Man vs Wild or Mild

For those of you who don't know, Bear Grylls has a show on the Discover Channel. Bear is dropped off somewhere with only a camera crew. He has to make it out of the wilderness and to safety. This was supost to be a true telling of his survival skills and talent. However it has leaked out that none of it is real. Preplanned, prepackaged, and zero survival. When this occurred Discovery Channel backtracked and now has a disclaimer on the front of each show. (click on image for larger view)

So basically.... Bear pretends to be Survivorman (Les Stroud) without any risk. Move along folks... it's just acting folks. Nice try. I'm sorry but this is just lame of the Discovery channel to pretend its all for real, and continue to promote it that way, except for the disclaimer. Very FOX of Discovery.

Click the video to see the fakeout. Go to YouTube for more.

Potter Wizard Swear Words

http://www.embedtube.com/uploads/33101407Realage.swf

Amazon getting slower?

Yet another reason to shop elsewhere. Amazon has patented the idea of delaying shipment to those people who don't buy much merchandise from them. Now that is snobbery.

Not to lecture Amazon, but the best way to build a customer base, and keep customers is to give them the best service possible at the best price possible in the fastest way possible. Not give them the worse service, as slow as possible. Why is it they even think this is in their best interest? That is the best way to loose customers.

• The Patent Link
• Dvorak Link

Brian Dettmer

Brian Dettmer carves into books revealing the artwork inside, creating complex layered three-dimensional sculptures.

Sowerby & Luff Podcast (S&L) - 5 Stars

Like some of you, I have a 45 minute commute every morning and every night. I use to listen to the radio, and sometimes to audio books, but with the advent of podcasts I have music, news, comedy, stories, and talk show that I like, whenever I like. I especially like comedy podcasts like S&L. I like laughing in my car... It makes the other drivers really nervous.

One of my favoriete 5 Star podcast is the Sowerby and Luff show. It truely is one of the funnies podcasts around! A 45 minute podcast divided into short segments of talking, joking, and playing games.

Most of the humor comes from the great chemistry between accomplished comedians, Georgina Sowerby & Brian Luff. They have a magic about them that alows the jokes to flow.** Brian says the most off the wall things and has a wide variety of voices he uses to play 'guest' characters. Georgina has hilarious come-backs to Brian's jokes, and has a wonderful laugh that is completely contagious. They both are a treat for the ears and the funny bone.

Get the podcast on Itunes, or at S&L website. Its a wonderful show you won't be disappointed with and will bring a smile to your face.

**Note that the jokes are not for your kids, S&L joke about all topics with a bit of sex, drinking, and some minor searing. Don't get me wrong, its all great fun and taste, but it very much nightclub humor.

Getting Paid is the Name of the Game

Well the writers strike is still alive. The big corporations like to believe that the writers who are the cogs of their system aren't worth oiling. The writers who, like most workers, would like to get oiled a bit more when the big machine starts raking it in. This is the classic fight.

Personally, I don't think the head executives will feel any pain until January(ish). They currently think that with the holiday season approaching, and the writers bank accounts slowly dropping, that they can out-wait the writers. I doubt it will happen. The writers seem united and they can smell money on the table. That alone will keep them going longer.

Now AFTER the holidays, no new shows show up on TV & existing shows dry up and go into reruns.... which will make TV look stale. Thats when people get board, viewership drops, and then ad revenue drops. Only then will the big dogs take notice and come to the negotiation table with some desire to talk.

Link the title of this post says, getting paid is the name of the game. The big companies are getting paid, now its time to oil their machine, and take it to the next level.... or not oil the machine, let it overheat and grind to a halt. Time will tell.

Avenue Q - 5 Stars

Friday night we went to see Avenue Q the puppet and person musical. This was a brilliant and funny show for adults only. Yep, mash Sesame Street with Adult topics, great music, snappy acting and well scripted humor and you have Avenue Q.

So, if your a hard core Right wing republican... would you like this show? Doubt it. Avenue Q dives in with brilliant humor the topics of; premarital sex, drinking, homosexuality, racism, pornography, unemployment, depression, AND mash them together with real world core values of friendship, purpose, giving, and finding ones way in the world.

All in all you wont walk away feeling down, but uplifted and still laughing at the jokes told on-stage. Go see the play if it comes to your town. It's well worth the money.

It sucks to me....

Pushing Daisies - 5 Stars

Pushing daisies television show on ABC gets my 5 stars!!!!!

I’ve been watching Pushing Daisies since the start of the season and was in love with the show from the start. Why:

• Jim Dale (the voice of Harry Potter) as the narrator. He has such a rich and warm voice which no one can help but love.
• Great chemistry between all the cast of actors and actress.
• Good solid story writing with a nice level of humor.
• Fantastic story & character concept which drives the story beyond storytelling.
  
• Sub story lines that cross from show to show. These subtle story lines and jokes which will be enjoyed by those who’ve watch previous shows. It's like getting an inside joke.
  
• Great 1 hour stories so even if this is the first time you’ve watched, you will completely understand what is going on.
• Great intro short. This 30 second start of every show tells everyone what Ned (the main characters) special ‘powers’ are and his respect given to them
• Wonderful, and almost classic style, love story between the Ned and Charlotte. This respect for romance and not modern day lust makes for a solid building of characters and truly helps the audience, fall in love with the characters.
• Enriching visuals make the story take on a bit of a comic book feel. This makes for a very inviting and warm show. It literally is nothing like what is on TV. Very refreshing! Kudos to production designer Michael Wylie.
• Kick butt music track done by composer James Dooley who produces very emotional music to compliment the acting and visuals.
• Great lighting effects. These compliment the comic book warmth and really makes the view feel like they are watching a Broadway performance on stage.
• Interesting timeless feel of mixing modern day with the retro 50’s & 60’s. For instance in one scene the left background had a classic car, while in the right background a modern day SUV was parked. Wardrobe, colors, props, etc. all mix retro & modern with each other and none of them clash or compete with each other. This alone take great skill.
• No Sex. Go figure… a modern day prime time show, which features two character who are madly in love with each other, and who have never been in love (or bed) with anyone else, AND who can’t touch each other. The classic love and romance drive the story so much further than one would expect. I guess the producers and directors of the past had it right. Concentrate on a good story, pepper it with fantastic acting, and top it off with good camera and audio and you’ve got a winner! Amazing.
• Comedy & Story. This is a well written show. The comedy is well worked into the story which makes if feel very natural and not forced. This is no Seinfeld, but you will laugh and smile.
• Good for the whole family. Nothing will scare the kids, Nothing will embarrass you in front of your parents, Nothing will bring you down, Nothing will make think twice about watching the and enjoying the show. Good fun for 1 hour.
• Oh and did I mention it is narrated by Jim Dale? Ah yes, I did. I bet you can guess that this is my favorite part of the show.
  

So.... go.... go to ABC online and watch the shows. go....

Exploding Computer

Exploding Computer - For more funny videos, click here

Don't get Fooled

Bloody Sunday

Download YouTube Videos with ATube Catcher

ATube Catcher is an easy way to download and/or convert videos from web sites like YouTube, Stage6, MySpace, Dailymotion, etc to your computer or your mobile device, IPOD, PSP, Cell Phone, DVD, VCD, etc.

Golf

Charlie the Unicorn

St. Louis Cops

Well it appears that St. Louis cops are a bit out of control. It seems that the power granted to them by the people, they have taken now as a right. It appears that some corruption is getting national attention. Good! Like the saying goes, power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. LINK

This month, however, scandals within the Saint Louis Police Department which otherwise would have been a local story, gathered national attention and fueled additional resentment. Some $40,000 in cash turned up "missing" from the police evidence room on September 17. The city of St. George was forced to fire Sergeant James Kuehnlein for his threat to "come up with reasons" to "lock up" Darrow. An investigation into whether Kuehnlein's actions merit criminal charges is under way. Darrow met on Monday with a Saint Louis County Police Department detective.

Missouri Police on Power Trip

Sergeant James Kuehnlein did have the right to pull 20 year old Brett Darrow over. He was well within his rights to ask for ID. Yet when the kid asked a few too many questions, Officer Kuehnlein went off on the kid.

Watch and listen to the video. Officer Kuehnlein threatened to make up charges, impound the kids car and send him to jail.

Sergeant James Kuehnlein is suppose to serve and protect. Not harass, and make the law up. It's ashame that he gives Missouri a bad name.

Fox News: Trees cause global warming

Further proof that Fox News has no editors, no fact checking, and no common sense. Ok, Fox news really aint a news station. It's really just a video tabloid. Sheesh!

Note: their next story is said to be on how not having children will allow the rest of us to have more oxygen, food and gasoline.

Southwest Airlines - Can't seem to get it together.

Great post at BoingBoing (& almost everywhere) regarding a woman, asked by a Southwest Airlines man to come with him. He then says her dress is offensive and that she will need to adjust it. WTF? ... and Southwest backs up the man's story.

Kyla Ebbert, 23, was recently escorted off a Southwest Airlines flight by a male customer service supervisor for wearing the outfit shown in this photograph. The college student and Hooters waitress was later permitted to return to the plane and take her flight, but only after she put up a fuss and adjusted her outfit.

So really, What is appropriate dress for flying? Who should decide what is appropriate? Should airlines have a dress code? And without a dress code, can an airline block someone from flying? The next step, ugly people.... should they be allowed to fly, or have to bring their own sack to cover their heads.

Kerr Mansion and Conference Center

Over the Labor Day weekend, my wife and I stayed at the Kerr Mansion. It was wonderful! I highly recommend this bed and breakfast to anyone who needs a relaxing place to stay (or a large place to hold a party).

though this is tucked away in the foothills of Oklahoma, don't let that lead you astray. The Kerr Center has many amenities that compete with the larger (and pricier) 4 star resorts:

• Stay in the uniquely decorated President rooms in the main house, or take a more secluded room in the nearby cabins (just a short walk from the main house).
• Fantastic views of the Poteau River Valley. I can't seem to stress this enough. It seems like almost every outdoor area has wonderful vistas. This really is a great place to sit and let your mind relax.
  
• Breakfast in the large dining room.
• Several Seminar rooms
  
• 24 hour WiFi in the seminar and dining areas, and great cell reception over the entire center.
  
• Nicely kept grounds with plenty of space to be with friend. It also has many places to sit, relax and escape the hustle and bussel.
• Beautiful Architecture and landscaping.
• They have everything else a nice hotel would have; Pool, AC, good parking, cable, etc.
  
• Next to the mansion is a museum, which depicts the history and development of Eastern Oklahoma.
• Just 15 minute drive away is the town of Poteau with a variety of stores, food, and friendly people.
• And don't forget the great room rates.
  

Visit the Kerr Mansion webpage

Robert S. Kerr Conference Center & Museum, the home of the first native born Governor of Oklahoma and long-time U.S. Senator, the late Robert S. Kerr. The Kerr family donated the 11,000 square foot home to the State of Oklahoma in 1978 and it was eventually opened as a Bed-n-Breakfast. The home was started in 1957 and completed in 1960.

The home is now a romantic hide-a-way with meeting facilities for business travelers or seclusion for pleasure travelers. Amenities include 20 lodging rooms and more than 40 beds, three meeting rooms, a large dining area, plus a swimming pool.