past with Bryce. Superb choice using my favourite Oasis song, "Don't Look Back in Anger". I like this show. Now will anyone join me in the Morgan Must Go Club?
How I Met Your Mother: I still watch this show because of Barney, but I find I don't laugh out loud like other comedies. Still amusing and the writing pulls of quirky plot transitions and time elapses.
Tuesday:
House: I know some people are growing tired of this show, but this is one show that makes me laugh out loud. I really wish there were more House and Wilson moments, but this week's episode with the double entendres and CIA lies were precious. Thoroughly enjoying this show still.
Pushing Daisies: Where was it this week? Best new show on TV.
Wednesday:
Bionic Woman: BORING! I am done with this show. Nuff said.
Reaper: Getting a bit better. I did like how the Devil was depressed on Halloween.
Gossip Girl: Still my guilty pleasure. Except can shows stop doing the cliche "Mask Party"? Do people really get confused when someone is covering their eyes? Is it that tough to not notice that someone is not your sister? "Hey look I am wearing a mask! Of course you don't know it is me." Enough of this masquerade! (You know you are sick when you start chuckling at your own puns).
Thursday:
MY FAVOURITE NIGHT...
My Name is Earl: Just a rollicking good ride.
The Office: Last week's 30 minute episode felt tighter. This show always delivers the goods.
30 Rock: THE BEST COMEDY that you are not watching. Alec Baldwin is genius. Give him the Emmy after last episode's crazy monologue. I never was a fan of his, but I am now.
Scrubs: It's back! I haven't watched it yet! I am going to keep using exclamations to make a point that is really not there!
Ugly Betty: I really enjoy the Betty-Rocco dynamic and actually good ole Henry is starting to grate on me. He seems like a wuss. More John Cho! And I never thought that Vanessa Williams could be so good in a role. She absolutely nails her character Wilhemina Slater.
Friday:
Friday Night Lights: Landry, Landry, Landry! Landry's storyline was going well and then I forgot about the unspeakable act that he committed. Then I remembered and thought "Damn there goes all the goodwill this show was building back up after a false start to this season." Still I do enjoy my FNL and I think I got Mina hooked after last episode's great arc.
TTYL IMO BFF BRB LOL JK MTFBWY
Rob out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
