Jokes Courtesy Marty McFly

If it's Cool Whip Free, then why did I just have to pay $.75 for it?

Superman Returnzzzzzzzzz.....

Oh sorry, must have dozed off.

Well, I went to go see Summer Blockbuster #4, er, Superman Returns today. All I can say is, how can a movie about a man who can fly, bend solid steel, and shoot frickin' laser beams from his eyes, be so darn boring!

Granted, there were some cool effects, a nice action sequence or two, and a neat little homage to the cover of Action Comics #1, but everything else felt so recycled.. literally. I came to the theater wanting to see a new version of Superman, not a fanboy's version of Superman: The Movie. Yes, Bryan Singer didn't adapt Superman: the comic book character, he adapted Superman: The Movie. Many lines are literally lifted from the first movie ("Statistically speaking, flying is still the safest way to travel").

I don't know. I expected so much more out of this movie. There were themes touched upon in the movie: Superman leaving Earth, the people of Earth "moving on," Superman mentioning people needing a savior. None of these are ever explored, and I kind of wanted them to be.

I can't really fault the actors in this movie, they did the best they could with what was given to them. And they definitely could have been given more. Oh well.

On the bright side, I got a free ticket for the movie off of the DVD release of Justice League. I'll probably be more entertained watching some of that right now. Excuse me.

Welcome to Battle Plan('s Anniversary)!

A few words from Quizibuck:
Yes, one year ago today, we started a little blog in which we hoped to share information about City of Heroes, movie reviews, random thoughts, and insane rants.

Okay, so we forgot about the CoH information, movie reviews, and random thoughts.

There's nothing wrong with a few insane rants. it's good to have a place to vent sometimes. Sure, we're not sure how many people (if any) read this blog, and there's been a total of about maybe 5 comments made, but still, it's good to get some stuff out on an irregular basis.

Personally, I had hoped to make more posts here, even if they weren't mind blowing. But as you can tell we've gone sometimes a month without posting anything. With my contributor, I'm sure he'd tell you it was because ideas are hard to come by. Me, I have ideas, but I usually try to be careful about how I express them.

And so, we enter our second year here. Will it be more of the same? Perhaps. Will we see more posts, even if they're only a few lines long? I'd like to hope so. Will this blog bring us fame, fortune, and luck with the ladies? Maybe that's what we were hoping a year ago, but as with many things in my and my friend's lives, that idea came to a screeching halt.

Oh well.. I guess that's another blog post.

A few words from Blue Wire:
I can't believe it has been a year since this blog was started. I think the only expectation I had for myself when this blog started, was that I would be working on it daily. Well, as my readers can see, that didn't happen. I admit I am lazy, but I would like to think the times I do contribute to this blog, I come up with some good blogs. People might disagree, but hey you can't please everyone. All in all I would say this blog has been a good experience. I learned more on how to put my ideas down in a manner so others can understand them. I am also impressed how creative both of us are. So, as this blog dawns on second year, all I can say if things were good then things can always get better. Till next time dear readers. (yes there will be a next time).

Soccer, or football?

I was reading a rather good article today regarding Team USA's departure from the 2006 World Cup. While I was reading the insightful article, I couldn't help but notice the author using the term "soccer."

Yes, we Americans call it "soccer." Two other primarily English-speaking countries, Canada and Australia, use the term, also. But to everyone else, it's "football." And it makes complete sense, too. The majority of the game uses the feet and legs. But, the USA had to differentiate soccer from "American" football, so they named it so. Not that calling American football "football" makes any sense. There's very little footwork involved, and the "football" is not a traditional "ball."

It's just one of many things that other countries take and use against us, when an American uses it they tend to look at us funny.

American presentation of football..er, soccer is kind of funny, also. They seem to televise it too much like the rest of the American sports. It's all about statistics. They show the number of shots on goal, the number of corner kicks, percentage of possession; its all rather pointless when it comes down to it.

Some Americans call soccer boring. Not enough scoring and what not. This is another thing I find kind of funny. Just watch a game of baseball or hockey. If it weren't for the fights hockey would be practically the equivalent of soccer in terms of excitement level.

I guess it doesn't matter what it's called or what people think of it around here. My siblings and I grew up playing soccer, and my sister is a regular soccer fanatic. Played soccer through college, got a scholarship through soccer, even coached soccer for a long time. She was lucky enough to find a guy who loves it as much as she does!

Sadly I haven't gotten to see much of the World Cup, as I've been working a lot, and I hope to see some games as the World Cup moves into the second round. You'd be hard pressed to find a game that has as many spirited fans as soccer. I love seeing televised games.. the chants, the singing, the passionate players. It's great seeing such national pride, and such unselfish players. Unlike some American sports.

Cat-astrophe

Okay, superstition freaks:

Supposedly it is bad luck if a black cat crosses your path.

Now, does this only apply to when one is walking? Because as I was driving out of my apartment complex this morning on my way to work, a black cat crossed the street a distance in front of me.

If it applies to driving too, I'm a little worried.

And the Award for Most Redundant TV Show Name Goes to..

....Master of Champions, a talent competition being advertised by ABC. I hear it premieres right after King of Monarchs. Afterward I think I'll watch E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial and A.I.: Artificial Intelligence.

But Wait There's More . . .

There I was, surrounded by all the hostages and news media, a spectacle to behold. Then came my reward for saving all those people and apprehending the potential thieves, the love of my life came up to me and gave me apassionate kiss. She slowly withdrew to appraise the look of surprise and pleasure on my face, then she exclaimed in a excited manly voice, "BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!" Huh? Oh damn, I fell asleep with the tv on again and Ron Popeil's famous phrase came into my dream.

Yes, it's those night owl programs that people love to hate, call them half-hour ads, call them infomercials, but I call them, "Hey, where's the second part of the "Knight Rider" cliffhanger!?" Oh, sure the network airs part one of the cliffhanger and then BAM (sorry Emeril didn't see you there) instead of part 2 the show they air an infomercial (yes, I am curious how K.I.T.T. comes back to life and I hope Michael doesn't get too depressed over his loss). Ahem *nervous cough* uh sorry about that. Yes, infomercials are now part of our television viewing experience (like it or not). Usually one can avoid them by not staying up past 2 a.m., but lets face it we all have sleepless nights ( sleepless nights because your neighbor was found dead and the circumstances of their death could have been Sinister. Hmm that might be another blog) or we fall asleep in front of the t.v. Hey, it happens.

I admit I have seen a few of these and sadly some I have watched the whole time. I swear that they have some form hypnotizing beam embedded in the program (BUY ME!). I think the main thing that grabs my attention to the infomercial is the unique products they showcase. Products ranging from plastic containers that boil food quickly when filled with hot water to vacuum food storage systems to cookware that can help you fold an omelet and the do-it-yourself weapons of mass destruction home kit (whoops I wasn't supposed to mention that). I am not sure if the products being show really work, but the idea behind the product is usually ingenious. Yes, I freely admit it I want a kitchen gadget that helps me fold omelets.

No matter the product's main function the host always exaggerate the usefulness of their product. "This knife can cut a tomato, a tin-can, adamantium and is kryptonite proof, also it's dishwasher safe!" It's not enough that the product is the eighth wonder of the world, but they have to show a dramatization of a person (usually a woman is featured) trying to get by without their wonder product and things usually end up in disaster (OH NO!) then they turn to the camera looking distressed. Also the dramtization is usually presented in black and white or some sort of bland color.

The hosts also might be colorful if not more so than the product they are presenting. Their fast paced way presenting the product grabs the audience's attention and gives no time for the audience to dwell on anything else. Sometimes the host might have another host that represents the average consumer which is funny to me since the co-host is usually an out of work actor. I often feel sorry the actor or actress, but I have to remind myself they have to eat too.

I admit, I kinda admire the way these show are produced. The use of psychological tricks to get the audience (live or at home) engrossed in their presentation makes me smile. I often admire when a product is advertised in a clever way. Infomercials to me are a comical annoyance, I wanna hate them but they are so humorous to me that I can't quite put them on my "bad list". Well, if they preempt that particular "Knight Rider" cliffhanger again I might have to consider it, but hopefully it won't come to that.

Hi-larious!

To the jacka...er, gentlemen at work whose response to a news story about a slain family of seven was, "that had to hurt, ha ha ha": yeah.. that's what I'm going to say out loud when I run you over with my car.

A difference of opinion

I'd like to think that I was most definitely brought up the right way by my parents.

Besides the many things I've mentioned before, one of the things I was brought up to believe is that other people have opinions too. And while you may not agree with said opinion, that person has every right to it.

Sure, that's all well and good, and I most certainly allow people the right to have differing opinions.

That doesn't mean, however, that their opinions are any good.

Let me explain. When a person has a differing opinion, I'll listen to it, provided that they can back up their opinion with solid evidence or valid reasoning.

Too often will someone give their opinion and then just stop there, as if to say "yes, that's my opinion, live with it. I don't need to explain myself."

This is often evident with movies and television. I admit, that I can be an enigma when it comes to movies I like or dislike. Movies that are "universally" loved I can despise with a passion, and movies that are trashed I can thoroughly enjoy. But when I express my like or dislike, I'll generally say why, when the person looks at me funny.

The #1 box office money maker of all time, Titanic, I dislike. Why? I found it to be wholly unoriginal. There could have been other more interesting (and real-life) tales told about the people on the ship, but instead, we are force fed a stereotypical rich-girl-falls-in-love-with-poor-boy love story. The fiancee chases them through a sinking ship? Yeah, right. I expected him to be twirling his mustache and laughing maniacally. But I can understand why people like it. It can be a moving film if you want it to be. I certainly don't laugh at people for liking it.

On the other side of the spectrum, I've enjoyed movies such as Hudson Hawk, league of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. While these films may not be masterpieces, I've enjoyed them for various reasons, from the special effects to the characters. Overall I find these movies FUN.

So when someone's response to my mention of the movie Sky Captain is, "That movie sucks, you know," I get a little offended. Because usually the one who made the comment does a cocky little smirk and turns away, probably thinking what a smart person he/she is for knowing that movie "sucks." Never is there mention of why the movie is so horrible. They just say it stinks, and move on. Why explain themselves? Bah. I'm a movie connoisseur. I don't need to explain myself.

Of course, this type of occurrence comes up in other situations as well. I don't drink, I don't smoke, and for the life of me, I can't dance worth squat, so I don't really do that either. If I refuse to do any of the aforementioned, back come the funny looks. One time someone actually tried to "force" alcohol upon me. They offered to get me a drink, to which I said no. The response? "Oh come on, everyone likes to drink." They then offered to get me a "fruity" drink and swore up and down that I would hardly be able to tell there was alcohol in it. When they wanted me to dance later, again I refused, and again the response was "Oh come on, everyone likes to dance!"

I'm sorry, "everyone?" Well therefore you must know every single person on the face of the Earth to be so knowledgeable. The person scoffed at my refusal to do both the activities. I even explained why I didn't want to, and the person just looked at me funnier.

You see, this was one of these people who are set in their ways and in their opinions. To do the opposite of what they are used to is just foreign to them. It's almost as if the person grew up with, or always hung around with, people who agreed with them. Whether it was because this person was popular, rich, or just that people were afraid of the person, I don't know. But it's a shame. Because such closed-mindedness is such a pet peeve of mine. Again, I respect their right to have an opinion. I just wish that they would allow other people to have their own.

So folks, feel free to express your opinion about this post. Just be sure to explain why your opinion is such. Because otherwise, I won't care. :)

Mark of the Beast

Yep, today is 6/6/06.

Legend has it that on days associated with 6-6-6, bad things will happen. Even the apocalypse.

Wait a minute.. isn't that just about EVERY day? Screw it. I'm going back to bed.