Saturday, August 23, 2014

A New Who Premieres

So I have been called out by not one or two but three of my friends to do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Markus, Al and Josh all challenged me so I will donating and preforming the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge tomorrow... so stay tuned for the video.

Today is day 13 of my "picture a day" until my 44th birthday. So here I am at age 13, and it's tough trying to figure out what age I am with some of these pictures. Unless someone else in the pix or it's at a certain place I'm guessing the age.. but from this picture it looks like I've hit the moody teens.

Tonight is the premiere of Doctor Who which is also the debut of a new Doctor, Peter Capaldi. I had a little premiere party at my place. Friends Doug, Dallas, Robert and Cait join me to watch.

Overall I enjoyed the introduction of this new Doctor. This was an interesting episode as it dealt more with Clara and her acceptance of this new looking Doctor then it did with the Doctor actually changing. It's tough to judge Peter as the new Doctor because he spent the majority of it with regeneration sickness and was a bit bonkers. Will have to wait and see with episode two.

I enjoyed the story, it's cool that it ties in with one of my all time favorite episodes "Girl in the Fireplace". And it also introduces a new character that's causing all kinds of speculations... Missy.

It was great to see Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax in this episode. Hopefully will get to see them again this season. I still think they should do a spin off series of that trio.

There was only one thing that really bothered me and that's when the Doctor leaves Clara with the organ stealing robots. It felt very unlike the Doctor, of course it all worked out and he did indeed rescue her but still that one moment really bothered me.

But it was a great start to what I hope to be an amazing season.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Icy Cumberbatch, Dancing Groot & Loving Arrow

Today I came across my favorite (so far) of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.. of course it's the very charming Benedict Cumberbatch.. you can watch the video below.


I got an email today from San Diego Comic Con informing me that I have been approved for SDCC 2015 and no further action is required. I thought I had one more year left. With SDCC you have to send in credentials every three years to prove that you are part of the entertainment industry. It's a pain in the butt, but it's worth it to get in free.

Today is Day 12 in my "photo a day" until my 44th Birthday. So here I am at Age 12.

Funko who make those Pop! vinyl characters that are really hot right now announced the release of a new Guardians of the Galaxy figure... you ready for it... it's Dancing Groot. How awesome is that. With that popularity of that movie and especially that character, this was a wise and very fast move on Funko's part.. well done guys. I just hope it's easier to find then the "regular" Groot.

I spent most of my day back and forth from the TV to my computer. I worked on my next MASH 4077 Podcast while trying to finish up season one of Arrow. I succeeded on both accounts. I finished the next MASH podcast, episode 85, which will be released on September 1st and I finished watching season one of Arrow. I watched episodes 13 to 23 to finish off the season.

My over all thoughts on Season one are positive. I enjoyed every minute of it though some characters I could have done without, but what's crazy is that some characters that I really didn't like at the beginning turned into my favorites by the end and some that I liked at the beginning I didn't care for by the end.

I really disliked Queen's little sister, she just annoyed me way to much at the beginning but I have to say she's growing on me. I'm far from calling her my favorite but if they continue with her growth in season 2 then I'll learn to like her.  Queen's Mom is another that I just despised and was unsure of your loyalties, was she good, was she bad and over the course of the season you find out that she's bad but she wasn't always. She did this for her family and got in way over hear head.

I'm glad that Felicity became part of Queen's team, I was surprised by the ending of season one. I figured they would save the day and all would be well.. but at first you think that but then find out that their is a second device and it goes off causing a huge Earthquake which takes down half of the Glades. I was disappointed in how they kept flip flopping Tommy's character in regards to Oliver, they were friends, he was mad at him, they were friends, he was mad at him. And his death at the end didn't come as a surprise. It was a Heroic death as he did save the women he loved.

I'm really looking forward to S2 and I hope to have that all watched before S3 starts in early October.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Another B-day Pix, Elvish Donut & Random Deep Question

Birthday picture countdown continues with Day 11. So here I am at Age 11. Only 33 more days to go.

I wanted to share this awesome picture of a doughnut, now this isn't any ordinary donut it's The One Donut to Rule Them All... how awesome is this, evil never looked so good.

I posted a Random "Deep" Question on Facebook and Twitter. I wasn't sure if anyone would respond as it's not the easiest thing to answer, though I did get some joke answers, I also got quite a few serious ones. So here was the question... What is your end goal in life? Fame, Family, Exploration, Love, Knowledge, A Combination of those, etc?

Here are the responses I got from Facebook:
  
Christopher Quilty - The end scene from "It's A Wonderful Life" (without needing the bowl of money). 

Matthew Kuhns - Immortality. 

Tina Zettel - A combo. but the main thing is to die happy, surrounded by loved ones 

Gabe Gebhart - Having a good time and sliding into home plate.

Ken Todd - Happiness for myself and the people I love.

Linda Longfellow - to love and be loved by family and friends plus never hurt anyone on purpose.

Markus Hunt - I want a legacy mate. Something that will be going after I've long gone but still brings happiness to others or benefits the planet.

Matthew Luchsinger - That is a deep question. I guess it is just to make everyone around me smile and a little happier on this planet.

Jonathan Nail - A garden to tend and my family to love.

Tiffany Anne Buckner - Damn........ I honestly have no clue

Diana Perry - Service.

Mazin Dajani - Conquest of the known universe

And I got one from Twitter..
 
@NeghvarNews - To have loads of fun & become outstanding in my line of work!

As for my answer, I think in the big picture I'd like to just be loved and to love in return. But I admit there is a small part of me that would like to leave my mark on this world somehow.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Birthday Countdown & Babylon 5 Viewing Continues

So it's day 10 of my picture countdown until my 44th birthday. To celebrate here I am at age 10. I was such a tanned little boy.

Today was TV night with my buddy Robert. We continue our first time viewing of Babylon 5. We only got a couple episode watched tonight.

First up was S5 Ep7 "Secrets of the Soul" Dr. Franklin discovers a
secret hidden by the Hyach. Lyta and Byron become closer, eventually having sex. During this intimate moment, Lyta reveals to the telepath colony the truth about the Vorlons' involvement in the development of telepaths.

A fairly "mundane" episode but with one big reveal at the end. The Vorlon's created all telepaths, or at least manipulated each race to create a telepath. It's hard to side with the telepaths when they are so racist and horrible towards the mundane (what they call non-telepaths). I understand that they have been hunted and are loathed by some people but turning into an use against them mentality. I don't know where this series is going but I see a telepath battle coming in the near future.

And the second episode of the night was S5 Ep8 "Day of the Dead" The dead return for one night during a mysterious Brakiri religious festival: Garibaldi is visited by a ground pounder, Dodger, with whom he almost had a romantic fling three years ago, Londo cherishes a night with his lost love Adira Tyree, Lennier tolerates the Shadows' associate Mr. Morden, and Captain Lochley is visited by her friend for whose death she feels responsible. Kosh also delivers a message to Lochley for President Sheridan: "When the long night comes, return to the end of the beginning."

Again nothing to special about this episode. We got to see some characters from the past. We got Kosh's message to Sheridan, but I don't get it.. yet. We delved into Lochley's past a bit and I still don't understand why Mr. Morden would come to Lennier but it was still good to see Lennier.

Penn and Teller made an appearance in this episode.. I saw no reason for their appearance other then "stunt" casting. I really didn't care for either of their characters.

These last few episode have felt like set up episodes. I'm waiting for something big to happen.  I'm still really enjoying the series I just hope the story picks up soon.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Videos, Fixed TV & Firefly Goes Pop!

I came across several videos that I want to share with you all. First up is a Do's and Don't for Men dressing. It's really straight forward and easy to follow. I think it's the best men's fashion video that I have ever seen. 


The next video is a music video from Meghan Trainor for the song "All About that Base". It's been out for a few months but this is the first of hearing it. Besides the song being super catchy I love the message to girls that it's giving. "Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top"


So I'm a huge Country music fan so of course I found a country cover for All About That Bass that's awesome..

Today is day 9 in my picture a day until my 44th Birthday. So here I am at Age 9. As a kid my hair was always various lengths, full and curly. Wish I still had the fullness.

I also replaced my 60" TV lamp today and my TV is once again working. It was an easy process which made me very happy. The picture is brighter then it's been in a year or so. I guess the lamp has slowly been dying.

And the last thing I want to share today is the announcement that they are releasing Firefly Pop! vinyl figures.  This set includes Mal, Zoe, Wash, Jayne and Kaylee. Hopefully with the second set they release the others, Simon, River, Book, and Inara.

I don't know when or where these are going to be released all I know is I must have them!!!

Monday, August 18, 2014

Escape to Disneyland

Here's my 44th Birthday countdown picture, it's Day 8 so here I am at Age 8. Only 36 more days to go!!

I came across this on the net and got a real kick out of it so of course I had to share it on Facebook and Twitter... and now on my blog. -->

Today was all about Disneyland and Disney California Adventures with my buddy Brett. It's been a month or so since going with Lydia and I've been wanting to escape the "real" world and enjoy a day of no stress and worry about how your life isn't quite going as planned.

We started with Disney California Adventure (DCA) as there wasn't a huge line to get in like there was at Disneyland. The park was busy but at most I think we stood in line for maybe a half hour. We did take advantage of fast passes so we didn't have to stay in any hour lines. We did most of the rides at DCA. We also picked up some lunch out in Carsland.

We headed over to Disneyland around 2pm and that place was super packed. We actually only rode two rides and watched the Guardians of the Galaxy "sneak preview". Before we left we stood in the Dole Whip line. I have walked by this line for years and years and never attempted to get a Dole Whip... well today was the day. Neither Brett nor I have ever had one so we got in the long line. It actually moved pretty fast and within 20 minutes or so we had our Dole Whip soft serve non-dairy ice cream. I have to say it did not disappoint and was well worth the wait.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Radcliffe, Family & The Geekies

First I want to share a video that I came across. It's Daniel Radcliffe (who played Harry Potter) surprising unsuspecting people who are at a screening of his new film "What If". The reactions of some of these folks are hilarious. I don't think I would have had a "big" reaction though I'd be dying inside. Check out the video below.

 

Today I visited with family, it's been a few weeks and I always try and see them every few weeks. Both Kenobi (nephew 5) and Molly (niece 2) are growing up so fast. Both kids are now running up to me when I arrive at the front door. Molly goes around and announces to everyone that Uncle Kenny is here.. it's the cutest thing. She even came up to me and gave me a piece of paper that she wrote on (okay it was nothing but scribbles but still I'm putting it up on my fridge).

Went out to lunch with my Dad, we went to Red Lobster. This was my first time ever going to Red Lobster and the reason is that I don't like Lobsters or crab so I've never been. But I am a big fan of shrimp and my dad wanted to go so we did. I had heard of their cheddar biscuits and I have to say that they did not disappoint and the food was really good. This may be my first time but it won't be my last.

After lunch Dad and I went to Toy's R Us, CVS and Grocery Shopping. When we got back to the house my brother and sister-in-law were home so I got to visit with the entire family for a few hours. I mostly played with the kiddos.

I got home around 8pm. I was suppose to attend the Geekies tonight but things changed. Last year they gave us judges tickets to the event and I had a blast watching this award show live and in person so I was really looking forward to it this year.

Well a few weeks ago I got an email from them saying: As a special guest, you are invited to watch the show from our private celebrity room in Bardot and attend an exclusive DJ pre-party from 5-7pm. Party includes food courtesy of Wahoo tacos and a variety of wines from Rocca Vineyards (along with a full cash bar). This is our exclusive viewing area for judges, show presenters and celebrities, where you'll be able to party and mingle all night. After the show, we'll host a post-show party with DJ and pizza courtesy of Pizza Hut!

It sounded nice but there was no mention of watching the show live and in the main room. But at the bottom of the email was Tickets: If you or your guests would like to purchase tickets in the main room, LIMITED floor and balcony seating is available. So we had to purchase our own tickets if we wanted to watch the show like last year.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm sure for some people this sounds great, hanging with celebrities and networking with entertainment folk but it doesn't for me. I'm extremely shy and introverted when it comes to parties and talking to people. If I'm going to attend the Geekie Awards Show I want to actually "attend" the show, not watch it on a TV screen from a room in a Hotel next to the venue. 

Needless to say I was disappointed and did not go. I don't mind that they didn't give us free tickets for this year but the fact that they didn't tell us this before we agreed to be judges is what bothers me. Last year judges were given tickets to attend the show so why wouldn't we get tickets this year. 

Would it have changed my mind if I knew that I wasn't going to get free tickets to the event.. probably not. I enjoy being a judge for the Geekies but it wouldn't have been such a shock and disappointment. I really had been excited for this event for months... oh well life goes on.