Swing with Shad

I'm surprised it isn't covered with rust

2008-07-23T05:57:58Z

Ariel waving
Originally uploaded by FrogMiller

We haven't used our laptop in a while, but we'd like to take it with us to Ohio, so I'm updating things. I went to update the Norton Anti-Virus, and after charging me for Norton 2008 and downloading it, it turns out I can't install it because I don't have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed.

Wow. Service Pack 2. It has been a while since we used the laptop!

New Comics Wednesday

2008-07-22T06:29:30Z

121-1
Originally uploaded by Preciouscn

We just came back from Wyoming (and Frontier Days) this weekend, and we go to a family reunion in Ohio next week, and New York City a few weeks after that, so this summer's going to be pretty spotty for daily blogging. Just to let you know...

Oh, and I almost had jury duty tomorrow, but it turns out they don't need me. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride...

So, what new comics did I get? Just a couple:

Bomb Queen vol. 5 #3
Joker's Asylum: Poison Ivy #1

And I got anther cheap back issue:
The Best of Tribune Co. #2 (October 1985) -- Hey, it's Dick Tracy! In these two stories, he's facing off against video pirate Splitscreen (and anti-TV-violence crusader Auntie Freedom) and toxic-waste dumpers Dye & Oxen Cixot (and B.O. Plenty's con-man brother Goodin Plenty). That's worth 50¢!

The Rocker

2008-07-17T06:10:31Z

Ariella is trying to show Belle a fork is a wonderful comb...I don't think she's convinced
Originally uploaded by Miss Wendy Bird

I went to the free preview of The Rocker today, and I went by myself because you all wimped out (or more likely, don't live in Denver). It's a cute little movie, nothing great, certainly worth watching for free! Rainn Wilson is a former drummer whose heavy metal band dumped him right before they went big, and he's been bitter about it for 20 years. When his nephew's emo band A.D.D. needs a drummer, he jumps at the chance to play again, and when the band improbably becomes briefly popular because of a YouTube video, he sees it as his second chance of being a rock god. That description makes it sound like it has more edge than it really does; it's a genial comedy where everybody has learned a lesson and done some growing by the end.

Interestingly, the movie poster on the ticket says the movie would be released July 30, but now the website and imbd both say it's coming on August 20 instead. Someone has apparently got cold feet about its chances....

The movie has lots of SNL and 30 Rock cast members in large and small roles -- I wonder what the connection was? Also, I went thru the whole movie wondering where I had seen Emma Stone before -- turns out she was in Drive! That's pretty random...

Step Brothers

2008-07-15T06:01:37Z

DSC02526
Originally uploaded by Ruben Chiquillo

Beth and I saw Step Brothers tonight at a free preview! It is basically just Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly creating two ridiculous characters (two 40-year-old men who still live at home and act like they are 12) and exploring all the possibilities of their interactions when they become stepbrothers, but it's very funny (and filthy too). It even holds up for the whole film, avoiding the usual problem of movies like this -- running out of material before the end of the movie. (It helps that the movie is only 100 minutes long or so.)

Little Mermaid Comic: "Summer Vacation"

2008-07-14T01:57:21Z

It's the height of summer, so here's a short comic story from Redan Disney Princess Magazine #32 (May/June 2008) about Ariel's summer vacation. Remember that Disney Princess Magazine is aimed at fairly young children, so the story is simple and silly, but it is also very WTF in its approach to movie continuity.

Click the pages twice to make them big enough to read...

So, why is Ursula in this story? The movie doesn't work if Ariel has had regular interactions with Ursula beforehand. And Triton doesn't recognize Ursula after she merely lightens her skin color and puts on an apron and a hat (Heck, she even keeps her hairstyle and eye makeup)? That's almost racist! And what's up with Triton dressing like a redneck? I can see ditching the crown while on vacation, but wearing a trucker's hat instead? And then wearing it backwards (in the last panel)?

And of course, there's some undersea logic problems. I'll give them the underwater ice cream, but a swimming pool? I guess there could be pools of heavier liquids in the bottom of the ocean, but could it be anything you'd want to relax in?

But I gotta say, I love Ursula's enchanted ice cream cones. One makes you sneeze, two cause spotted skin, two cause upside-downness, one causes spinning -- and two give you anime hair colors. That's top-notch villainy there!

Are You Ready to Rock?

2008-07-13T05:46:12Z

Ariel, Flounder and Sebastian
Originally uploaded by Klingon65

Does anyone want to go see a free preview of The Rocker with me on Wednesday night (July 16)? Beth can't go, so I thought Hey, maybe I can share the wealth... It's at the AMC Orchard at 144th and I-25, so it's in the middle of nowhere, but if you think you can make it there around six-ish, let me know!

A Good Day

2008-07-12T05:58:19Z

ariel
Originally uploaded by finding mickey

Today was a good day. Here are some (just some) of the good things that happened today:

I got a raise at work -- it was the annual raise, nothing special, but it great to be working for a company that still does annual raises!
There was free salads at work today for lunch. I'm not a fan of salad, but there was mango and corn and bacon and all sorts of good stuff in these salads, and chicken to go on top!
I fixed the problem that you may had been having if you were reading my blog in IE. Now the photos are staying put!
The hummingbird moths returned to our garden tonight!

Archie Brands: Betty & Veronica Digest Magazine #185

2008-07-11T04:59:56Z

حورية بالالوان الجميله
Originally uploaded by *_*MerMaiD*_*

What am I doing here? Read this, this and this to find out more...

List of companies, brands, organizations, entertainments, fictional characters, celebrities, etc. in the Archie Universe(s)

Betty & Veronica Digest Magazine #185 (August 2008)

Companies & Brands

Comet Arcade – A video game arcade in Riverdale Mall. The logo is similar to the logo of Archie Comic's superhero Comet. (R)

Comic Galaxy 3000 – A comic book shop in Riverdale. It is described as a "superstore," which means that they also sell a wide variety of toys and collectibles. The owner's name is Steve, and Veronica's cousin Marcy works there. It appears to be the successor to an earlier store named Galaxy Comics (there is a big Galaxy Comics banner inside the store, and that's the best explanation I can think of).(R)

Galaxy Comics – See Comic Galaxy 3000. (R)

Gypsy Rose's – A magic shop in Riverdale. (R)

Mike's Sport Shop – A sporting goods store in Riverdale. (R)

Mlle. Lazongg's -- A expensive women's clothing store in Riverdale.(R)

Playzone Five -- A video game console developed by Lodge Enterprises. The name is a reference to the PlayStation 2.(R)

Vista Bruiser -- A model of car from the 1950s. Named after the Vista Cruiser station wagon, but this car is a two-seater convertible.

Entertainments and Fictional Characters

Action Man -- A comic book. The first issue from 1939 is worth "thousands".(R)

Boo -- A comic book.(R)

Oh! -- A comic book.(R)

Oof! -- A comic book.(R)

Ouch -- A comic book.(R)

Ow! -- A comic book.(R)

Pow Comics -- A comic book.(R)

Space Trek -- A science-fiction TV show. It the top fandom of Veronica's geeky cousin Marcy. Based on Star Trek.(R)

Super Cat -- A comic book.(R)

Super Dog -- A comic book.(R)

Yo! -- A comic book.(R)

The Backwards Mermaid

2008-07-10T05:19:17Z

Ariel crashes "Vanessa" and Eric's wedding -- in reverse...

From The Disney Blog

Osama the Pooh Button -- WTF?

2008-07-09T05:59:09Z

La petite sirène
Originally uploaded by Alice W...

I was looking at the new Disney pins on PinPics, and I found this button a McCain supporter made. Forget the slander on Obama (he's a big presidential candidate, he can take it), what's up with Osama the Pooh there? What the point of that? Does this person really like Winnie The Pooh so much that he just had to include him, or does he hate Winnie the Pooh and want to slander the bear some too? Or is there some point behind comparing Pooh and Osama that I'm not getting here?

Saving International Surfing Day

2008-07-08T06:22:13Z

Ariel
Originally uploaded by darkbeans

I like to help out with the Wikipedia, edit things here and there, but I have only added one article, for International Surfing Day. Not that I know anything about surfing, but I had came across a mention of it somewhere, and was surprised that it was not on Wikipedia, so I added it. (Here's what it looked like like at the time.) Almost immediately, it was challenged as something not worthy of a Wikipedia article, and I wasn't really going to try and save it, because I didn't know much about the subject -- I was hoping a real surfer would come along and fill out the article. And that is what happened -- a Wikipedia user named Myheartinchile adopted the article and added properly-sourced additional information and saved the article!

So, what I'm saying is that Wikipedia works (in my limited experience), and it's fun!

WALL-E

2008-07-07T03:40:27Z

Cut Off
Originally uploaded by Ms.Mars

As long as I'm writing about movies, Beth and I saw WALL-E on Wednesday night. Now, there's a great movie! All the attention to detail and the heart and the cuteness and the message and the humor and on and on... It's not perfect (the ending is a little pat), but you really should see this movie! Wow!

Hancock

2008-07-07T02:45:42Z

Ariel side (kind of) shot
Originally uploaded by Ms.Mars

We saw Hancock today with Scott & Jene. It's a pretty good little movie -- in fact, I'd probably say it's the best original (not based on a comic book or some other source) super-hero movie made (but I'm probably forgetting some obvious example that I really like). I'm not saying it's great, but it's fun and has some good action sequences and an unusual protagonist.

I hadn't heard all the buzz about the twist in the middle, so I was completely unprepared -- but Beth guessed it! I was wondering a little why Charlize Theron had taken such a minor role...

Obscure Disney fanart watch

2008-07-06T00:04:47Z

Hey, it's a mermaid who appeared in one episode of Gummi Bears... I love the Internet!

Aquarianne for MacGregor by ~Tear-Bleeder on deviant ART

Over at Archie Comics' Journal

2008-07-05T18:51:19Z

Dinglehopper :O! AKA a fork xD
Originally uploaded by Ms.Mars

I just posted several things over at archies(part of my continuing attempt to catch up on stuff...)

Happy Independence Day!

2008-07-04T21:12:43Z

I'm back, and I'll post more in a bit, but for now here's a pic of Ariel and Capitan America for this Fourth of July!

Childhood games... by *ile-o on deviant ART

Happy National Catfish Day!

2008-06-25T07:28:42Z

Finally, I am posting early enough in they day that it makes sense to tell you about the day's holiday. And that holiday is National Catfish Day! I'm not that big of a fan of catfish, but I knew that DeviantArt would probably have plenty of catfish mermaids to share, and I was right:

Catfish Mermaid - New by ~zepheenia on deviant ART

LakeWater Merfolk by ~RyokoNoKalo on deviant ART

Mermafied Disney Exchange by ~angelfish1021 on deviant ART

Loz's Mersona by ~angelfish1021 on deviant ART

Of course, they also have punning catfish mermaids, which don't resemble catfish but do resemble cats:

CatFish by *achansfallenwings on deviant ART

Catfish... D: by ~Yumi-San1688 on deviant ART

In other news, I am headed to Philadelphia for the funeral tomorrow, so don't expect any more posts until I'm back...

And yes I did miss posting yesterday, but I'm going to follow my new policy and not bore you with an excuse.

Archie Brands: Archie’s Jokebook Magazine #170

2008-06-24T06:03:33Z

Ariel
Originally uploaded by Ms.Mars

What am I doing here? Read this, this and this to find out more...

List of companies, brands, organizations, entertainments, fictional characters, celebrities, etc. in the Archie Universe(s)

Archie’s Jokebook Magazine #170 (March 1972)

Companies & Brands

Ace Theatrical Agency -- A talent agency in Riverdale. They represent Hog Heaven and Poison Ivy.

Hog Heaven -- A rock band in Riverdale. Represented by Ace Theatrical Agency.

Poison Ivy -- A rock band in Riverdale. Represented by Ace Theatrical Agency.

Soso Gas -- A gas station somewhere outside Riverdale. The name is a parody of Esso. When Esso became Exxon, did Soso become Sexxon?

Entertainments and Fictional Characters

Riverdale Rangers -- Professional hockey team. Minor league, I assume.

Speed Racer

2008-06-23T06:18:57Z

SpectroMagic - Magic Kingdom
Originally uploaded by Princess Shari

I couldn't convince anyone to go to Speed Racer with me, so I had to go alone, and you know it's not in real movie theaters anymore, so I had to go to the dollar theater. But still, I had a blast! I don't know why everyone was hatin' on it, 'cause it's pretty good. It is relentlessly artificial, but once you buy into the look, it's very effective. The racing scenes where thrilling and not at all hard to follow. And I loved they way they handled the (frequent) flashbacks, with the past scene sliding into view behind the person who was remembering the flashback.

It does have some problems. It is a family film, so there is a certain amount of juvenila you have to tolerate. And it's kind of weird to hear all the sports movies clichés about playing for the love of the sport and doing the right thing in a movie about an essentially fictional sport (the racing in this movie bears little resemblance to auto racing in the real world). But those are minor -- the movie is thrilling and fun to look at and it has Christina Ricci in it, so i recommend it. But you'd better move quick before it is gone from all theaters!

Get Smart

2008-06-22T07:35:01Z

Parade (Little Mermaid)
Originally uploaded by orchidée

Went with Scott & Jene to see Get Smart today. It's pretty good, doesn't insult the TV show it's based on, lots of funny moments, Steve Carell wisely doesn't imitate Don Adams but instead makes the part his own, Anne Hathaway is coolly efficient (and hot!), and the whole thing is cast very well. And most importantly, it's not stupid (which seems to be a problem with comedies lately).

Home alone

2008-06-21T06:06:46Z

Ariel
Originally uploaded by Preciouscn

Beth is back in Pennsylvania tonight, so I'm batchin' it for the next week. Hey, guess who was on the plane to Philadelphia with Beth.. Give up? The Rocky Mountain Roller Girls, en route to the East Coast Derby Extravaganza! That's cool...

John Tallmadge obituary from the Philadelphia Inquirer

2008-06-21T04:21:11Z

Follow this link

New Phone

2008-06-20T05:59:20Z

Ariel's Greeting Grotto
Originally uploaded by Sue☆

I got a new cell phone today, because my old one had battery problems. It's got an MP3 player, and it can record video, and it has a place to connect a phone strap!

Can everybody see this photos from Flickr OK? Beth reported problems with the photo jumping around in Internet Explorer...

I missed a few days, but you are cool with it

2008-06-19T06:10:19Z

Primavera Springtime Sun
Originally uploaded by Sue☆

I'm back. I'm always apologizing when I don't make my goal of daily posting, and I'm not sure why. The goal is a personal goal, so I'm really just apologizing to myself. I know I have readers, and I love you all, but I'm sure none of you are waiting breathlessly for my daily wisdom. So I am going to stop with the apologies & explanations when I miss a day, unless someone asks why...

I'm also going to start sharing cool photographs I find on Flickr...

Happy Blame Someone Else Day!

2008-06-13T07:03:12Z

Going up to visit my dad (and mom and brother) on Father's Day, so catch you all after the weekend. Everyone have a happy Blame Someone Else Day today!