tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34372758120752467162023-03-26T17:07:02.826-07:00His Delusions of GrandeurTravis J. Kehoe is a Gen-X blogger who grew up during the heady sugarcoated hyperactive overly commercialized pop-culture era of the 80s and 90s. He earned a Master of Science degree in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University and a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Studies and Film Production from Burlington College. He currently lives in Vermont with his wife, Jaclyn, his son Xavier, and two crazily entertaining Siamese cats, Riku and Diva (yes, named for the characters in Blood +).CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-5970407114812328262014-04-15T13:29:00.000-07:002014-04-15T13:29:06.404-07:00Nemo's Reef<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mjHGFoW-dgw/U02ISyXGUGI/AAAAAAAABWE/PCQ5T_lzVNk/s1600/Nemo's+Reef.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mjHGFoW-dgw/U02ISyXGUGI/AAAAAAAABWE/PCQ5T_lzVNk/s1600/Nemo's+Reef.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Parenting, man: who knew it would
take up so much of your valuable gaming time? I mean, I have tried everything
to get my now sixteen-month old to engage and game with me, but he just won’t
do it. We tried a little Minecraft together and at first he was distracted by
the colors or maybe it was the game’s aesthetics? Okay, okay, it was the sounds
the cows, sheep, and pigs were making. And before you get all PETA on me, I
promise you none of the virtual animals were hurt in the creation of this post.
No, that’s a lie, too. I’ve tried to make my character into a vegan, but why
eat mushroom stew when beef and pork is so plentiful? But ultimately he gave up
on the gameplay in favor of chewing on the left joystick on my Xbox controller.
I don’t blame him, though; they do have an interesting texture and a surprisingly
mellow yet distinctive flavor. I tried to bribe him with an old 3rd party
Dreamcast controller but he wasn’t biting (get it? Biting? Ha, I kill me!). I
guess once you have a taste for Xbox, no other can replace the craving. So,
long story short, it was the end of our short-lived foray into gaming together:
or was it? Upon his first trip to his new pediatrician’s office out here on the
west coast I noticed just how fascinated he was with the fish tank, something
that unfortunately due to the two crazy Siamese cats that I mention in my bio,
we cannot have in our home. But thanks to a quick search on the App Store, I
found the next best thing: Enter Nemo’s Reef.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHaUCY9C-TQ/U02IugrKwvI/AAAAAAAABWQ/snF2CXlKRbk/s1600/mzl.dnbnfjcg.1024x1024-65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHaUCY9C-TQ/U02IugrKwvI/AAAAAAAABWQ/snF2CXlKRbk/s1600/mzl.dnbnfjcg.1024x1024-65.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">It’s been a little bit now since I
bowed out of Clash of Clans because of the fact I was going to have to spend
real world money, my other half letting me down in the troop support department,
and the fact that my Clan was East Coast and I’m now West Coast (I don’t even
think I need to get into the dangerous politics of that). I thought my days of
time-wasting mobile games were done, but oh how wrong I was. Nemo’s Reef has
become the kind of obsession that I managed to escape while playing <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2013/06/clash-of-clans.html" target="_blank">Clash ofClans</a>, maybe because I never made a promise not to spend money or maybe because
I was playing for my son. I mean I’m totally playing this game meant for
children four and up for my son. There is no way that I’m spending what little
free time I have playing this game for my own satisfaction, right? I only spent
every last pearl we had saved up for weeks trying to get the limited edition
Flame Angelfish for him, not for me. And when I fell short it was only because
I didn’t want to see the disappointment in those little toddler eyes of his
that I forked over the $1.99 for the 85 Pearls that allowed me to stop that
said fish from escaping our reef and I totally didn’t freak out when I then
discovered the fish was worthless and would cost me, ahem I mean us, 25,000 Algae
just to produce a single stinking pearl. And I definitely didn’t shake back and
forth curled up in a fetal position in our shower letting the ice-cold water
try and wash that dirty feeling away after spending real money on a free game
over the thought of missing out on an opportunity to add a fake fish to my
reef! </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIBcPwaTsNM/U02KmqLOdXI/AAAAAAAABWY/e_H8V5REDpc/s1600/FieryGem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIBcPwaTsNM/U02KmqLOdXI/AAAAAAAABWY/e_H8V5REDpc/s1600/FieryGem.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The elusive Flame Angelfish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">Okay, I admit it, he has a problem and I am a little worried about the
time he spends in front of the iPad playing this game. I mean, when he’s not
playing it he’s so nice and outgoing, but just let him try and complete one of
Mr. Ray’s homework assignments and it’s like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It’s
crazy to watch him stare at the screen with a look of contempt as Mr. Ray tries
to scam more Pearls out of him requesting him to Grow 3 Rare Plants from any
type of Rare Seed. I mean, really Mr. Ray? Wasn’t that the homework yesterday?
And you say any type of Rare Seed but what you’re really saying is don’t even
bother wasting your time with Mystery Seeds; it’s not the 1,200 Sand Dollar
price tag that will get you, it’s the 200 Algae per growth cycle. For those of
you not familiar with the game, each item from the Nursery, minus the Specials,
require you to spend Sand Dollars or Pearls to purchase them and then three
cycles of Algae-fueled growth to reach their full potential. So to grow a single
Mystery Seed you’re talking about a 600 Algae commitment on top of the 1,200 Sand
Dollar initial investment. Although I’m not really complaining about the Sand Dollar
part since they practically grow on trees. Well, maybe not a tree, but Giant
Green Seabushes for sure. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSmcN-dNrOc/U02OIH1DyYI/AAAAAAAABWs/k-FcCpp2ABQ/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSmcN-dNrOc/U02OIH1DyYI/AAAAAAAABWs/k-FcCpp2ABQ/s1600/image.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example of Mr. Ray and his assignments </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">You see, Sand Dollars are produced by Living Plants and
Algae is produced by Coral, but it has been my experience that you always have
more than enough Sand Dollars and never enough Algae because you only use Sand Dollars
for the initial purchase; it’s Algae that’s used for every growth cycle and the
more you grow the quicker you burn through it. Also, once you are lucky enough
to grow some of the Rare Plants you attract Rare Fish that will produce Pearls
for you if fed Algae, but we’ll get into that after. First, let’s finish
talking about what an a#$ Mr. Ray really is by asking you to grow these Rare
Plants. Let’s talk options: as previously mentioned, you can try and grow them
using Mystery Seeds at 1,200 Sand Dollars and 600 Algae a pop, but we’re not
talking a 3,600 Sand Dollar 1,800 Algae commitment. No, on average it takes
five Mystery Seeds to grow one Rare Plant. That’s right, the game cheats and
causes you to grow worthless Ornamental Plants that you have no use for, so
we’re talking a 6,000 Sand Dollar 3,000 Algae commitment to possibly grow one
of the three Rare Plants needed to complete Mr. Ray’s Homework. To grow all
three you’re talking about upwards off 18,000 Sand Dollars and 9,000 Algae if
you’re lucky enough to grow all three Rare Plants after that and not end up with
just a pile of Red Branches, Turquoise Stems or Lilac Cirripathes. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">And what’s
the Reward for all of your effort? A measly 1,500 XP and 450 Sand Dollars. I
swear to god it seems like every other day Mr. Ray is demanding this of us. Now
it wouldn’t be so bad if the reward for completing your Homework was Pearls,
but that’s no longer the case. Yeah, that’s right, Mr. Ray used to hand out
Pearls like proverbial gold stars but that came to a crashing halt around the
same time I spent real world money for that useless Flame Angelfish. I’m not
sure if it was because I bought Pearls or if once you complete each day of
homework for the first time the Pearls come of the table (seriously if someone
has that answer please clue me in, I’d look it up but I’m lazy and I feel bad
enough about the amount of time I spend on this game) but now he just hands out
XP and either Algae or Sand Dollars but never enough to really make it worth
your while. Sure sometimes we luck out and he happens to ask us to do something
we’re already going to do like Feed Three Rare Fish, but usually it’s the
planting of Rare Seeds and sure, you have other options to grow your three Rare
Plants, but they’re equally crappy and involve spending Pearls or an even more
obscene amount of Sand Dollars and Algae. You can use the unholy Enigmatic Seed
for a mere 10,000 Sand Dollars and 2,000 Algae a growth cycle (6,000 total) for
a chance (that’s right a chance) of growing one Rare Plant. If it isn’t bad
enough that buying an Enigmatic Seed is going to break your bank, it doesn’t
even guarantee you a Rare Plant? Screw that! If you want a guaranteed Rare
Plant you have no choice but to use Pearls to either grow an Extraordinary
Mystery Seed for 10 Pearls and 10 Algae a cycle (30 total) or a Spectacular
Seed for 45 Pearls and 100 Algae a cycle (300 total). None of these options are
worth the payout that Mr. Ray is offering and you’re better off growing Rare
Plants because you want to catch the Special Rare Fish that they offer during
select weekends like the previously mentioned Flame Angelfish that turned out
to have a horrible return on investment. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZBvhXlZdV8/U02NTbjnHcI/AAAAAAAABWk/r51PyAhoFfE/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZBvhXlZdV8/U02NTbjnHcI/AAAAAAAABWk/r51PyAhoFfE/s1600/photo.PNG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rare Seeds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">So if that’s the case and Pearls (not
cash) rule everything around me, how can you get said item without dropping a
chunk of your actual cold hard cash? Well, I’m glad you asked. There are two
ways that I know of; three really if you don’t mind pimping yourself out for
the “free” Pearls, but just like the old saying goes, nothing in this life is
free and I already fell for this “free” game that I spent $1.99 on. No, the two
ways to get Pearls without doing anything shady or leaving you with that
unclean feeling are logging in and playing every day. When you do this, after
three days you are rewarded with a single Pearl. If you make it to four days, you’re
rewarded with two pearls and if you make it five days in a row you hit the
mother load of five Pearls by showing your undying loyalty. For you curious
types there is a reward of 10 Sand Dollars the first day you log on and 100
Sand Dollars for the second day, but that is just the foreplay before you start
earning those Pearls. Once you reach day five the cycle starts anew. So for
those of you playing along at home, for every 30 days you play in a row without
missing a single day you earn 48 Pearls, which is enough for a single
Spectacular Seed with three Pearls to spare. Starting to understand what kind
of sociopath Mr. Ray really is? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">But don’t get down; there is another way to
earn Pearls and that is by feeding Rare Fish Algae. When you do this, they
produce a single pearl after a 72-hour cycle. So, using the example of the Flame
Angelfish, if you spend 25,000 Algae to feed it, the fish will produce a single
Pearl in 72 hours. That one isn’t exactly worth it, but luckily there are more
cost effective fish like the Green Parrotfish who will produce a Pearl for 250
Algae. So how do you get these Rare Fish? By growing Rare Plants. Wait, isn’t
that what Mr. Ray asked us to do? Yeah, it is, but you want to Grow Rare Plants
when you’re ready, not when Mr. Ray says so. It’s always nice to have a nest
egg of Pearls for the weekends when the game brings in the Special Rare Fish or
when you want to buy some of the Coral or Living Plants that can only be bought
with Pearls or to open Treasure Chests if that is your thing. Yeah, random
Treasure Chests appear and can be opened at the cost of Pearls, and sometimes
the reward is great like spending six Pearls to open one chest and finding
eleven Pearls inside, but most of the time it’s either just Sand Dollars or
Algae and overall not worth my time. Sometimes to complete the weekend missions
you must open chests and I’ll admit every now and then the game throws you a
bone and gives you a free chest or one that can be opened with Sand Dollars,
but most of the time it wants your Pearls. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yl1lFLCfVFs/U02R6HLntMI/AAAAAAAABW4/S3sS3NYqSbU/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yl1lFLCfVFs/U02R6HLntMI/AAAAAAAABW4/S3sS3NYqSbU/s1600/photo.PNG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the Algae farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">That’s why Mr. Ray (and this game as
a whole) is brilliantly designed because sure you can survive in the reef
without forking over your ducats, but it isn’t easy and sometimes it’s just
impossible, especially if you get your heart set on trying to capture a certain
elusive weekend special. My advice would be to run away screaming and don’t
even get yourself involved in this madness, but if you can’t help yourself and
you have to explore the reef, go in with open eyes and do everything in your
power to create as much Algae as you can. Because, in a world ruled by Pearls,
Algae is a man’s best friend. Having an Algae farm will allow you to have
plenty of Algae to feed those Rare Fish and gain Pearls and it will also allow
you the ability to waste thousands of Algae at a time trying to grow Rare
Plants with regular old Mystery Seeds. Plus, it won’t cost you a dime; just
hours and hours of your life, but don’t worry about that, right? Think about
that after it’s much too late and your child (now an adult) won’t return your
phone calls because you spent his childhood glued to an iPad trying to populate
a virtual reef with virtual fish for his benefit. If you do decide to get your
feet wet, then look us up: our profile name is Xavier112213, but don’t say I
didn’t warn you when Mr. Ray demands the blood of your first child for an
opportunity at 1,300 XP and 500 Algae. </span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-27133052922877279312014-02-24T11:55:00.002-08:002014-02-24T11:55:49.031-08:00Banana Pancakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pGSpCiVaUds/UwugiNLfQmI/AAAAAAAABU8/XzlyXyzWNKo/s1600/IMG_4122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pGSpCiVaUds/UwugiNLfQmI/AAAAAAAABU8/XzlyXyzWNKo/s1600/IMG_4122.jpg" height="400" width="397" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
“But, baby, you hardly even notice,
when I try to show you this, song is meant to keep ya, from doing what you're
supposed to, waking up too early, maybe we can sleep in, make you banana
pancakes, pretend like it's the weekend now…” – <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jack-Johnson/e/B000APQ5MC/ref=sr_1_1_acs_ent_artist?qid=1393271495&sr=8-1-acs" target="_blank">Jack Johnson</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
You can love him or hate him, but
in this house <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jack-Johnson/e/B000APQ5MC/ref=sr_1_1_acs_ent_artist?qid=1393271495&sr=8-1-acs" target="_blank">Jack Johnson</a> is the man. The mellow acoustic jams and family
friendly lyrics are perfect to listen to with our little guy without having to
worry just which four letter word he’s going to pick up like most music on the
radio, or should I say <a href="http://www.pandora.com/" target="_blank">Pandora</a> because I don’t remember the last time I
listened to the radio outside of the car when Jaclyn is driving. Maybe it’s
because <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007GAEVW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0007GAEVW&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">In Between Dreams</a> is in heavy rotation around these parts or maybe it’s
Maybelline, but Banana Pancakes has become more than just an anthem for lazy
days; it’s now become a favorite breakfast recipe as well. And I know, I know,
the recipe is not the usual kind I make because, well, where’s the bacon? Where’s
the beer? Where’s the crazy? Well settle down and give it a second. When I’m
making food for The Professor I have to tone down the crazy, at least a little
bit, but when the son goes down here comes the moon and I let the wolf out, or
at least the pig? In other words yeah you can make these pancakes as advertised
or you can add a little peanut butter, some chocolate chips and of course
everyone’s favorite meat candy and have some out of this world pancakes that
are anything but baby friendly. On any other day I’d love to smoother said pancakes
in a little Jack Daniel’s laced syrup as well, but much like the lyrics to the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jack-Johnson/e/B000APQ5MC/ref=sr_1_1_acs_ent_artist?qid=1393271495&sr=8-1-acs" target="_blank">Jack Johnson</a> song we’re only pretending this is the weekend; J still has to
work so this recipe remains alcohol free, but hey there’s always next
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Like most things that I make in my
kitchen, this recipe comes from the Internet and was submitted by user <a href="http://allrecipes.com/cook/1871017/profile.aspx" target="_blank">ADDEAN1</a>
to <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/banana-pancakes-i/" target="_blank">Allrecipes.com</a>. I’ve included the link, but just incase something disappears
or changes I’ve also listed the recipe below: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JdEnrl84bJ4/UwuhYDAFBwI/AAAAAAAABVM/o8B8uBZ99ms/s1600/IMG_4119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JdEnrl84bJ4/UwuhYDAFBwI/AAAAAAAABVM/o8B8uBZ99ms/s1600/IMG_4119.jpg" height="400" width="392" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
Banana
Pancakes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Ingredients: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
1 cup all-purpose flour<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1 tablespoon white sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
2 teaspoons baking powder<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1/4 teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
1 egg, beaten<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>1
cup milk<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
2 tablespoons vegetable oil<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2 ripe bananas, mashed</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">Directions:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Combine
flour, white sugar, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together
egg, milk, vegetable oil and bananas.*</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. Stir
flour mixture into banana mixture; batter will be slightly lumpy.**</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: -0.25in;">3. Heat
a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the
batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake.*** Cook
until pancakes are golden brown on both sides; serve hot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
*And when you’re ready to step it
up a notch this is where you’d add 1/2 cup of Peanut Butter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
**For extra flavor action add three
strips of crumbled up bacon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
***For the final level of insanity
I add chocolate chips by hand once the batter is already on the griddle to ensure
each pancake gets it’s fair share of chocolaty goodness. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JPSB4jfiIT8/UwuiO6p5ZGI/AAAAAAAABVU/Btf-m-VK_pc/s1600/IMG_4153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JPSB4jfiIT8/UwuiO6p5ZGI/AAAAAAAABVU/Btf-m-VK_pc/s1600/IMG_4153.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
So there you have it, an awesome
recipe for Banana Pancakes and a great way to start out any day, whether or not
it’s the weekend or even raining outside. Did you try the recipe and think you
can do better? Or did your grandmother pass you down a family recipe that you
think is better than this one and you feel like sharing it? Either way, feel
free to leave comments below and let me know what you think of the banana pancakes
or submit a crazy recipe that you’ve found on the Internet and I just might
make it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Stay Hungry my friends…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kYRDF_9__eY/UwufoHgNHGI/AAAAAAAABUw/MHrvgz8pfNo/s1600/IMG_4128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kYRDF_9__eY/UwufoHgNHGI/AAAAAAAABUw/MHrvgz8pfNo/s1600/IMG_4128.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lil' dude abides</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-9863550521322619502013-09-25T11:30:00.000-07:002014-03-22T19:41:29.482-07:00Why I Write<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1742</o:Words>
<o:Characters>9936</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ill-Co. Productions</o:Company>
<o:Lines>82</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>23</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>11655</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1wk6Hb9vr_0/UkMl65XS9YI/AAAAAAAABTM/0dJxzDSf-k4/s1600/writing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1wk6Hb9vr_0/UkMl65XS9YI/AAAAAAAABTM/0dJxzDSf-k4/s400/writing.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">As I lay in bed this morning,
unfortunately mere minutes before my alarm was supposed to sound, I had one
question and one question alone on my mind: Why write? There are a ton of
professions I could long for, many different dream jobs I could aspire to. So
why do I write? It’s a simple question to think about really. Why do any of us
do the things that we do? Why are we compelled or driven rocketing towards one
goal while completely avoiding others? I often find when we’re exploring things
that should be the most basic we find that the answers are not so simple. For instance,
why I write.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsZiDZPxg04/UkMrT_2Lh3I/AAAAAAAABT0/X14KxyzJ0Z8/s1600/581791_10151605664242645_538130481_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsZiDZPxg04/UkMrT_2Lh3I/AAAAAAAABT0/X14KxyzJ0Z8/s400/581791_10151605664242645_538130481_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof of early drawing skills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">I would argue I write because I
cannot draw, paint, sculpt or compose music, but I can compose prose. I never
gained the discipline to do any of those other things, and yes I do understand
that it takes a certain level of talent to master them, but I never got out of
the starting gate. If I went back in time and asked my eight year-old self, “What
do you want to be when you grow up?” I can tell you right now unequivocally it
would be an animator for Disney. That eight year-old never found out about Cal
Arts though, never knew that there is a path to chasing that dream, just was
told, “Good luck kid, you’ll need it.” I didn’t get this advice from my
parents, who were both hard working individuals with nine to fives, supporting
my brother and me. No, it was the world that answered back in kind and sadly I
bought into it. I believed I would never be a good enough artist to draw for
Disney so why even try? And the funny thing about life folks is days turn into
weeks, and weeks into months and months into years and now here I am sitting at
my computer twenty-four years later very much not an animator at Disney. “But
wait,” you might say, “it’s never too late.” And you’re right, it isn’t. I’ve
only spent thirty-two years on this earth and with any luck I have at least
thirty-two more (many more than that I hope). I could start drawing every day
and really polish up my skill, build a portfolio and become an animator late in
life. Dreams are realized every day, why not this one? I think I asked myself
this question as well as pose it to you. Is it because it would be too hard and
that’s not what we look for out of life? Sure we love a challenge, but don’t we
like a little calculated risk? Very seldom do we feel comfortable laying it all
out on the line in order to achieve something that we really want. It’s a hell
of a lot easier to stay unhappy but comfortable. And in all honesty that’s
where I’ve spent a good portion of my adult life: unhappy but comfortable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D24xXjtXmp4/UkMqE-JdzcI/AAAAAAAABTs/BsjVfi3tTys/s1600/920132_10151547665207645_1166569867_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D24xXjtXmp4/UkMqE-JdzcI/AAAAAAAABTs/BsjVfi3tTys/s400/920132_10151547665207645_1166569867_o.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son visiting me at work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">Until recently, I made a darn good
living as a Lead Standardization Crew (LSC) two man as a fulltime member of the
Vermont Air National Guard. I joined the guard back in 2001 when I called my
father up from Atlanta Georgia to say I needed some direction in my life and,
more importantly, I needed help. To digress a little bit (I promise I’ll pull
it all back together) I wasn’t the strongest of students in high school. It’s
not to say I couldn’t do the work, I could. It just didn’t interest me. I had
my life to live, or so I thought. I didn’t have time for classes. Besides, who
needed them? I was going to be a rock star (did I mention I was in a band?). When
high school was at its end and I was finally done with all the stuff I had to
do, it was time to set off into the world and do what I wanted to do. Only, that’s
not what happened. I found myself working, which is what happens when you mess
around in high school and don’t have a career path to rocket towards. While my
friends were off at college (I should say some of my friends, others were and
still are just hanging out) I moved to Woodstock Georgia with a girlfriend to
continue work at Costco Wholesale. First off, Costco isn’t a bad gig. It pays
well for what it is, and how many other companies would give a nineteen
year-old an opportunity to move anywhere in the country and have a job waiting?
Yeah, the answer is not many. The problem was I wasn’t a rock star; I was a
Costco employee. Sure I made good money and had benefits, something someone
with barely a high school education should’ve been psyched for, but I wasn’t. I
had what from the outside looked like a good life but I was unhappy; I wanted
more. I didn’t want twenty years of my life to go by and have money but a deep
feeling of unfulfillment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ADHxug0dAc/UkMovUXMYFI/AAAAAAAABTg/xC8vKBL9C1Y/s1600/74389_1428785570440_1425535_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ADHxug0dAc/UkMovUXMYFI/AAAAAAAABTg/xC8vKBL9C1Y/s400/74389_1428785570440_1425535_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: My Uncle, my father and me deployed together in 2006.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">I called my Dad who was still in Vermont and did
something completely out of character for me; I reached out and asked for help.
Admitting I was wrong and in way over my head isn’t something that’s easy for
me. I’m more of the suffer silently type or, if you’ve read some of my other
blogs, the suffer not so silently type. I picked up the phone, asked for help
and help was given. Before I could blink I was back in Vermont and walking down
a very different path, a path that my father had walked down himself, a path
that he understood. He brought me to see an Air National Guard recruiter and
traded my soul for a backpack and a glass mug with the 158th Fighter Wing logo on
it (If you’re reading this Dad I left both of those items behind for you). I
jest with the soul comment; it’s more of an inside joke between my Dad and I. The
truth is, I joined something that day. Something that I didn’t fully understand
until I woke up at four forty-five this morning and knew I had to start writing
this. I joined a family when I joined the military. Like all families, they
have their own set of rules, their own internal politics that you don’t necessarily
understand and authority you most certainly question more than agree with, but
it’s a family, and families don’t always get a long. For the past twelve and a
half years (thirteen in February) I’ve served as an Airman in the Vermont Air
National guard. Because of my military service I’ve traveled all of the country,
seeing Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, South Carolina and Virginia for the first time
as well as having the pleasure of visiting such splendid countries as Qatar and
Iraq (full disclosure: Qatar isn’t that bad). I was able to attend college even
with my less than stellar high school performance and then after college, I was
able to move on to grad school. I was able to marry my soul mate, and yes I
might’ve been able to do that without the military but hey, they did foot the
bill so I’m going to give credit where credit is due. I was able to buy my
first house with a VA loan and they covered the cost of the birth of my first
child. Not bad when you sit back and look at it. Most importantly, it also
allowed me a place to grow and mature and offered me life experiences that I
might not have ever gained elsewhere or if I stayed on my Costco path. But just
like Costco, the military had an expiration date for me. It was always supposed
to be a stepping-stone and I had overstayed my welcome. I remember the exact
day I thought of this and it was admittedly many, many years earlier on one of
the trips previously mentioned. Mid-shift I got a lunch break from the flight
line and walked into the chow hall. Sitting there was one of the crustiest
Technical Sergeants I’ve ever had the pleasure of laying eyes on. His wrinkles
had wrinkles and I’d be lying if I ‘d guessed he was a day over seventy. He was
forty-two. That number stands out to me, one because it’s the answer to the ultimate
question of life, the universe, and everything, but more importantly it’s the
age I would’ve been when I reached my twenty-year mark and was able to retire
from the military. It meant that staring into the dead milky eyes of this
sergeant was like there by the grace of god, go I. I shutter now to think about
him and I hope for his sake that he was just having an off day, but I doubt it.
No, I knew that I needed to get out and I needed to do it immediately before my
eyes matched his, or a lions at the zoo still missing the plains of Africa.
Sure you’re alive, you can walk around and be paraded in front of strangers,
but you’re dead on the inside. </span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%;">Whatever
doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? And I’m not dead yet, but I am a
sum of all my parts. As much as my military time wasn’t all happy days, the
military is still part of who I am and part of how I see myself. So what does
that have to do with the question that I posed: Why do I write? The short
answer is because that’s the medium I’ve found I can express myself most
clearly. Yes I have a conversational tone, and no I don’t think it’s a bad
thing. I enjoy reading pieces where I can clearly hear the writers voice and
understand just what part of them they’ve poured into their prose for the whole
world to see. I promised you before when I went off on my long diatribe on my military
time it would tie into why I want to write and here it is: because for twelve
and a half years (thirteen in February) I haven’t dreamt of anything else. And
I write this sitting here in Los Angeles California no longer a resident of
Vermont, and no longer the LSC two man because I’ve taken that leap of faith
and begun the long and arduous journey of becoming that writer. That’s right, I
jumped and now I’m free falling through life and if you want to know if it’s
hard, it is. Is it scary? It is. Do I find myself questioning my choice of
taking the road less traveled? I do. Will this all be worth it in the end to
see a dream realized? It will.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BM3iJIr6JvE/UkMoDK9ViJI/AAAAAAAABTY/sIsbPvVQqXU/s1600/600055_3334351368394_1387982251_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BM3iJIr6JvE/UkMoDK9ViJI/AAAAAAAABTY/sIsbPvVQqXU/s400/600055_3334351368394_1387982251_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
But Travis, what if you fail? Asks
the voices in my head daily as well as concerned friends and family. I might. I
mean, in all honesty the chips are stacked against me; there is a much higher
chance of me failing than ever being a successful writer. But the thing that’s
bugged me, that’s literally nagged at me for years and years is this; there’s
that chance that I might succeed as well.
Mind blowing, right? Okay, not really, but that is the simple truth. I
might fail and yes there is plenty of opportunity for that, but there’s that
very slim chance that I might not. And that has been enough to keep me awake at
night and hungry. Hungry enough to walk away from a steady income and relative
job security to roll it all on a dream. These are trying times my friends and
more often than not I find myself staring at a blank page with nothing but self-doubt
and self-hatred swirling through my head. Have I made a huge mistake? Am I
wrong? Is this just some delusion of grandeur I long ago dreamt up? I don’t
know. I guess only time will tell. But I do know one thing: even after all I’ve
been through and all that I’m currently facing one thing still holds true. I
want to, no, need to write. So why do I write? Simply because I have to. I feel
driven and/or compelled to create stories because I can hear my characters
talking to me, and because I need to leave my mark on this world. I write
because I can’t draw, paint, sculpt or compose music. I write because it makes
this world make sense to me. I write for my own sanity and happiness. And I
think if I can remember that last one I might actually overcome my fear of my
inner critic and defeat the blank pages that lie in front of me. So now you
know the score, you know why I’m here and why I’m writing this. I’ll leave you
with some words that, if you know me you know what they mean to me, and if you
just met me through this post I have a feeling you now know what they mean to
me as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life
and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed?” –Hunter
S. Thompson<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Well fellow readers, we are off of
the shore now. Let’s see what the storm of life has to offer, shall we? Don’t
worry, now that I got this off of my chest I’ll get back to talking about
videogames, movies and beer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-39203197049378660942013-06-28T09:56:00.001-07:002013-06-28T09:56:54.431-07:00Clash of Clans<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yuRW9M_A3AA/Uc25vz-PjYI/AAAAAAAABSU/SAXVE_aZ4Rw/s500/COC.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yuRW9M_A3AA/Uc25vz-PjYI/AAAAAAAABSU/SAXVE_aZ4Rw/s400/COC.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">So my time that was once devoted to
such things as a quest to beat </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I0GF72/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002I0GF72&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Zelda</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> (I haven’t quit yet, I was just delayed)
and </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BU3ZLJQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BU3ZLJQ&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Minecraft</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> on both my iPhone (I deleted my game level by accident) and </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BBU8VFY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BBU8VFY&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Xbox</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> has now been taken over with a new obsession: Clash of Clans. Somehow I managed
to escape Farmville and Mafia Wars, but I was sucked into Clash of Clans by a
co-worker. At first I thought this was going to be just a brief obsession that
would quickly fizzle out. The game is pretty simplistic, but somehow something
that started out as a time waster back in February has turned into a
juggernaut. I’ve made it thus far without spending a single dime on this “free”
game, but the temptation is growing. I mean, who doesn’t want a Barbarian King,
right? And I now find myself asking just how bad do I still want Dragon’s now
that my wife has gone all Daenerys Targaryen on me? Oh yeah, that’s right, even
my wife is sucked in now…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d3I6ibfc29w/Uc25ZZ4Xe9I/AAAAAAAABSM/KaAAsZ0WRbo/s480/Clash+of+Clans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d3I6ibfc29w/Uc25ZZ4Xe9I/AAAAAAAABSM/KaAAsZ0WRbo/s400/Clash+of+Clans.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">It started out innocent enough back
in February (queue the dissolve) when Brandon (winner of the <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/01/bet.html#more" target="_blank">mustache bet</a>) came
into drill and said, “You have to play this new iPhone game.” He walked me
through the tutorial and I didn’t think much about it.</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%;">The game seemed okay I guess, but nothing to
write home about. His level looked neat and part of me was jealous over how
much stuff he had already amassed, but overall I just thought the game was kind
of dumb.</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%;">In the end though, he did get
Mini and I to both download it and we were off to the races. Throughout the day
I continued to check in on my level, upgrading stuff as I did with the ultimate
goal being to join Brandon’s clan. I was pretty sure once I joined the clan
that it would be the end of the game for me, but hey it wasn’t hurting anything
to play for now, right? I continued to struggle through the beginning watching
the time to upgrade each new mine or defensive building grow longer and longer.
Brandon mentioned you could spend money on the game to buy gems and speed
things up, but why would I want to do that when I could just slowly wait for
everything to build for free? Then, as drill came to a close, my shield went
down for the first time and I was attacked; my village destroyed and my
resources stolen. I can’t even remember anymore what I was saving up for, but I
remember being pissed that I had lost so much ground overnight. It was a
virtual arms race between Mini and I now to see which one of us would get to
join the clan first. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1InAwqcIYo8/Uc264qK4zpI/AAAAAAAABSk/fzt2HBJBiBI/s550/COC_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1InAwqcIYo8/Uc264qK4zpI/AAAAAAAABSk/fzt2HBJBiBI/s400/COC_1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">We started on the same day at the same time and I knew I
wanted to be in the clan first and since Brandon hadn’t spent money on the
game, I didn’t want to either. Sure it would be easier to catch up or exceed
him if I dropped a couple of bucks on some gems, but why would I want to do
that? He created his village without spending real money and now I needed to as
well. I think this has to do with the sting of losing $50 over the mustache and
I knew I couldn’t be defeated again (damn pride). Somewhere in the first week
in I managed to save up the $40,000 gold to fix up my clan castle and I was
able to join Brandon’s clan, The Deltas. Not the most creative name and more of
an inside joke in my former shop, but I was officially in the clan (I’m in the
goddamn club, aren’t I?). I think Mini joined around the same time and we were
a clan of three. Meanwhile, Brandon was actively recruiting other members of
our shop into the clan. I had no faith this would ever happen. We’re talking
about hardened sports fanatics that own gaming systems, but only to be sure
that they can play the latest versions of </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CF7KVMI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CF7KVMI&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Madden</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> or maybe </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ARCWQOO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00ARCWQOO&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">MLB 2K13</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> To be fair,
they also are known to break out and play </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I098JE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002I098JE&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Call of Duty</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> or </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ELCV00/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002ELCV00&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">SOCOM</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> but these are
anti-gamers. They don’t want to hear me wax nostalgically about <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2011/12/legend-of-zelda.html" target="_blank">Legend of Zelda</a>, or the first time I beat Final Fantasy Adventure or what I’ve been up to
in <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/05/minecraft_17.html" target="_blank">Minecraft</a>. They eat, breathe, and sleep sports and play fantasy leagues in
the same way my friends play </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786956291/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0786956291&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Dungeons & Dragons</a> <span style="line-height: 200%;">but would never admit they
are living out similar fantasy lives. But to my surprise, the clan continued to
grow and more and more of these non-gamers were sucked into a world that
should’ve been foreign to them and even stranger was the fact they were
spending real money. And not just a ninety-nine cent download fee either, but
actual cash to not only catch up in the game but to take the lead in it. Daily
work conversations quickly changed from what was going on in the current sport
being played to strategies for resource farming or how badly they were attacked
and/or how much damage they managed to inflict on another player. Something was
amiss; I couldn’t believe my ears and eyes as more and more of my co-workers
were sucked into the game. One of the newer members of my shop dropped seventy
bucks in one sitting: this was madness. But still, I couldn’t believe that this
would last. Even as the clan number grew to twenty members, I couldn’t write
this off as anything more than a passing phase.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-du11Ml4Ps-A/Uc28x1sgAjI/AAAAAAAABS8/zdVv3CAEDt8/s960/My+Clan.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-du11Ml4Ps-A/Uc28x1sgAjI/AAAAAAAABS8/zdVv3CAEDt8/s400/My+Clan.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
And then after a particularly
interesting evening at the <a href="http://www.vermontsportsgrill.com/sites/courses/layout9.asp?id=869&page=48720" target="_blank">Vermont Sports Grill</a> where the conversation not once
deviated back to sports but remained on Clash of Clans all night with each
member of our party pulling out their respective iDevices in order to check on
resources or share troops, I knew that something was really up. These Supercell
guys are brilliant; they managed to take a simple game and rob a group of non-gamers
of their hard earned money with a free game by playing off of the most basic of
human emotions: jealousy and impatience. Jealous that your buddy has three
builders and you only have two? Spend some cash and poof, now you have three as
well. Jealous that you can’t have a level 7 town hall? Spend some cash on gems
and now you can have one, too. That level 7 town hall taking too long to
upgrade? Simple: spend some cash, get some gems and upgrade now, no muss, no
fuss. I can say it even caught me off guard that I got my wife to play the game
and even she spent money. Yes, I had to walk her through the tutorial, and I
thought that would be the end of it. But no, somehow she started playing, then
spent a little money and then, well, she spent a little more. Just like all the
other non-gamers, she was hooked and our Draw Something game fell away as she
started exclusively playing Clash of Clans, and yes as I prefaced she has
Dragon’s now and I do not.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BsYvhBpDP9w/Uc28BilHObI/AAAAAAAABSw/cR2N8CaRF44/s843/dragon-level-4-clash-of-clans-843x370.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BsYvhBpDP9w/Uc28BilHObI/AAAAAAAABSw/cR2N8CaRF44/s400/dragon-level-4-clash-of-clans-843x370.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Then the deployment happened. I was
sure that would be the end of the game, but it wasn’t. Thanks to the Wi-Fi
provided overseas, the members of my clan that were deployed were still able to
play, upgrade and suck even more people into the madness. I thought that
playing it overseas would bring an end to the game; I mean how much Clash of
Clans can anyone really play? I guess the answer to that is a lot because it’s
still going strong and hell, while writing this I’ve donated troops at least
four times and checked on my resources. I still have an eight-hour shield, but
maybe as Jaclyn edits this for grammatical errors I’ll say the heck with the shield
and go out and attack for resources because those Dragons aren’t going to buy
themselves. That’s right, as of now I haven’t given in and spent any money yet,
and boy have I been tempted now more than ever. My jealous side wants Dragons because
Jaclyn has them and even more than Dragons I want the Barbarian King that Mini
has. That Barbarian King looks so cool, and imagine the battles I could win
with that. But thankfully Brandon never broke down and spent money and thanks
to the sting of losing the bet, neither can I. So for now I have to sign off,
I’ve got battles to win and another 670,000 elixir to raise because to answer
my own question: just how bad do I want Dragons? Pretty darn bad!<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-23961540541536003772013-05-19T05:56:00.002-07:002013-06-29T13:59:42.948-07:00Mutant League Football<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1177</o:Words>
<o:Characters>6714</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ill-Co. Productions</o:Company>
<o:Lines>55</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>15</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>7876</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mu0wOS8hlPk/UZjHChkO3sI/AAAAAAAABRM/kh32xwzdlW4/s1600/mutant-league-football-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mu0wOS8hlPk/UZjHChkO3sI/AAAAAAAABRM/kh32xwzdlW4/s400/mutant-league-football-cover.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">Last year I remembered my best
friend by sitting down and conquering a game from our youth that we never had a
chance to beat together; Mega Man II. This year I had plans of continuing that
same tradition with the second annual Mega Man II Marathon, but as I previously
mentioned in last years <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/04/mega-man-ii.html" target="_blank">Mega Blog</a>, life is what happens when you’re busy making
plans. My two cohorts from last year’s marathon were scattered across the
United States. Joe is keeping America’s skies safe as a member of the Vermont
Air National Guard Alert Detachment, and Covino is touring the country in support
of his amazing documentary </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CPTUMSO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CPTUMSO&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">A Band Called Death</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> (If you haven’t seen it yet, you
should and chances are it’s coming to a theater near you!). So that left me to
sit down solo and take on the behemoth that is Mega Man II. The only problem
with that is I don’t exactly have the free time that I used to (notice the
blogs have been a little light lately - sorry about that). I have this tiny
dictator in my life now that I love to pieces but that doesn’t give me a lot of
time off. So with that in mind, I changed the game…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<a name='more'></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk2HkBOQiEk/UZjGQm3vNcI/AAAAAAAABRA/n3xiLpie1ik/s1600/Travis+&+Mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lk2HkBOQiEk/UZjGQm3vNcI/AAAAAAAABRA/n3xiLpie1ik/s400/Travis+&+Mark.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictured left to right Travis and Mark playing Mega Man II</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Mega Man II was a game that I will
always hold dear to that time in my life, and this year I can happily post the
picture of Mark and I playing that I couldn’t find for last years blog but it
wasn’t the only game we played religiously. Sure there was Super Mario 3, but
that could be a whole other blog in itself. There were also games on Nintendo’s
competitor that we played quite frequently like Rock N’ Roll Racing, Toejam and
Earl, and the game we’re going to talk about today, Mutant League Football.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztyNUpTr4N4/UZjHtO9DxQI/AAAAAAAABRY/85csQmJMB7c/s1600/mutant_league_football.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ztyNUpTr4N4/UZjHtO9DxQI/AAAAAAAABRY/85csQmJMB7c/s400/mutant_league_football.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Growing up, I was pretty scrawny
and much smaller than my two best friends Mark and John. My Mother, worrying
for my safety, never let me attempt to play football and of course since I couldn’t
play, it became the only sport I wanted to. I mean, the game is exciting and
dangerous: what kid wouldn’t want to play? Even the kid that was only like 60
pounds soaking wet at best. Mark and John were both football players and I… I
played soccer, which I understand in other countries is super manly but this is
America baby and nothing is as American as Football (don’t you dare say
baseball! Yeah I get it, America’s pastime, and as boring as watching paint
dry). No, I wanted to be a football player and since that wasn’t in the cards
for me, what was the next best thing? Videogame football, and I’m not talking
Tecmo Bowl or even John Madden Football. I’m talking about a game a non-football
playing horror movie loving kid could get into, I’m talking Mutant League
Football? After all what’s better then taking a violent sport and turning up
the violence by adding in mutants, skeletons, and aliens and having them murder
each other on the field? I mean, this is Genesis I’m talking about and Genesis
does what Nintendon’t. I was in love with Mutant League Football and with the
Genesis. There were only three buttons to learn and then you were off to the
races so it didn’t matter that I didn’t play football with John and Mark. As
long as I could learn the plays and the difference between running the ball and
passing I was alright. And like I said previously, this wasn’t just football,
you could turn up the violence and watch players explode on the field into
bloody 16-bit messes, you could bribe the Ref to call the game in your favor,
you could even murder the Ref! What twelve year-old wouldn’t love this game? I
know we live in different times now and we have to shelter our children from
being children and what not (BOGUS!) but not in the early nineties, at least
not yet anyway. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JSlWEh6dUy0/UZjIZnj4NfI/AAAAAAAABRg/uRwHXIRuTNs/s1600/ESRB_ratings.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JSlWEh6dUy0/UZjIZnj4NfI/AAAAAAAABRg/uRwHXIRuTNs/s400/ESRB_ratings.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">A couple years later the
<a href="http://www.esrb.org/index-js.jsp" target="_blank">ESRB</a> (Entertainment Software Ratings Board) would be created because of games
like </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZTHGCK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006ZTHGCK&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Mortal Kombat</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> and Night Trap and senators like Joe Lieberman and Herb Kohl
would start changing the way we would all buy our videogames. Do I agree with a
ratings board? I guess I can say I like the idea of any novice parent being
able to choose a game with their child based on some kind of system, but at the
same time just who is it that is making these rating choices? But I guess that
would be a whole other blog all together and not the point of what I’m
celebrating here at all. Mutant League Football was pre <a href="http://www.esrb.org/index-js.jsp" target="_blank">ESRB</a>, gloriously
violent and entertaining.</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%;">Honestly, it
still is today.</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%;">Yes, I wish it had an HD
counterpart in the same vein of the recently revamped </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZTHGCK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006ZTHGCK&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Mortal Kombat</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> with HD
blood and guts, but I can still enjoy the game in all its 16-bit gory glory. The
only problem being of course, I am without my player two. In fact, this is
another sad case of a nostalgia purchase that never quite worked out as
planned. I bought the Genesis and then snagged a copy of Mutant League Football
from <a href="http://www.ebay.com/" target="_blank">eBay</a> hoping to re-challenge Mark on one of his visits home, but it wasn’t
meant to be. We spent his visit chasing girls and heading off to Montreal and,
well, not playing games is all I really need to say about that. Unfortunately
we never got that chance to meet again on the intergalactic field. Luckily I
was able to convince Jaclyn to play me before I lost my temper and threw the
controller through the TV. I guess I can handle the pressure of a human
opponent, but taking on the computer is something else entirely. In the absence
of Covino or Joe, Jaclyn took the field and I bet she was especially happy I
didn’t yell at her or call her my brother’s name (yeah, that’s right Ryan, when
I lose my temper playing videogames I still yell at you. I know I have a
problem… I’m working on it). There’s no real spoiler alerts for this post, just
good clean killer football fun, a lot of Ref bribing, but unfortunately not a
lot of on-the-field death. I think I had the settings too low because no one
died on the field (another plus, you can control the level of carnage your team
experiences to include death). And lets face it, it’s just not the same unless
someone on the field is being crippled or maimed or I guess more accurately
exploding into a bunch of bloody pieces. Mutant League Football was a blast
twenty years ago and honestly it still is today, as long as you’re not playing
against that cheating computer. I mean, just how many times can I throw the
ball away anyway? I watched my screens and only threw the ball to open guys but
somehow they always grabbed interceptions; I mean, seriously? I can’t run the
ball without getting clobbered and I can’t pass the ball without throwing it away, so
yeah maybe I was just a little rusty. I’m also faced with a hard choice:
whether or not I’m going to sell my Sega Genesis for the upcoming move. I
already got rid of my </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KMRN0M/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001KMRN0M&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">PSP</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">, which I owned a copy </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HAR92U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000HAR92U&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">EA Replay</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> for and as cool as
the graphics update was it just isn’t the same game unless you’re playing
against another person. And now I’m thinking about getting rid of the Genesis
and I’m asking myself: should I keep my copy of Mutant League Football? I don’t
see a re-release anytime in the near future as much as that would be amazing. I
mean they did an update to </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0047OK31Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0047OK31Q&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">NBA Jam</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> not too long ago so it’s not out of the
realm of possibilities for a remake, but I just won’t hold my breath. I know
I’ll never be able to rematch Mark, but at the same time I like to have these
throwback </span><span style="line-height: 32px;">video game</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> playoffs in his honor once a year to celebrate his memory
and to grab a little chunk of the past so I think as long as my Genesis still
works I should hold onto it and then even if I only break it out once a year I
can do so in honor of all those weekends we stayed up way too late playing just
one match of Mutant League Football or fighting about whose turn it was in Mega
Man II. Because the fact remains I miss you man, and there will always be an
empty player 2 spot that you left behind. And even after I can destroy the
computer at Mutant League Football and take down any person that is foolish
enough to play me, I’ll still be wishing it was you I could take on. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rbk07bYldCw/UZjJn8jj1lI/AAAAAAAABRw/SEjstdVBWBs/s1600/mutant-league-football-dead-ref-blood.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rbk07bYldCw/UZjJn8jj1lI/AAAAAAAABRw/SEjstdVBWBs/s400/mutant-league-football-dead-ref-blood.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-13968074409743839222013-02-15T14:21:00.004-08:002013-02-15T15:04:24.260-08:00Batman (1989)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1115</o:Words>
<o:Characters>6358</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ill-Co. Productions</o:Company>
<o:Lines>52</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>14</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>7459</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6U52c27v8c/UR6i6fPLZqI/AAAAAAAABJc/44gRwvgURPM/s1600/Batman+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6U52c27v8c/UR6i6fPLZqI/AAAAAAAABJc/44gRwvgURPM/s400/Batman+2.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">“Tell me something, my friend. You
ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?” That’s right, I made it back
to <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursdays</a> at <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/index.php" target="_blank">Essex Cinemas</a> and the movie was the 1989 Tim Burton
classic <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a>! This was something to get excited over and also something to
beg my wife for a kitchen pass for (thanks sweetie). <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a> was a movie that
influenced my childhood and well, I guess with my <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/e9e4/" target="_blank">Batman apron</a>, <a href="http://www.spencersonline.com/product/bg-batman-caped-romper-0-3m/" target="_blank">baby batsuit</a>
and comic collection, it’s a film that still influences my life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XiGZxF0PlgE/UR6krxzIGpI/AAAAAAAABJk/x-u5HOvCWSs/s1600/IMG_2165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XiGZxF0PlgE/UR6krxzIGpI/AAAAAAAABJk/x-u5HOvCWSs/s400/IMG_2165.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Travis and Mini-Batman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">When often asked the question what
was the first movie I saw in the theater, I draw a blank - I’m really not sure.
I can honestly say one of the first movies I remember seeing in the theater was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a>, but I’m sure this couldn’t have been my first theater going experience,
could it? My other clear memory was seeing Disney’s The Little Mermaid, but
that was released after <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a>, so maybe <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a> was my very first movie?
Hopefully my parents will read this and be able to offer some guidance but for
now, maybe it was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a>. Anyway, I can remember seeing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a> in the theater
like I saw it yesterday (wait, I know what you’re saying, Travis you saw it
last Thursday, of course it feels like yesterday… But that’s not what I mean. Trust
me, stay with me). Why I remember it like it was yesterday is because my first
time seeing Batman was one of my first (if not my first) trips to <a href="http://www.sixflags.com/greatEscape/index.aspx" target="_blank">The GreatEscape in Lake George New York</a>. This was very exciting for the eight-year old
me, especially because this trip was with a friend and a trip without my
family. In other words, an adventure into something completely new. <a href="http://www.sixflags.com/greatEscape/index.aspx" target="_blank">Great Escape</a>
was awesome for a kid that had never seen a real amusement park before; I mean,
I grew up in Vermont - no real bustling metropolises so no real amusement parks
anywhere close. I’ve since lived close enough to Orlando to go to <a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/" target="_blank">Disney</a> once a
month, lived 45 minutes away from <a href="http://seaworldparks.com/buschgardens-williamsburg/" target="_blank">Busch Gardens</a>, and close enough to <a href="http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/" target="_blank">South ofthe Border</a> to never really feel clean again (best roadside amusement park
ever!) but all of those are different stories and this is the story of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a>.
Well, as great as my first trip to <a href="http://www.sixflags.com/greatEscape/index.aspx" target="_blank">The Great Escape</a> was, unfortunately I did
live in the north east and the weather here is “nice” less often as it either
is raining or snowing, so the inevitable happened; it rained (not the last time
I went to <a href="http://www.sixflags.com/greatEscape/index.aspx" target="_blank">The Great Escape</a> in the rain, right Ry? Also a different story). And
rain at an amusement park is, well, anything but. So in an effort to try and
pacify two very bored kids, my friend’s parents brought us to see <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a>. I
remember my eyes were glued to the screen from the opening sequence all the way
through to the credits. I had never seen anything like the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a> movie before;
it… was… amazing! Up until that point, my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a> exposure was limited to some
comic books and the Adam West TV show that would rerun on television, which was
also awesome in its own right and I hope will someday find its way to home
video or at least Netflix. But this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a> was different; he was darker and
wore a black costume that looked to be a little more dangerous than blue and
grey tights. The Joker was crazier; he killed people, people died! This wasn’t
the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a> that I knew at all and it blew me away. Not to mention, The
Batmobile got a complete facelift and was a sleek looking machine that I still
drool over today (I got to see it at Warner Bros Studio). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zH2jvoumxAg/UR6nd5a8VTI/AAAAAAAABKA/Crd5nINQZzo/s1600/DSC01942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zH2jvoumxAg/UR6nd5a8VTI/AAAAAAAABKA/Crd5nINQZzo/s400/DSC01942.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaclyn and Travis and the 1989 Batmobile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">This movie and its
sequel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman Returns</a> owned a good chunk of my childhood (we still have the
McDonald’s cups from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman Returns</a>). Christmas of 1989 was the Christmas of
Batman. I remember sitting in front of the JCPenny’s catalog and circling all
of the Batman stuff that I wanted and low and behold Santa (with some aid from
my parents) came through in a clutch. Underneath the Kehoe tree that year was
the Batmobile, the Batwing, the Batcycle, the Batcave and smartly two Batman
figures - one for me and one for my brother. But we also got Robin, Bob, The
Joker, and the rest of rouge gallery of villains (available at that time), The
Riddler, The Penguin, and Mr. Freeze. Needless to say, Ry and I played a lot of
Batman, literally until the wheels fell off (of the Batmobile anyway). I don’t
get a chance to say this enough in my blogs, usually I’m just complaining about
the fact I never watched R-rated movies as a kid, but let me say, in the Batman
department my parents rocked. And it was thanks to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman Returns</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DZ35TU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005DZ35TU&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Pee-wee's Big Adventure</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AGXEA6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001AGXEA6&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Beetlejuice</a> that I was introduced to one of my favorite
directors: Tim Burton.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I-bPPZ-i3ms/UR6oWtjjcQI/AAAAAAAABKI/iu7NVum9jzQ/s1600/Tim+Burton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I-bPPZ-i3ms/UR6oWtjjcQI/AAAAAAAABKI/iu7NVum9jzQ/s400/Tim+Burton.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">So yeah, I guess
I would say the original Batman movie holds a special place in my heart. So it
was really nice to take a night off (I did miss you X and can’t wait to show
you these films) and join my friends in the <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/trextheater.php" target="_blank">T-Rex Theater</a> to watch this classic
once again on the big screen. I think one of the biggest things that stood out
to me after this viewing is, man how much of a love story did they really need
to pack into this movie? Who cares about Vicki Vale? All we want to see is The
Joker terrorizing Gotham and Batman kicking butt, but now we are stuck
watching the clumsy romance between Vicki Vale and Batman. My other question is,
just how long has Batman been in Gotham? We know Knox has been reporting on him
long enough to draw the attention of Vicki Vale, but just how long has Bats
been Bats? The reason I ask is why the heck would Batman give up his secret
identity to some blonde floozy? And nice job bringing her into the cave,
Alfred! I thought it was your job to protect Batman’s secret, not give every one
of his one-night stands a free tour of the Batcave. So yeah, there were a
couple of things that stood out to the adult me compared to the kid me, like so
much Prince music! But I also know that Tim Burton wasn’t the household name he
is now and didn’t have the ability to stand up to Prince and say “Hey, I said
one song!” And now thanks to Christopher Nolan’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GZ6QEC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001GZ6QEC&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">The Dark Knight</a>, you have
people saying that Jack Nicholson’s Joker performance was nothing compared to
Heath Ledger’s. On this topic I say, well what about Mark Hamill’s performance?
Yeah, that’s right, I went there; another reason why the 89’ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a> rocks is it
helped bring <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00023E894/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00023E894&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">The Animated Series</a> to life and if you haven’t seen that then why are
you reading this, go out and get it now and watch every episode! But seriously,
why does this even have to be a debate? Nicholson, Ledger or Hamill? To me that’s like saying Miller, Loeb or
Moore? There has been hundreds if not thousands of versions of The Joker in
comics since he was first conceived. Sure it’s fun to debate about which one is
your personal favorite, but can’t we just agree that the actors portraying The
Joker did a great job of capturing an aspect of The Jokers personality?
Nicholson played The Joker more of the clown prince of crime while Ledger went
for more of the complete anarchistic side of The Joker. Both in my mind were
powerhouse performances and both wouldn’t work if switched into the other
movie. In other words, Ledger’s Joker would be way too dark for Burton’s world
and Nicholson’s Joker would be, well, a joke in Nolan’s. But both are amazing
in the worlds that they inhabit. So there, I’ve said my piece and I’m looking
forward to hearing what other Batman fans will have to say on the subject.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bTcSIf3-Lsw/UR6uTT9WEkI/AAAAAAAABKQ/WQ2IvGe4ayw/s1600/jokers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bTcSIf3-Lsw/UR6uTT9WEkI/AAAAAAAABKQ/WQ2IvGe4ayw/s400/jokers.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013N7AD8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013N7AD8&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Batman</a> couldn’t have been a better
way for me to find my way back to <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursdays</a> and I can’t wait to see
what movies the future holds. Until next time! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNGnE9qv6QU/TyMooMoqrSI/AAAAAAAAAfk/t3HHJ24gX6Q/s1600/throwbackthursdays800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNGnE9qv6QU/TyMooMoqrSI/AAAAAAAAAfk/t3HHJ24gX6Q/s400/throwbackthursdays800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-54497857561969622622012-12-08T10:33:00.000-08:002012-12-08T19:38:02.931-08:00Bacon Christmas/Maple Bacon Cheesecake <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>796</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4540</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ill-Co. Productions</o:Company>
<o:Lines>37</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>10</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>5326</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K37GkmExtVE/UMOCE1huSOI/AAAAAAAABIc/4ApZ8Ml56b0/s1600/378732_10150467801386998_1836137893_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K37GkmExtVE/UMOCE1huSOI/AAAAAAAABIc/4ApZ8Ml56b0/s400/378732_10150467801386998_1836137893_n.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The patron saint of Bacon Christmas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">So last year we were invited to
participate in a new holiday celebrated by my brother and sister-in-law called
Bacon Christmas. Yes, I’m saying that there is something bacon that I didn’t
create, I only got to bore witness to, but I was very thankful that I did. From
the Bacon bearded, eye-patched, Bob Dole Whiskey offering to the two pounds of
bacon-covered turkey, to the Corned-beef stuffing, it was a holiday celebration
of excess and awesomeness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sED8Wmj9298/UMOCaM8z4OI/AAAAAAAABIk/h78t-e8oGwU/s1600/IMG_1993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sED8Wmj9298/UMOCaM8z4OI/AAAAAAAABIk/h78t-e8oGwU/s400/IMG_1993.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maple Bacon Cheesecake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">Bacon Christmas was all about food
(bacon), strong drink, friendship and </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003RS8HG6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003RS8HG6&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Rock Band</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">; lots and lots of wig wearing,
heavily caped </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003RS8HG6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003RS8HG6&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Rock Band</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">. But at its core this new holiday was an excuse for
friends to get together and celebrate the holiday season, something that is
lost on the more commercial holidays (no Bacon Christmas <a href="http://www.hallmark.com/" target="_blank">Hallmark</a> Cards yet to
my knowledge). As I said, last year Jaclyn and I attended our very first Bacon
Christmas celebration and we brought some offerings to lift up to the bacon
gods both made and purchased. Our contributions were <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/chocolate-topped-peanut-butter-bacon-bars/520d8922-782b-4e1b-8c44-da6e0b173117" target="_blank">Chocolate Topped Peanut Butter Bacon Bars</a>
and <a href="http://bacontoday.com/maple-bacon-cupcake-recipe-2/" target="_blank">Maple Bacon Cupcakes</a> (made) and several items from <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/" target="_blank">ThinkGeek</a> like </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005RD7AYY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005RD7AYY&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Bacon Frosting</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">, <a href="http://www.jdfoods.net/products/bacongravy.php" target="_blank">Bacon Gravy</a>, and <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/c87a/" target="_blank">Bacon Mayonnaise</a>. Everything went over well and I
was happy with both the day and the chance to bake some crazy creations. But
Bacon Christmas 2011 happened quickly and then was gone, leaving me to count
down the days until the next Bacon Christmas, and a whole year to plan a
festive bacon dish. Well, 2012 turned out to be a pretty big year for me, a lot
bigger than originally planned. Some of it you can read about on <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>, some of
it was left unwritten. Why unwritten you ask? Simple. Something, or more like a someone,
entered my life this year and his coming changed everything. I’m referring to
my son Xavier, who was conceived back in February (that’s right we went to <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/04/pax-east-2012.html" target="_blank">PAXEast </a>pregnant) and was born Thursday the 22</span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 200%;">nd</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> a Thanksgiving
miracle! My original bet was he was going to be born on Bacon Christmas,
traditionally celebrated the Friday after Thanksgiving and if this was <a href="http://www.priceisright.com/" target="_blank">ThePrice is Right</a> I think I was the closest bidder without going over. My little
turkey meant some plans were shifted. Jaclyn and I were a little busy (happily)
on Bacon Christmas 2012 so the shadow of ol’ Bob Dole didn’t grace us with his
presence. Maybe it was because we didn’t have time to leave him out a whiskey
shot? Either way, Bacon Christmas 2012 came and went and I never had time to
make this year’s creation: a Maple Bacon Cheesecake. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lUw4arJQ-Zs/UMODXQJxYmI/AAAAAAAABIs/L5Js31tj0nE/s1600/74241_10200289364425070_405642224_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lUw4arJQ-Zs/UMODXQJxYmI/AAAAAAAABIs/L5Js31tj0nE/s400/74241_10200289364425070_405642224_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xavier my little Thanksgiving Turkey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">Now X, if you’re reading
this, first I’m impressed because you’re only a baby and second, wait, before
we get to that, how are you on a computer and were is your mom or I? Probably
finally passed out, huh? Anyway, back to second, Daddy’s not mad he missed
Bacon Christmas, he was very happy to spend the day with you and looks forward
to baking with you in the future, that’s not what this post is about. This post
is about that Maple Bacon Cheesecake. You see X, you did finally take a little
bit of a nap (sort of) which gave Dad time to make a delicious cheesecake that
even though it wasn’t to celebrate Bacon Christmas it still came out great. And
now I’m going to stop being so long winded and tell the nice people reading
this just how I made it, ok?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
Maple Bacon Cheese Cake<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ingredients<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crust*:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 tablespoons light brown sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 stick melted salted butter<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Filling:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/4 cup of heavy cream<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/2 cup Maple Syrup<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 1/2 cups sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 teaspoon vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Topping:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 Pound of Bacon<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/2 cup Brown Sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/2 cup Maple Syrup<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Directions<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For crust:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In medium bowl, combine crumbs, sugar and cinnamon. Add
melted butter. Press down flat into a 9-inch spring form pan. Set aside.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For filling:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add maple syrup, eggs, egg
yolk, heavy cream, and sugar. Add flour and vanilla. Beat together until well
combined.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pour into crust. Spread out evenly and place in oven for 1
hour. Remove from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap
and refrigerate for 4 hours.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For topping: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can either prepare the bacon at the same time as the
cheesecake and refrigerate it or wait until just before you serve the
cheesecake. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Preheat Oven to 400 degree F.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lay bacon in a cookie sheet or baking pan lined with
aluminum foil, unless using a stone pan, then you can skip the foil. Leave a
small gap between each slice of bacon to prevent the bacon from sticking to
each other. Coat each strip of bacon with about two teaspoons of brown sugar or
until your liking. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once every strip is dusted with brown sugar drizzle maple
syrup on the bacon strips.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once bacon is coated with brown sugar and maple syrup place
baking pan in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes depending on your oven. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the bacon is fully cooked remove from the oven and let
cool on wire racks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once bacon is cooled it will have a semi-hard candy shell to
it that will let you know your bacon is ready.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now take those strips of bacon and either chop them into
bite size pieces or put them through a food processor and you’ll be ready to
add them to the top of your cheesecake.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Place the bacon on top of the cheesecake and use the
remaining maple syrup to garnish. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n52znRERj4w/UMODyVw973I/AAAAAAAABI0/c--bESRdBRQ/s1600/IMG_1995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n52znRERj4w/UMODyVw973I/AAAAAAAABI0/c--bESRdBRQ/s400/IMG_1995.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*This crust recipe was taken from Paula Deen</div>
<!--EndFragment-->CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-8962520396945509162012-08-08T14:17:00.001-07:002012-08-08T14:17:56.645-07:00Friday the 13th Marathon Part II<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aFnQLcLVgqo/UCKqyo5YeaI/AAAAAAAABEM/gTrjduHrM8Q/s1600/Friday+the+13th+part+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aFnQLcLVgqo/UCKqyo5YeaI/AAAAAAAABEM/gTrjduHrM8Q/s400/Friday+the+13th+part+2.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
So, after trying to take on way too
much with the January <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> marathon and having to skip
the April <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> due to work, that left us with only one
more chance to get our act together and do it right. The mission: to watch all
eleven <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> movies in one sitting and, if given time,
even watch the truly evil 2009 remake.
But the truth is, as long as we made it to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026KWT10/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026KWT10&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> (yeah right) we’d make it farther than the last Friday.
Did we do it? I guess you’ll have to keep on reading to find out...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ycj9Lg9DhfQ/UCKrNatmnVI/AAAAAAAABEU/eHJsItFefpg/s1600/Mrs.+Voorhees+Head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ycj9Lg9DhfQ/UCKrNatmnVI/AAAAAAAABEU/eHJsItFefpg/s400/Mrs.+Voorhees+Head.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">After the January letdown, I had to
reevaluate the situation. I mean, we failed our mission so hard, it couldn’t
even really be considered a marathon. And since then, we had also failed at </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004634VFM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004634VFM" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">My Bloody Valentine</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> Day, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PHX5SC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000PHX5SC&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">April Fool's Day</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> and the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AC6PMG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004AC6PMG&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Leprechaun</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> Saint Patrick’s Day
marathon; a pattern was starting to develop.</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">
</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">How did this keep happening? Simple: too much other stuff going on.
Every time we decided to have a marathon we had too many other plans as well (did
anyone really think the Saint Patrick’s Day marathon was going to work?). But
not this time, the July </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> was our last chance to have
a real </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> marathon and we weren’t going to miss it. I
mean, a year with three </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">’s - how could we? But unlike
in January, this time there would be no </span><a href="http://www.epicmealtime.com/" target="_blank">Epic Meal Time</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> breakfast, no candy
sushi snacks, and not just because that stuff will kill you. No, because this
time our party would be catered by Costco (with the exception of cupcakes) and
meals would be all pre-made and ready to go. We still managed to get quite a
spread, but no cooking on Friday meant nothing but movie watching magic. Jaclyn
and I did make some cupcakes for the marathon, though. Nothing crazy or really
even Jason-themed, just some <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/11/08/red-velvet-cupcakes-cream-cheese-frosting/" target="_blank">Red Velvet Cupcakes</a> that are a Covino favorite and
well, I really wanted to try out the recipe (just because I couldn’t cook on
the day didn’t mean I couldn’t bake the night before, right?). So with the
Costco smorgasbord and cupcakes in place, Jaclyn and I sat down and started the
first movie…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> (1980)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DadmY9I3_l4/UBhrO79GK4I/AAAAAAAABCc/RV9NLGjN7WQ/s1600/Friday-the-13th-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DadmY9I3_l4/UBhrO79GK4I/AAAAAAAABCc/RV9NLGjN7WQ/s400/Friday-the-13th-poster.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
What can I really say about this
classic? Besides the fact that this was the movie that started it all, it set
up the folklore that kept us coming back for ten more films. In 1957, Jason
drowns in Crystal Lake and a year later the first two kids are murdered (we see
them die before the opening credits). How this movie differs from everyone that
follows is we never see the killer until the very end.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
***SPOILER ALERT***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
In case you’ve never taken the time
to watch the original <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> or didn’t see <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057YUV6C/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0057YUV6C&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Scream</a> (you remember the
opening sequence with Drew Barrymore being questioned by Ghost Face?), you
might not know that Jason is not the killer in this movie. In fact, he doesn’t
even make an appearance until the very end of the film when he jumps out of the
lake to grab a very surprised Alice Hardy around the neck and attempts to drag
her to the bottom with him. No, the cool thing about the original movie is you
never get to see the killer until everyone but Alice has met their grizzly fate.
Only then does the killer reveal herself to be Pamela Voorhees, the former camp
cook (and friend of the Christy’s), but most importantly the mother of the
drowned boy Jason. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ulc8x75wh3U/UCKyeQd2-rI/AAAAAAAABFA/qL_26JtEB38/s1600/Mrs.+Voorhees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ulc8x75wh3U/UCKyeQd2-rI/AAAAAAAABFA/qL_26JtEB38/s400/Mrs.+Voorhees.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I guess what really makes the first
movie stand out is it seems like a movie that you and a couple of friends could
go out and make, and maybe that’s why it first captured my imagination. It’s a
simple story, but executed really well and it only seems to drag in the final
confrontation between Alice and Mrs. Voorhees; for some reason this scene just
really drags for me. Maybe it’s because everyone else dies so quickly? I’m not
sure, but after watching this film over and over again, I find myself wanting
to fast-forward just a little bit to get to the climax. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ2klXc0BkY/UCKxTGmlekI/AAAAAAAABE4/tk2m42CveGs/s1600/Lake+Jason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ2klXc0BkY/UCKxTGmlekI/AAAAAAAABE4/tk2m42CveGs/s400/Lake+Jason.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026KWT06/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026KWT06&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Friday the 13th Part II</a> (1981)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-amy6Z1Mv1VM/UCLC0afGT7I/AAAAAAAABFg/8LzRM11OP4A/s1600/Sackhead+Jason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-amy6Z1Mv1VM/UCLC0afGT7I/AAAAAAAABFg/8LzRM11OP4A/s400/Sackhead+Jason.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
The sequel of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026KWT06/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026KWT06&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> starts off with Alice, the sole survivor of the last movie, home alone. I
realized watching it this time it doesn’t really establish how much time has
gone by or whether or not Alice returned home to California or was still in New
Jersey (that’s where Crystal Lake is, right?). What it does establish though is
that Jason didn’t drowned in the lake; he grew up in the woods as some kind of
out of control psychopath, a frightened retard, or a child trapped in a man's
body. First off, what??? Okay, it’s definitely cool having Alice find Pamela
Voorhees’ severed head in the refrigerator before being murdered, but didn’t
they establish in the first movie that Jason drowned? Isn’t that why Mrs.
Voorhees started murdering the camp counselors in the first place? Because they
weren’t watching her son and he died in the lake? I mean, okay, the part of the
first movie where the boy jumps out of the lake and grabs ahold of Alice could’ve
been just a dream like the cops state in the movie, but Jason doesn’t drowned?
So does that mean Mrs. Voorhees was just crazy or that Jason just wanted to
raise himself in the forest? It hurts my head to think about, so I just won’t.
After Alice is killed, we find ourselves back at Camp Crystal Lake this time,
not at Camp Blood but at a training camp for camp counselors. And guess what? They’re about to die, only
this time you kind of get rewarded for drinking because the random characters
we never really meet that go to the bar live and the ones that stay behind
don’t. Only this time, they’re not killed by Mrs. Voorhees, they’re killed by
the potato sack (pillowcase) wearing Jason. That’s right, this is the zombie
Jason of the later sequels, the elephant man/mountain man variety Jason. You
know, the frightened retard version (I can say that because it’s a direct quote
from the film easily offended guy). This
movie follows the same road as the last one as Jason picks the counselors off
one by one until finally only Ginny (this movies Alice) is left (okay, Paul
could’ve lived too - wasn’t quite sure about that one). When Ginny faces down
Jason in Ted Kaczynski’s summer home, she quickly puts on the blood sweater
that Mrs. Voorhees was wearing when she died and convinces Jason she’s really
his mother (frightened retard). Not the craziest thing to happen in one of
these movies, but still WTF.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gXcMND93Zws/UCLDIpnXojI/AAAAAAAABFo/NpG-RwLCSRQ/s1600/Jason+F13+part+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gXcMND93Zws/UCLDIpnXojI/AAAAAAAABFo/NpG-RwLCSRQ/s400/Jason+F13+part+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026KWT0G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026KWT0G&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Friday the 13th Part III (3-D)</a> (1982)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A5zBj6T8cCQ/UCLDjUkiF6I/AAAAAAAABFw/L2K_eszZk_E/s1600/Friday+the+13th+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A5zBj6T8cCQ/UCLDjUkiF6I/AAAAAAAABFw/L2K_eszZk_E/s400/Friday+the+13th+III.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">The best part about </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026KWT0G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026KWT0G&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Friday the 13th Part III </a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> is that it’s in 3D! Okay, just kidding. The best part about the third
installment of the series is Jason gets his hockey mask. Unfortunately, at this
point Jason is still, well, a mountain man and not quite the Jason of legend.
This is a fact that actually ties into the story because the movies protagonist
Chris (it can be a girls name) was attacked two years before by a disfigured
hillbilly (it saddens me this was Jason’s beginning). Shelly (it can be a boys
name?) is this movies practical joker (part one had Ned, part two had Ted) and
he has a dark sense of humor, using masks and fake blood to scare his friends
or, more accurately, to hide his own self-loathing. But it’s because of Shelly
that Jason finally dawns his infamous goalie mask. That is probably the saving
grace of this film. Well, that and the spear gun scene; that was just harsh. The
movie is okay, but guess the reason why is it was heavily edited - to keep it
from getting an “X” rating (before NC-17). It would be cool if we got to see
the movie the way it was originally intended and I doubt the gore would heavily
offend today’s audiences, but I’m sure the footage has been long lost. But
fingers crossed, we could someday get a real gory Real 3D version of </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026KWT0G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026KWT0G&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Friday the 13th Part III</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">. One more thing that makes this movie interesting is
the ending, which is a call back to the first film. After hitting Jason in the
head with an axe, Chris gets in a canoe and falls asleep floating out to the
middle of the lake. When she wakes up, she sees Jason is still very much alive
and staring at her from the house. She begins to panic as Jason runs out of the
house to attack her, but before he can Mrs. Voorhees jumps out of the lake and
grabs ahold of Chris, a nice little homage to the first film. I never knew that
this was supposed to be the end of the series, but I guess it was and if it had
been the ending would’ve worked perfectly with Chris then waking up from her
nightmare and the body of Jason still lying in the barn. However, this wasn’t
the last film: in fact, far from it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zbfSeEQPmRc/UCKv-Q48QkI/AAAAAAAABEw/f433G8uyYhk/s1600/Friday_13_3D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zbfSeEQPmRc/UCKv-Q48QkI/AAAAAAAABEw/f433G8uyYhk/s400/Friday_13_3D.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Left to Right Mark Covino, Jennifer Covino, <br />Jaclyn Kehoe, Travis Kehoe & Diva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026KWT10/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026KWT10&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> (1984)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7aCaO87ccL4/UCLEcpF8JTI/AAAAAAAABF4/PCgBbbtLV_Q/s1600/friday4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7aCaO87ccL4/UCLEcpF8JTI/AAAAAAAABF4/PCgBbbtLV_Q/s400/friday4.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
So, by all rights, since this
sequel takes place directly after the last movie, this one would have to really
be Saturday the 14th right? I mean, maybe a year passed between the
first movie and the second, but this time it was definitely the very next day.
Some highlights of this film are, well, the Aerobicise video that Axel is
watching in the morgue. I still don’t really understand how this is exercise… but
I like it. This movie is also memorable because of the one and only Crispin
Hellion Glover and his spas-tastic dance. Knowing that it was his own choreography
that he made up originally to AC/DC’s Back in Black somehow still doesn’t make
it any less silly, but can anyone really forget it? Who else graces us with
their presence in this film? Oh yeah, a very young Corey Feldman who turns out
to be this chapter’s hero. I mean, you can argue that his sister Trish kills
Jason with the machete to the head, or even gravity kills Jason when his head
slides down the blade, but it’s Tommy Jarvis (Feldman) who shaves his head to
look like Jason and then proceeds to hack Jason’s head with the Machete over
and over again. This movie, like its predecessor, was meant to be the final
film of the series. Jason was supposed to die under Tommy’s blade, but we all
know that just wasn’t the case. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/YkyyO2bOPu4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026KWT1A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026KWT1A&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> (1985)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eZDO64ZV-mg/UCLFp6G7C2I/AAAAAAAABGA/nlCoYnI12bY/s1600/friday5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eZDO64ZV-mg/UCLFp6G7C2I/AAAAAAAABGA/nlCoYnI12bY/s400/friday5.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
A Jason movie without Jason; that’s
crazy talk, right? Well we all know it worked for the first movie so why
wouldn’t it work for the fifth one? I mean, it’s not really a Jason movie
without Jason, but you still have a hockey mask wearing murderer killing kids;
his name just happens to not be Jason Voorhees. Tommy Jarvis (no longer played
by Corey Feldman) arrives at the Pinehurst Halfway House; it seems he spent the
years that followed his murder of Jason Voorhees moving from institution to
institution with the ghost of Jason haunting him. As fate would have it, as soon as Tommy moves
into the halfway house a kind of annoying patient named Joey is brutally
murdered by one of the other patients there, Vic. Because of Joey’s murder, the
whole ball starts rolling. We don’t find out until the movie ends that Joey’s
father, one of the paramedics that responds to Joey’s murder, is the killer
dressed like Jason. There are some clues, though, if you’re paying attention:
Jason’s hockey mask has red triangles, the fake Jason’s mask has blue lines,
that kind of stuff. But I guess the bigger question would be, why would Roy
Burns (fake Jason) choose to dress like Jason? Jason had been dead and buried
for years and it seems like only Tommy who couldn’t let it go. I don’t know,
maybe I’m just trying to read too much into the series, but it’s a strange
choice. The highlights of this film would have to be Reggie the reckless, one
of my favorite characters of the series, although I do love the scene between
Robin and Reggie’s brother Demon when they’re singing to each other from either
side of a port-o-potty wall. The biggest highlight of the film and I’m sure
Covino would kill me if I didn’t mention it would be Debi Sue Voorhees’s role
as Tina. If you don’t know what I mean, Google it and you will. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nitk8E-CQuQ/UCLGrsnjXlI/AAAAAAAABGI/9-FbEWZ1LGo/s1600/Tommy+Jarvis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nitk8E-CQuQ/UCLGrsnjXlI/AAAAAAAABGI/9-FbEWZ1LGo/s400/Tommy+Jarvis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026KWT1K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026KWT1K" target="_blank">Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives!</a> (1986)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CoZMODHLsjc/UCLHUHUZxLI/AAAAAAAABGQ/TZe9yiTXiZE/s1600/Friday+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CoZMODHLsjc/UCLHUHUZxLI/AAAAAAAABGQ/TZe9yiTXiZE/s400/Friday+6.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Jason Lives! is the one movie I
didn’t have when I was back in high school and therefore the movie out of the
series I’ve seen the least. It has one of the coolest looking Jason’s sans mask
and finally lays the Jason story straight because he is now officially
supernatural. Up until this point, Jason was a crazed hillbilly who never drowned
and was seeking revenge for the murder of his mother. Now that is no longer
true; Jason did drown (like the first movie says) but has always been a super
natural force… Okay, wait… How did he go from a boy to a man? Actually, I don’t
care because now we have a kickass zombie Jason who was brought back to life by
Tommy Jarvis stabbing him with a metal fence post that is struck by lightening.
That’s right, Jason rises from the grave like Frankenstein to wreak havoc once
again on the campers of Crystal Lake. But what makes this movie cool is for the
first and only time there are actually kids at the summer camp. Jason doesn’t
kill any kids, but still there are kids at the camp - Bonus! The town of
Crystal Lake has changed its name to Forrest Green to try and distance itself
from the killings, but that doesn’t stop Jason from returning to kill anyone
who is dumb enough to go near his lake. Tommy Jarvis once again has to square
off against Jason. This time, Tommy sinks him to the bottom of Crystal Lake by chaining
a boulder to his neck. The bottom of Crystal Lake is where we’ll meet up with
Jason again for the next two films.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGCg_tPmvcs/UCLHqceVPwI/AAAAAAAABGY/GRUhdYl_IvY/s1600/Jason+under+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGCg_tPmvcs/UCLHqceVPwI/AAAAAAAABGY/GRUhdYl_IvY/s400/Jason+under+lake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DMJLTY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002DMJLTY&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood</a> (1988)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Veq8H4UO6w/UCLIO1rbDII/AAAAAAAABGg/drKlVbG8718/s1600/New+Blood+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Veq8H4UO6w/UCLIO1rbDII/AAAAAAAABGg/drKlVbG8718/s400/New+Blood+poster.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Rumor has it that this installment
is where Freddy Kruger and Jason Voorhees were first supposed to meet up, but
Paramount and New Line Cinema couldn’t work out a deal and the movie fell
through. Enter the psychic! Tina Sheppard first found out she had powers when
her Dad was beating her mom and she destroyed a dock her father was standing on,
sending him to the bottom of Crystal Lake. Ten years later, Tina is back at the
lake house, supposedly receiving treatment from Dr. Crews to help her cope with
the guilt of killing her father. Secretly, or not so secretly, (his plans seem
pretty transparent) Dr. Crews really just wants to study Tina’s abilities.
After a tough session with Dr. Crews, Tina runs to the lake and tries to use
her powers to resurrect her drowned father, but instead resurrects Crystal
Lakes most infamous baddy, Jason Voorhees. Jason tends to his business as usual,
pretty much ignoring the weird psychic girl until their final confrontation,
which is a little laughable. I know this will sound weird, but I can take a
hockey mask-wearing machete wielding zombie but not a physic girl; she belongs
in a Stephen King novel, not a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> movie. And in one of
the weirder twists of fate, Jason is defeated not by Tina but by her dead
father who drags Jason back to the bottom of the lake… Yeah, that’s right,
Jason is no longer the only ghost in the lake; beware Mr. Sheppard! The highlight
of this film was Kane Hodder playing Jason for the first time, and also the
infamous sleeping bag kill. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zB-C7M3K7Jg/UCLIjzHWSwI/AAAAAAAABGo/lmNEuXbO2iA/s1600/Sleeping+Bag+Kill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zB-C7M3K7Jg/UCLIjzHWSwI/AAAAAAAABGo/lmNEuXbO2iA/s400/Sleeping+Bag+Kill.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DMJLVC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002DMJLVC&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan</a> (1989)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5zbxUDQ-PzQ/UCLIq1nX3_I/AAAAAAAABGw/I8PVzoZU90Y/s1600/jason+takes+manhattan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5zbxUDQ-PzQ/UCLIq1nX3_I/AAAAAAAABGw/I8PVzoZU90Y/s400/jason+takes+manhattan.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
When a movie has Manhattan in the
title, you figure it would take place in Manhattan, right? Well, in the case of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DMJLVC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002DMJLVC&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Jason Takes Manhattan</a> you’d be wrong. This movie is more Jason Takes a Cruise and,
well, isn’t that bad. Jason is once again resurrected from the bottom of
Crystal Lake, this time by an anchor hitting an underwater power line. Jason
then boards the boat and gets his hands on a hockey mask. Why was there a
hockey mask on board? Oh, because the dude on the boat, Jim, was using it to
scare his girlfriend Suzie. Isn’t this a little odd? I mean, after the amount
of murders that had taken place on Crystal Lake, wouldn’t it be in poor taste
to do this? I don’t know, call me sensitive, but what about the families of the
victims? Oh wait, never mind, this was in ’89 - PC wasn’t a thing yet. Let’s
continue. So Jason is back and this time he’s going to terrorize the graduating
class of Lakeview High complete with Rennie Wickham, this film’s heroine. What
makes Rennie special? Well, years before when her uncle Charles was trying to
teach her how to swim (or drown her), she was attacked by the boy Jason and the
memory has haunted her ever sense. That’s right, boy Jason is back and Rennie
is going to have visions of him throughout the movie. But wait, I thought the
psychic girl was in the last movie? Don’t worry, she was; this girl just has
visions, not telekinesis. What’s weird is each time she sees a Jason vision,
he’s in a different form of hideousness. At first he looks like a normal boy,
but by the end he’s the deformed child we all know and love. I’m not sure what
this movie really adds to the series besides that it’s the final Paramount <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> movie, which is kind of sad and really the last true <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> because after this film New Line Cinema takes the
story in a whole new direction. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4U8MnrkM7PI/UCLJVx8UGII/AAAAAAAABG4/bX761VqiPoQ/s1600/Friday-the-13th-part-VIII-Jason-Takes-Manhattan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4U8MnrkM7PI/UCLJVx8UGII/AAAAAAAABG4/bX761VqiPoQ/s400/Friday-the-13th-part-VIII-Jason-Takes-Manhattan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006FDBT/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00006FDBT" target="_blank">Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday</a> (1993)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjplH5Ggzk0/UCLLvRljVjI/AAAAAAAABHA/cslIEERQugI/s1600/jason+goes+to+hell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjplH5Ggzk0/UCLLvRljVjI/AAAAAAAABHA/cslIEERQugI/s400/jason+goes+to+hell.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
This movie scared and scarred me
when I was younger. There is something about a large black man eating a heart
that just stays with you. This movie is so different compared to the other
eight it’s hard to believe it’s even a Jason movie. Maybe it’s because New Line
Cinema took over, maybe it’s because for the first time ever Jason changes
bodies by turning into a demon worm. Maybe it’s because out of nowhere he has a
sister. Really? That’s strange; they never mentioned that before. This is also
the first Jason movie to feature fake breasts; something that really bummed out
Covino when he found out his childhood was a lie. Fun Fact: John D. LeMay, one
of this films protagonists, also was one of the three main characters on the
Friday the 13th television series. This movie also contains my
favorite kill of any of the movies. Yeah, that’s right, the metal sign post
through the girl in the tent while she is having sex; it doesn’t get any more
Friday the 13th than that. This
movie is also known for its ending which depicts Jason’s mask being dragged
down to hell by Freddy’s glove, although Jason and Freddy never appeared
together on the screen for another 10 years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sTJZ7KRX5iI/UCLMKkJQCoI/AAAAAAAABHI/StM0WzZnapY/s1600/Freddy+Jason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sTJZ7KRX5iI/UCLMKkJQCoI/AAAAAAAABHI/StM0WzZnapY/s400/Freddy+Jason.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006FI0R/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00006FI0R" target="_blank">Jason X</a> (2001)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3qbdWhNbdhc/UCLM5KscX2I/AAAAAAAABHQ/MAly-X8omEs/s1600/jasonx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3qbdWhNbdhc/UCLM5KscX2I/AAAAAAAABHQ/MAly-X8omEs/s400/jasonx.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006FI0R/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00006FI0R" target="_blank">Jason X</a> is where I stopped taking
notes and started drinking. What can I say about this film? Well, it does have
some cool death scenes, including a new sleeping bag kill (a callback to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DMJLTY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002DMJLTY&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Part VII</a>), and unfortunately it’s Kane Hodders last movie as Jason. Besides that,
it’s in space; doesn’t that say it all? If you run out of ideas, bring your
character to space. They did with Pinhead in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TJWDJY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004TJWDJY&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Hellraiser IV: Bloodline</a> and the
Leprechaun in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AC6PMG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004AC6PMG&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Leprechaun 4: In Space</a>, so why not Jason, right? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjT-uzXurPI/UCLNZdCupZI/AAAAAAAABHY/Z6zcSrUFvbk/s1600/Jason+X+Holographic+campers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjT-uzXurPI/UCLNZdCupZI/AAAAAAAABHY/Z6zcSrUFvbk/s400/Jason+X+Holographic+campers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029O0BJU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0029O0BJU" target="_blank">Freddy vs. Jason</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> (2003) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ygU5g2I-rt8/UCLN3tdK8VI/AAAAAAAABHg/iY3eq8m8JfA/s1600/freddy+vs+jason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ygU5g2I-rt8/UCLN3tdK8VI/AAAAAAAABHg/iY3eq8m8JfA/s400/freddy+vs+jason.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
The marathon ended with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029O0BJU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0029O0BJU" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Freddy vs. Jason</a>, a movie that I really love. I think it’s a great Jason movie and a great
Freddy movie. They do both franchises justice and in some ways make the Jason
legacy cooler than it deserves to be. My one and only problem with the movie is
Kelly f’ing Rowland. Why, for the love
of God and all that is holy, why? Okay, I guess I have more complaints than
that, like Kane Hodder not reprising the role of Jason. I wanted to see the
Jason that I knew fight the Freddy that I knew. And what’s with the character
Shack? Why does he act like Jack Black and why does Bill act like he’s Jason
Mewes? It’s just strange…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PZKMFrRmhsg/UCLOhI8P7LI/AAAAAAAABHo/uMKpXR_Jjp8/s1600/Freddy-vs.-Jason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PZKMFrRmhsg/UCLOhI8P7LI/AAAAAAAABHo/uMKpXR_Jjp8/s400/Freddy-vs.-Jason.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
***SPOILERS END***</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
After all of that, I can now say I made it through the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> Marathon. I know, I know, but what about the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026UZHS2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026UZHS2&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">remake</a>? The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026UZHS2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026UZHS2&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">remake</a> wasn’t part of
the original series and therefore doesn’t count and honestly, I tried to also
watch the remake, but I fell asleep. I don’t know if watching all of the movies
gave me a better or deeper appreciation for the series, but I can say that I
did it. Well, we did it. Special shout out to <a href="https://twitter.com/JaclynMKehoe" target="_blank">Jaclyn</a> and Jenn and <a href="https://twitter.com/markcovino" target="_blank">Mark Covino</a>
for attempting this craziness with me and to Nate for showing up at just the
right time with beer to help us make it through. Until next time… </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sh1uOorMcGQ/UCLOn2kQKUI/AAAAAAAABHw/2qVXGLpP9Lw/s1600/600full-jason-x-artwork.jpg.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sh1uOorMcGQ/UCLOn2kQKUI/AAAAAAAABHw/2qVXGLpP9Lw/s400/600full-jason-x-artwork.jpg.gif" width="400" /></a></div>CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-12105931697585088242012-07-31T17:33:00.001-07:002012-07-31T17:47:53.340-07:00Friday the 13th Marathon<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DadmY9I3_l4/UBhrO79GK4I/AAAAAAAABCc/RV9NLGjN7WQ/s1600/Friday-the-13th-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DadmY9I3_l4/UBhrO79GK4I/AAAAAAAABCc/RV9NLGjN7WQ/s400/Friday-the-13th-poster.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">A </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> marathon is
something I’ve wanted to do since back when I walked the hallowed halls of
South Burlington High School. Times were different back then; for one, DVD’s
were out but hadn’t defeated the giant that was VHS (that’s right kids, we used
to have movies on videocassette tape long before wirelessly streaming your
media was even a day dream) and the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> series ended with </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006FDBT/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00006FDBT" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Jason Goes to Hell</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">, the first non-paramount </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> movie. There was no </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006FI0R/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00006FI0R" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Jason X</a> <span style="line-height: 200%;">or </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029O0BJU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0029O0BJU" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Freddy vs. Jason</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> (although the ending of </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006FDBT/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00006FDBT" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Jason Goes to Hell</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> did promise
this epic battle). Back then I used to fall asleep every night watching one of
my many horror VHS movies, usually waking back up when the tape reached the
very end and auto rewound to the beginning (imagine that, having to rewind a movie?).
I always had a soft spot for the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%;">series (and no, I’m
not talking about the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00168OILM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00168OILM" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">television show</a> - that would be a different blog). </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 200%;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="line-height: 200%;">I’m
not sure why these movies stood out amongst the legion of other horror icons. Maybe
it was because I was attracted to the hockey mask Jason sported starting with </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026KWT0G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026KWT0G" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th Part 3</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> or the fact they sprinkled nudity through most of the
series (this could’ve been the sticky point though; face it, I was in high
school) but these movies always fascinated me. I mean simple premise, right?
Don’t camp, try to set up a camp or generally go anywhere near Crystal Lake or
Jason is going to get you. Don’t have pre-marital sex, don’t drink or use
recreational drugs, and don’t ever mutter the infamous words… “I’ll be right
back,” because we know that will never happen.</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">
</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">These movies aren’t Oscar winners by far, but there is something about
them that just makes them special and stand out against the schlock they try to
pass off as horror these days. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EWBKLC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000EWBKLC" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Saw</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> franchise and as far as horror goes that’s the closest they’ve come to the
horror series of the 80’s (and early 90’s). I mean, we had Jason and Freddy,
Leatherface and Chucky, Pinhead, Pumpkinhead, Michael Myers, Gremlins,
Critters, and Ghoulies, not to mention Phantasm and Poltergeist (a movie series
that still frightens me to this day). </span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 200%;">Now
we have a void where the horror movie franchises used to exist and Hollywood is
desperately trying to fill that void by rehashing, recycling and repackaging
what worked in the past, but with a modern spin. Sometimes these remakes really
work. For example, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FAOC2W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FAOC2W" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">The Hills Have Eyes</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004634VFM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004634VFM" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">My Bloody Valentine</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">, and </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ZG98L4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002ZG98L4" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Piranha</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">. Sometimes,
though, they just fall flat like </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029O0BMC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0029O0BMC" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">The Texas Chainsaw Massacre</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ZG9724/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002ZG9724" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">A Nightmare on Elm Street</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> and of course </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026UZHS2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026UZHS2" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">. I could spend a whole blog talking about
why some of the remakes worked and why they didn’t and maybe I will in the
future but for now, let’s stay on topic and discuss what we came to talk about:
the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> marathon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aDyFHrNiyEI/UBh3eLMubhI/AAAAAAAABC4/f4oiJ9ei170/s1600/Happy+Campers.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aDyFHrNiyEI/UBh3eLMubhI/AAAAAAAABC4/f4oiJ9ei170/s400/Happy+Campers.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">Like I previously said, I’ve been a
fan of the movies for a while now and used to use them as a sleeping aid back
in high school. But even though I watched </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> movies every night, I
don’t think I ever thought about watching them all in a row. In fact, for a
long time this wasn’t even possible because I couldn’t find a copy of </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026KWT1K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026KWT1K" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> (ah, life before </span><a href="http://amazon.com/" style="line-height: 200%;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">) and didn’t track one
down for quite some time, but even after my VHS collection was complete I never
dreamt of watching them all in a row.
Fast-forward to 2006 and </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LPR9ZS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000LPR9ZS" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Saw III</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> was about to come out in the theater. I
decided to re-watch </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EWBKLC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000EWBKLC" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">part I</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> and </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H5TVKS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000H5TVKS" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">II</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> before I saw the latest… Er… Saw (saying I
just saw </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EWBKLC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000EWBKLC" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Saw</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> has always been awkward right?). This kicked off a tradition that
lasted through </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004FEFZU2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004FEFZU2" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Saw 3D: The Final Chapter</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">; every year a new </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EWBKLC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000EWBKLC" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Saw</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> movie would come
out and every year I’d sit down and watch them all sequentially and catch the
latest one in the theater. As the franchise grew so did my commitment to watch
all the films, having to start the marathon earlier and earlier, but every year
I continued to enjoy the process and would even tweet my progress as I made it
through each film. This was the first franchise I ever managed to watch in one
sitting (that’s right, I’ve never managed to make it through the holy trinity
in one shot) but as of 2010 the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EWBKLC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000EWBKLC" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Saw</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> movies ended and so did my yearly movie
marathons. Without a new horror franchise in sight (please don’t say </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VKE0XA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002VKE0XA" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Paranormal Activity</a><span style="line-height: 200%;">) it was time to start looking back to the horror movies of my youth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SAc8MbgLNoQ/UBh30yxKjmI/AAAAAAAABDA/hkn5atESaCM/s1600/Bacon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SAc8MbgLNoQ/UBh30yxKjmI/AAAAAAAABDA/hkn5atESaCM/s400/Bacon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Enter 2012, the year of not one,
not two but three separate <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a>’s (one in January, April and July).
The stars had finally properly aligned for a marathon that had been decades in
the making. And what better way to kick off the New Year then with a horror
movie marathon to escape the harsh January weather (actually one of the mildest
Vermont winters). So the plan was hatched: we’d host the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> Marathon and invite some of the gang to join us. But like most plans I make,
they continue to grow and take on a life of their own. Joe and I hadn’t hung
out in a while and when we do we started a tradition of our own; splitting a
bottle of <a href="http://www.rogue.com/spirits/dead-guy-whiskey.php/" target="_blank">Dead Guy Whiskey</a> from Rogue Brewery. But it wasn’t just the <a href="http://www.rogue.com/spirits/dead-guy-whiskey.php/" target="_blank">Dead Guy Whiskey</a> bottle that I had been sitting on; I also had a bottle of John John Dead Guy
Ale I was waiting to try (Dead Guy Ale Aged in <a href="http://www.rogue.com/spirits/dead-guy-whiskey.php/" target="_blank">Dead Guy Whiskey</a> barrels) and
what better day to drink Dead Guy anything then a day celebrating Jason
Voorhees, the dead guy that just won’t stay dead. The guys and I had also
decided we’d kick off the day by making a breakfast, but not just any breakfast
- an Epic meal, or more accurately an <a href="http://www.epicmealtime.com/" target="_blank">Epic Meal Time</a> meal (that’s right, we’re
getting <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZDv9pgHp8Q" target="_blank">drunk off pancakes</a>). For those of you who don’t know, <a href="http://www.epicmealtime.com/" target="_blank">Epic Meal Time</a> is
a crazy Canadian online cooking show where they prepare meals so sugary, so artery
clogging and delicious that Wilfred Brimley might show up at your door just for
watching it. But what does <a href="http://www.epicmealtime.com/" target="_blank">Epic Meal Time</a> have to do with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a>?
Simple. As I mentioned, <a href="http://www.epicmealtime.com/" target="_blank">Epic Meal Time</a> was created and hosted by those crazy
hosers up nord and what else did they create? Hockey (okay, I don’t know if
they invented it, but they perfected it) and who wears a hockey mask? That’s
right, Jason Voorhees. See, it all ties in together, right?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LxdZrdSmGQw/UBh4XYluAgI/AAAAAAAABDI/qseEEv6DrM4/s1600/bacon+Waffle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LxdZrdSmGQw/UBh4XYluAgI/AAAAAAAABDI/qseEEv6DrM4/s400/bacon+Waffle.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">So the plan was to make an Epic
breakfast and then sit down and watch all of the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> movies back to back without stopping… That was the plan, and a great one it was,
but that’s not quite how things went. I think the train derailed as soon as the
beer waffles started. Beer waffles? Yeah, that’s right, we were making the next
level sh*t. I didn’t have a recipe for the beer waffles so I visited my
favorite place to score new ones </span><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/beer-batter-waffles/" style="line-height: 200%;">allrecipes.com</a><span style="line-height: 200%;"> (I’ve tried several recipes
from this site with great results) and found this one:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beer Waffles Recipe <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 cups self-rising flour<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle
beer<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/4 cup milk<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 eggs, separated<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 tablespoon honey<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 teaspoon vanilla extract <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Directions:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Preheat a waffle iron according
to manufacturer's instructions. Combine flour, beer, butter, milk, egg yolks,
honey, and vanilla in a large bowl; stir until the mixture is smooth. In a
separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold egg whites
into batter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spray preheated waffle iron with
non-stick cooking spray. Ladle the batter into waffle iron. Cook the waffles
until golden and crisp. Serve immediately. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWKiNDKFH-8/UBh4lHyPo3I/AAAAAAAABDQ/rq-5EMum4fg/s1600/Death+Waffle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWKiNDKFH-8/UBh4lHyPo3I/AAAAAAAABDQ/rq-5EMum4fg/s400/Death+Waffle.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Now, we followed this recipe but
also added the <a href="http://www.epicmealtime.com/" target="_blank">Epic Meal Time</a> twist of adding bacon to the waffles (what can’t
you add bacon to?) and instead of chocolate chips we added Reese’s Peanut
Butter Cups because that’s smart. For the beer I followed advice my mother gave
me when cooking with wine, never cook with anything you wouldn’t drink. I’m a
big fan of sour beers (beers with naturally occurring Brettanomyces yeast) and
have even turned some of my non-drinking friends on to them. My favorite of
these varieties is anything brewed with cherries or Kriek beers, and that is
what we used in our waffles and I have to say it was an excellent choice. It
made the waffles really light and fluffy (I know hard to believe with all the
other stuff we put in them right?) and left just a slight hint of cherry
behind. Although I will say the way we made waffles was fantastic, if you’re a
little squeamish or, say, care more about your body, then I would recommend
trying just the lambic beer waffles sans bacon and Reese’s Peanut Buttercups;
you will not be disappointed. To top off our waffles, we needed a syrup capable
of handling both the sweet and the savory… But more importantly it just needed
to have alcohol, so borrowing another page from the book of <a href="http://www.epicmealtime.com/" target="_blank">Epic Meal Time</a> we
made our own Jack Daniel’s syrup using Vermont Pure Maple syrup and Gentleman
Jack (because after all, we’re gentlemen). The first time I made Jack Daniel’s
syrup I was making it for Jaclyn and I so I used more like two parts maple
syrup per one part Jack, but I was cooking for the boys and this time it was
more like one to one. I would say mix your syrup to taste but be aware that if
you make it one to one you will get drunk off your breakfast and this is where
we went wrong. Our personal breakfast of booze was supposed to be the kick off
to the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> marathon, but instead it took over the
morning and most of the afternoon and between the waffles and the John John
Dead Guy Ale and <a href="http://www.rogue.com/spirits/dead-guy-whiskey.php/" target="_blank">Dead Guy Whiskey</a> (oh did you forget about those guys?) I was
feeling pretty great before we ever sat down to watch the first movie. Actually,
we didn’t even stop with breakfast. We also needed to make some snacks for the
movie and we had decided that besides the breakfast of booze we were also
making <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvUku7zAXVE" target="_blank">candy sushi</a>. Candy sushi I can honestly describe as your dentists worst
nightmare because just biting into a piece causes your teeth to hurt from all
the sugar, but if you want to make it here’s how:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oH_PBoPJ46k/UBh4yUEbC7I/AAAAAAAABDY/_e5x7qpegi0/s1600/Making+Sushi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oH_PBoPJ46k/UBh4yUEbC7I/AAAAAAAABDY/_e5x7qpegi0/s400/Making+Sushi.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Candy Bacon Recipe</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
½ cup Brown Sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 pound of Bacon<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Directions:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Preheat oven to 350 degrees <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cover a baking sheet with parchment or foil and arrange the
bacon in a single layer on top. Remember to leave space between the slices so
they won’t stick together. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sprinkle brown sugar liberally over the bacon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Place your baking sheet in the oven for 10 minutes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After 10 minutes remove the baking sheet from the oven and
flip over each bacon slice using tongs or a fork. Optionally you can add more
brown sugar at this step.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Place your baking sheet back in the oven for 10 more minutes.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
(with Candy Bacon)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 tablespoons butter or margarine<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6 cups Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Directions:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In large saucepan melt butter
over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from
heat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Add Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal.
Stir until well coated.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crumble Candy Bacon and stir into
mix.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Using buttered spatula or wax
paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Candy Sushi Recipe <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 boxes of Fruit Roll-ups<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Various candy (for filling)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pre-made Rice Krispies Treats<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Directions:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unwrap six Fruit Roll-ups and lie
flat connecting each Roll-up side by side until you have a large square piece.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roll the Rice Krispies Treats
into the Fruit Roll-up square until your reach your desired thickness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Place pieces of candy on one edge
on the Rice Krispies Treats in straight line from one corner to the other.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roll the Rice Krispies
Treat/Fruit Roll-up over the candy until you from a tight roll.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a serrated knife cut the
Candy Sushi roll into bite size pieces.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BOH6pFrg6s/UBh4-Ssl0jI/AAAAAAAABDg/mYBwKWI7FS4/s1600/Sushi+Up+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3BOH6pFrg6s/UBh4-Ssl0jI/AAAAAAAABDg/mYBwKWI7FS4/s400/Sushi+Up+close.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
But what does all of that have to
do with watching <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> movies? Nothing, and that’s sort of
the point. We got so wrapped up in cooking and drinking that we slacked on the
marathon. By the time we started the first movie it was late in the afternoon,
almost evening really, and by the third movie the marathon was history. Mark
and Jaclyn were the only survivors - everyone else was asleep hidden behind
their 3D glasses. So with an Epic Meal comes an epic price, the sacrifice of
the movie marathon that brought everyone together in the first place. So it’s
with a heavy head that I report the January <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> Marathon
was a bust… Luckily, as fate would have it, this wasn’t the only <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK" style="line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> on the calendar year and we’d have another chance to redeem ourselves and give
the marathon a second try.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PminzRpEhyo/UBh5Ge4ujMI/AAAAAAAABDo/GQKWOxVJf-Y/s1600/Mark+Sushi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PminzRpEhyo/UBh5Ge4ujMI/AAAAAAAABDo/GQKWOxVJf-Y/s400/Mark+Sushi.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;">To be continued… </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-25115203958173678682012-07-11T14:32:00.000-07:002012-07-11T14:32:05.800-07:0048 HRS.<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQ6ge_yOj88/T_3pjB1_lSI/AAAAAAAABBU/znvW4YAzLos/s1600/forty_eight_hrs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQ6ge_yOj88/T_3pjB1_lSI/AAAAAAAABBU/znvW4YAzLos/s400/forty_eight_hrs.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Is it strange to watch a movie
because your last name happens to be the name of a character in it? That's what
made my friends Mark and Jenn sit me down and finally watch the 1982 Walter
Hill classic <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DMJL9E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002DMJL9E&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">48 Hrs.</a> If you've read any of my previous blogs, then you know
when I was growing up I wasn't allowed to watch R rated movies so that's how
Eddie Murphy's debut slipped past my radar, and honestly I never was a huge
Murphy fan until my wife introduced me to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005JMHL/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00005JMHL&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Raw</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KG4BTU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000KG4BTU&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Delirious</a>. I mean sure, I'd seen
1988's Coming to America a million times as a kid and loved it (at a friend's
house of course), but out of Murphy's catalog I had only really seen movies like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006TTC568/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006TTC568&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">The Nutty Professor</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004K00NIK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004K00NIK&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Dr. Dolittle</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0783237367/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0783237367&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Life</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000035Z3C/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000035Z3C&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Bowfinger</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005JM4W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00005JM4W&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Daddy Day Care</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PC6G92/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000PC6G92&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Norbit</a> and of course <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0046A9RMC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0046A9RMC&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Shrek</a>. So I'll admit, it was my own fault for judging
Murphy's early work based solely on his later career movies (never did see <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00003CXWS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00003CXWS&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">The Adventures of Pluto Nash</a>) but <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DMJL9E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002DMJL9E&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">48 Hrs.</a> had a bigger problem for me: Nick Nolte.
I don't know what it is about Nolte - maybe it's his garbled drawl, you know
how he sort of sounds similar to Jeff Bridges portrayal of Rooster Cogburn in
the 2010 version of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UESJMO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003UESJMO&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">True Grit</a>? Or the fact he seems like his "acting"
always verges on being eerily similar to his 2002 real life experiences, or
maybe it's just me, I dunno. Either way, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DMJL9E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002DMJL9E&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">48 Hrs.</a> wasn't really high on my
priority list to see. But then Mark and Jenn began to chant "Kehoe"
at me, not something I'm unfamiliar with due to the fact I've been in the
military for eleven years now (I'm quite used to be known by my last name) but
a personal pet peeve of mine is not getting the joke and I couldn't get the
reference because I'd never seen the movie. It was time to rectify this and
since <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursdays</a> are on a temporary hiatus for the summer (can't wait
until they're back) we decided to finally do something we've all talked about
for a while now: start a movie night.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7RwA7wBmSRQ/T_3rf5e9cwI/AAAAAAAABBc/9Y82cLJK93c/s1600/Nolte+and+Murphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7RwA7wBmSRQ/T_3rf5e9cwI/AAAAAAAABBc/9Y82cLJK93c/s400/Nolte+and+Murphy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We've tried this before on several
different incarnations, most of them involving holidays and horror movies, and
unfortunately for Jenn most of them ended in the movies not being seen because
of too many people and too much drinking. But <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DMJL9E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002DMJL9E&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">48 Hrs.</a> was different; it was
just going to be the four of us (Jenn and Mark plus Jaclyn and Myself) and this
time the movie was going to be the focus. No crazy meals (in the past we made
some <a href="http://www.epicmealtime.com/" target="_blank">Epic Meal Time</a> craziness) and no booze (not really a tall order with Jaclyn
carrying our first child), just the movie and some pizza. And much to my
surprise, keeping it simple (just like my teachers used to say) made the night
go off without a hitch. I even got to catch up on some <a href="http://www.southparkstudios.com/" target="_blank">South Park</a> before and
after the movie, but that's a different story and this is about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DMJL9E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002DMJL9E&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">48 Hrs.</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6F1H7YdefM/T_3rpWeCErI/AAAAAAAABBk/lOsvy_I2hZ8/s1600/Kehoe+-+48+Hrs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6F1H7YdefM/T_3rpWeCErI/AAAAAAAABBk/lOsvy_I2hZ8/s400/Kehoe+-+48+Hrs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
I liked the movie more than I had
anticipated and not just because of Brion James’ portrayal of my namesake. I
liked the fact that it was a hard R action movie and not that surprising coming
from the guy that brought us <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OONQ9O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000OONQ9O&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">The Warriors</a>, which has to be my favorite movie he
directed (Can you dig it?) And it was a nice change of pace to see a cop/criminal
team up that didn't seem fake or forced. In the beginning it was more than
obvious that Jack Cates and Reggie Hammond didn't even speak the same language
let alone inhabit the same world. Without giving too much away (incase like me
you grew up under a rock) Cates needs Hammond to help him track down an escaped
convict, Albert Ganz, who currently has possession of Cates' gun. It turns out
that Hammond used to be in a gang with Ganz and now Hammond and Cates have a
similar enemy. The real joy of the movie is watching the relationship between
Cates and Hammond turn from adversarial to one of almost mutual respect. I say
almost because after all at the end of the day Cates was an alcoholic
(pattern?) no nonsense cop and Hammond was a hustler. I guess the thing that
really threw me off was this was more of a straight action movie than an action
comedy. When I heard Eddie Murphy was in it, I think I automatically assumed it
was going to be more slapsticky, but really Murphy only gives his patented
guffaw twice in the whole movie, and even though he gives some comedic relief he
plays his role pretty straight. I can't say I'll be adding <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DMJL9E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002DMJL9E&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">48 Hrs.</a> to my must
buy list anytime soon, but I'm glad that I got to see it and even with my
initial reservations about Nolte (I still think he sounds like Rooster Cogburn)
I did enjoy it. But more than anything else, I now will know why Mark and Jenn
are giggling whenever they yell "Kehoe." Until next time...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Q0qa9RBXo8/T_3rvsijv4I/AAAAAAAABBs/xefoZtitiy0/s1600/Nick+Nolte+Mugshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Q0qa9RBXo8/T_3rvsijv4I/AAAAAAAABBs/xefoZtitiy0/s400/Nick+Nolte+Mugshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
After Thoughts: Our next movie
night is actually a movie marathon this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> where we will reattempt
watching as many of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001K9OXDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001K9OXDK&linkCode=as2&tag=hisdeluofgran-20" target="_blank">Friday the 13th</a> movies as we can. Follow along on
<a href="https://twitter.com/TravisJKehoe" target="_blank">Twitter</a> to keep up to date with what movie we are currently on and stay tuned
for the follow up blog. </div>CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-41624785898631957212012-06-25T19:15:00.001-07:002014-03-22T19:42:02.630-07:00Back from the depths<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>254</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1454</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ill-Co. Productions</o:Company>
<o:Lines>12</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1705</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Hey everybody! It's been way too
long, right? (Has it really already been a month?) And I must apologize for my
absence; life has been moving pretty fast (and not to sound too much like
Ferris Bueller) and I have been missing it, or at least a small part of it, and
that part of it was screenwriting (my first love). For the past four weeks,
I’ve been enrolled in an online Beginning Writing for Television class and
spending my waking moments working on the various projects that were required
of me. I’ve also been working weird shifts at work and went through a week-long
inspection. These are not excuses, though I’ll admit I’ve been slacking on my
blogging, and honestly I’ve been slacking on my activities, too. I’ve missed
way too many Throwback Thursdays now and I’m still no further in my quest to
beat all The Legend of Zelda games. But fear not, my days of slacking have
ended (or at least my four week course has) and I will be returning to you, my
beloved readers. But before I do, I must update you on the latest, greatest and
newest feature of the blog…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
See, originally I began my journey
with this blog as a solo venture, but the more I wrote the more my friends
joined me in my various adventures, from watching classic movies to helping me
conquer classic videogames and even joining me on the road for different
events. And most of these friends have their own adventures and some of them
like me even wanted to write about it but just needed a forum. This is one of
those friends and this is one of those forums. Fasten your seat belt because
you’re about to enter…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://thesammydangerzone.blogspot.com/">THE DANGER ZONE!</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I’ll let Sammy tell the rest of the
story…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
-TJK<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-25621645198064467942012-05-18T23:30:00.004-07:002012-05-19T06:44:50.065-07:00Caddyshack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lh89eO9DOnc/T7Z4sT6zXpI/AAAAAAAAA-s/nFGqViwpk7s/s1600/Caddyshack.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lh89eO9DOnc/T7Z4sT6zXpI/AAAAAAAAA-s/nFGqViwpk7s/s400/Caddyshack.jpeg" width="273" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;">“So we finish the eighteenth and he's gonna stiff me. And I say, "Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know." And he says, "Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness." So I got that goin' for me, which is nice.” I don’t know if Bill Murray’s crazy character Carl Spackler ever achieved total consciousness in the hilarious 1980 cult classic </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q7ZOAI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Q7ZOAI" target="_blank">Caddyshack</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;">, but I know I almost lost mine from laughing so hard. I have to say that after the most recent <a href="http://essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> screening, I would be hard pressed to choose my favorite comedian of the film. Every time Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield or Bill Murray are on the screen, they kill it. At points it’s even hard to catch your breath from laughing so hard at the one-liners. I’m very thankful I was able to catch this cinema gem (a big shout out to my supervisor that made it possible) and didn’t have to miss out on the madness. And, oh yeah, I mean more than just the movie itself.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohv_oHeavEY/T7c4iViH5HI/AAAAAAAAA_U/yaqCWAc_kV0/s1600/Murray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohv_oHeavEY/T7c4iViH5HI/AAAAAAAAA_U/yaqCWAc_kV0/s400/Murray.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Honestly, this <a href="http://essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> had a lot going on (yes, I mean besides an amazing movie). That is, a lot going
on if you like free stuff, and you know I do. Chris Villani & Rich Haskell
of 101.3 ESPN Radio’s <a href="http://www.1013espn.com/pages/8910738.php" target="_blank">The Chris & Rich Show</a> were on hand in the lobby
giving away free green time to <a href="http://www.linksatlangfarm.com/" target="_blank">Links at Lang Farm</a> and all you had to do to
enter was make a putt to get a raffle ticket. The good news was even if you
missed the putt you still walked away with a free bag of candy, so everyone was
a winner. And yes, if you’re curious, I was a winner of a bag of candy; my
putting skills are getting a little rusty, but Jaclyn promises me this will be
the year we actually go to the Family Fun & Entertainment Center and play
some rounds of mini golf. My buddy Sam didn’t have any problem sinking his putt
(and on his first try) but ultimately wasn’t a raffle winner (but once again,
with free candy we were all winners). And the opportunity to win free stuff
didn’t end there because closet comedian and theater owner Dale Chapman was on
hand to offer up more than just pre-movie entertainment. I’ve mentioned the <a href="http://essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> raffle in previous blogs (Jenn was a big winner at <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/03/breakfast-club.html" target="_blank">The Breakfast Club</a> screening) but I don’t remember seeing prizes as sweet as the
ones offered at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q7ZOAI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Q7ZOAI" target="_blank">Caddyshack</a></span>. Not only did Dale reveal the next three <a href="http://essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> movies (the first one is already up on the <a href="http://essexcinemas.com/index.php" target="_blank">Essex Cinema</a> page), he
offered up <a href="http://essexcinemas.com/theatrerealextreme.php" target="_blank">T-Rex</a> passes that would get you into multiple <a href="http://essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursdays</a>,
something that I had yet to see and an amazing opportunity. Unfortunately I was
not one of the lucky winners (I actually did win when I saw </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00164GDD2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00164GDD2" target="_blank">Ghostbusters</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> but
man; I still can’t believe those prizes. With the raffles over, it was time to
sit back, relax and enjoy the show.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HbisK1o62Hc/T7c3oYaieCI/AAAAAAAAA_E/CwhvQsYvWSc/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HbisK1o62Hc/T7c3oYaieCI/AAAAAAAAA_E/CwhvQsYvWSc/s400/IMG_0002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dale Chapman warms up the crowd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Usually I wax nostalgic when I
write about </span><a href="http://essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> movies and talk about how I was first introduced
to them, give examples of how they affected my life, or how they really became
a driving influence on me. But I realized while sitting in the theater I
couldn’t for the life of me remember when I first saw </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q7ZOAI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Q7ZOAI" target="_blank">Caddyshack</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">; it seems like
a film that has always been part of my pop culture lexicon. Growing up, my
parent’s really didn’t allow R rated movies in my house, so I doubt this one
would’ve slipped by their radar and it doesn’t seem like the type of movie that
I would’ve chosen to watch at one of my friends house’s where the R rated movies
were king. Judging a book (in this case a movie) by its cover (in this case a
case) I don’t think I would’ve chosen this one. I mean, it’s a golf movie; I
wasn’t into golf and I’m not sure even though the cover features Rodney
Dangerfield, Chevy Chase and Bill Murray, I would’ve been smart enough to look
past the title and choose it. I’ll admit I joined the military without ever
seeing </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005PHTSTC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005PHTSTC" target="_blank">Stripes</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> so some of these comedy classics just missed me, but not </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q7ZOAI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Q7ZOAI" target="_blank">Caddyshack</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">. I know almost the whole movie by heart; how the heck is that
possible and I don’t even remember seeing it for the first time? This one is a
head scratcher, but my confusion didn’t keep me from enjoying my first </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q7ZOAI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Q7ZOAI" target="_blank">Caddyshack</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> viewing on the big screen. I’ve mentioned it before, but there is
something just magical about watching these movies in the theater. Yes, haters,
I could watch the Blu-ray at home or maybe even catch </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q7ZOAI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Q7ZOAI" target="_blank">Caddyshack</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> on TV. But it’s not the same experience as seeing it
splashed across a sixty-foot screen in a theater full of laughter that threatens
to drown out the state of the art surround sound with the smell of freshly
popped popcorn wafting through the air. Movies were designed to be seen this
way and thanks to the efforts of Dale and the </span><a href="http://essexcinemas.com/index.php" target="_blank">Essex Cinema</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> crew I can now check
another one off my bucket list. In fact, if you haven’t taken the opportunity
to thank Dale yet, please do. He’s the driving force behind </span><a href="http://essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursdays</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> and without his love of classic movies we wouldn’t have the opportunity to
check out our favorites from the past in the awesome </span><a href="http://essexcinemas.com/theatrerealextreme.php" target="_blank">T-Rex</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> Theater.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1eHNKK_cML4/T7ejxFZIfvI/AAAAAAAAA_o/787NYicJFoI/s1600/Let's+dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1eHNKK_cML4/T7ejxFZIfvI/AAAAAAAAA_o/787NYicJFoI/s400/Let's+dance.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Plot-wise, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q7ZOAI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Q7ZOAI" target="_blank">Caddyshack</a></span> might be all
over the place. I mean, at the core, what is the story really about? Is it
about Danny Noonan’s quest to get into college? Is it about the rivalry between
Al Czervik and Judge Smails? Or Carl Spackler’s mission to destroy the Gopher?
And where does Ty Webb fit into all of it? Is he the Ben Kenobi to Danny’s Luke
Skywalker? More like a series of vignettes than a conclusive storyline, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q7ZOAI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Q7ZOAI" target="_blank">Caddyshack</a></span> has lasted the test of time not because of plot but because each set
piece is just so damn funny. Who can forget the Bishop having the best game of
his life in the pouring rain only to miss his last shot and get struck by
lighting after cursing God? And Rodney Dangerfield is hilarious - I can’t think
of a single scene he’s in where he doesn’t say something memorable: “Oh, this
is the worst-looking hat I ever saw. What, when you buy a hat like this I bet
you get a free bowl of soup, huh?” “Oh it looks good on you though.” I can say I had the pleasure of having an old
drunk guy say these same lines to me, but not about a hat - about one of my
favorite Hawaiian shirts. I think it probably caught the guy off guard when I retorted
back, “Hey, you want to make fourteen dollars the hard way?” Travis for the
win. I just can’t get over how funny each character is in their own way. As
over the top as Dangerfield is, Chevy Chase is almost the exact opposite with
his sly subtle style. Every time he says anything it’s sarcastic and funny and
his timing is amazing. Fun fact: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q7ZOAI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Q7ZOAI" target="_blank">Caddyshack</a></span> is the only time that Saturday
Night Live alums Bill Murray and Chevy Chase ever share a scene on the silver
screen. And let’s talk about Murray for a second; he’s crazy in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q7ZOAI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Q7ZOAI" target="_blank">Caddyshack</a></span>,
right? Never walks away from a big laugh, and has to be my second favorite use
of a Baby Ruth candy bar in a movie (first being <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/01/goonies.html" target="_blank">The Goonies</a>). What it lacks in
plot it definitely makes up for in comedy and I can’t think of a better way to
spend a Thursday night than watching these comedic powerhouses swing for the
fences. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dkJWj6jqv3s/T7c3JSYcGnI/AAAAAAAAA-8/7EeXMhqsRHE/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dkJWj6jqv3s/T7c3JSYcGnI/AAAAAAAAA-8/7EeXMhqsRHE/s400/IMG_0015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: Jenn, Chuck Rodent, Travis & Sam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Q7ZOAI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Q7ZOAI" target="_blank">Caddyshack</a></span> was another great pick
for </span><a href="http://essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursdays</a><span class="Apple-style-span">, but next time they’re going in a completely different
direction; from a classic comedy to a classic sci-fi/horror because in space no
one can hear you scream. That’s right,
the next </span><a href="http://essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> is 1979 haunted house set in space movie: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AQO3QA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001AQO3QA" target="_blank">Alien</a>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> To
this day I have never seen an </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AQO3QA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001AQO3QA" target="_blank">Alien</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> movie in the theater, to include </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K0YLLY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000K0YLLY" target="_blank">Alien vs. Predator</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00147F8Z0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00147F8Z0" target="_blank">Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">, so this is something I’m really looking forward to and Jaclyn has never
seen </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AQO3QA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001AQO3QA" target="_blank">Alien</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> so what better way to see it for the first time than in the </span><a href="http://essexcinemas.com/theatrerealextreme.php" target="_blank">T-Rex</a><span class="Apple-style-span">.
But for now I’m going to crank up the Kenny Loggins and gopher dance my way out
of here. “Hey everybody, we’re all gonna get laid!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VaSS2OmuFsM/Tr0yfcrtkxI/AAAAAAAAAV8/QnRU_v3Zm90/s1600/throwbackthursdays800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VaSS2OmuFsM/Tr0yfcrtkxI/AAAAAAAAAV8/QnRU_v3Zm90/s400/throwbackthursdays800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-41067850914193132562012-05-17T09:25:00.000-07:002012-05-17T09:46:51.688-07:00Minecraft<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEFpr-exOMs/T7SLr5ZPd4I/AAAAAAAAA-A/7LKiWJpUyTI/s1600/Minecraft+Xbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEFpr-exOMs/T7SLr5ZPd4I/AAAAAAAAA-A/7LKiWJpUyTI/s400/Minecraft+Xbox.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I should be sailing across the
<a href="http://www.zelda.com/universe/game/wind/" target="_blank">Great Sea</a> with my trusty talking ship (the King of Red Lions) but instead I
find myself very low on health and lost in the darkness of a densely overgrown
forest with nothing but the stars as my guide. “Why didn’t I bring a map?” I
ask myself as the sounds of an approaching horde reverberate from the trees. I
know my keep must be around here somewhere, but where? How did it get dark so
fast? Didn’t I just see the sun drop off the horizon? “Ry, can you hear me?” I
ask into my headset; his silence echoes in my ears, I am alone… So utterly
alone… Out of the darkness I hear the call of the zombie; he’s almost right on
top of me. I run quickly towards the direction I think should be home. Any
second now I should see a torchlight beaming off of the rising cobblestone
towers. Any second now I should be safe in bed. Suddenly, I hear a noise from
the darkness that makes the hair stand up on the back on my neck.
“Hissssssssssssssss.” Before I can react,
it’s too late. “Boom!” I don’t even have time to face the Creeper before I’m
killed and re-spawn empty-handed inside my keep.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PncxGkGbYjA/T7SNLFVmt5I/AAAAAAAAA-I/X4jqST-F37Q/s1600/minecraft_creeper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PncxGkGbYjA/T7SNLFVmt5I/AAAAAAAAA-I/X4jqST-F37Q/s400/minecraft_creeper.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That'sssss a very nice wooden sword you've got there.<br />
It'd be a (ssss)shame if anything were to happen to it...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
That’s right kiddies, yours truly
has fallen into the vice lovingly referred to as Minecrack. I don’t game on my
computer so <a href="http://www.minecraft.net/" target="_blank">Minecraft</a> kind of slipped right by me initially. I mean, I saw
various cool <a href="http://www.minecraft.net/" target="_blank">Minecraft</a> related items on Think Geek, but didn’t really know what
to make of all of it. It wasn’t until <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/minecraft-pocket-edition/id479516143?mt=8" target="_blank">Minecraft Pocket Edition</a> was released for the iOS that I first gave it a try. <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/minecraft-pocket-edition/id479516143?mt=8" target="_blank">The Pocket Edition</a> was pretty
neat; it allowed you to explore a fairly expansive open world filled with
water, mountains, trees, grass and sand and with unlimited blocks build
whatever you wanted or could imagine. It was kind of like a virtual Lego set
but as far as a time waster went, I wasn’t convinced. It was fun to build
towers and castles and mess around with the flow of the water, but I didn’t
really get the point of the game. At one point I actually asked my future
brother in-law what the deal with <a href="http://www.minecraft.net/" target="_blank">Minecraft</a> was and why was it so popular. He
chuckled to himself before he told me to just be patient, the version of <a href="http://www.minecraft.net/" target="_blank">Minecraft</a> that I was playing on my iPhone was just Mojang testing the water,
and soon survival mode would come and then I would understand what was so great
about <a href="http://www.minecraft.net/" target="_blank">Minecraft</a>. I kept building, waiting to see a new <a href="http://www.minecraft.net/" target="_blank">Minecraft</a> update pop up
in my App Store app. Finally, just when I was starting to lose hope, it
happened: there was a update and they added survival mode. I couldn’t
wait to download it (I did have to however because of a delay) and see what the
hype was all about. As soon as I opened the <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/minecraft-pocket-edition/id479516143?mt=8" target="_blank">Minecraft Pocket Edition</a> app I
noticed the difference; I now had an option of playing in creative mode or
survival mode, and it was time to give survival mode a test run. Everything
seemed pretty much the same except now I had weapons and more tools, nothing
too crazy, and then night fell and the zombies came. At first I was psyched. I
mean, whoa – zombies?!? This is pretty cool. But then they kept coming, and
coming, and quickly I realized that nighttime wasn’t the time to be outside
exploring. I casually told my buddy Joe about <a href="http://www.minecraft.net/" target="_blank">Minecraft</a> now that he was also an
iPhone user and he downloaded the app as well. This is when <a href="http://www.minecraft.net/" target="_blank">Minecraft</a> really
got ahold on me. Initially I didn’t notice that I was slowly succumbing to the
thralls of addiction. I mean, Joe would build something awesome and then I’d
try to top him, and then he’d top me again and send me back to the drawing
board. It was all just good clean fun, right? Well, not entirely. I don’t even
want to admit to the amount of time I’ve spent creating a world in <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/minecraft-pocket-edition/id479516143?mt=8" target="_blank">Minecraft Pocket Edition</a>, but I think at this point I’m at week’s not even days.
There might’ve even been a day or two when Jaclyn left for work and I started
playing and then when she returned home from work she found me un-showered
sitting on the couch still clasping my iPhone in my hand raving about my new
underwater temple. She’d smile at me, but I could see in her eyes the look of
fear. “That’s ok,” I thought to myself, she’s just worried that I didn’t do
the… pick a random chore or task I didn’t complete (to include a new blog
entry) and she’ll feel better when I do it tomorrow, but in the meantime check
out this sick waterfall I designed! This is how my weekends were; she worked while
I spent time killing the battery on my iPhone playing <a href="http://www.minecraft.net/" target="_blank">Minecraft</a> and then
plugging it in and playing some more. Then the addiction grew; it wasn’t enough
to just play when she wasn’t home anymore, I began to play while we spent time
together, like while we watched movies or got caught up with our TV shows. I
played on car rides and while we waited for dinner, I played and played and
played. Then, one night as she lay in bed beside me and I finally put the game
down, I told her, “You know, I think I might be addicted to <a href="http://www.minecraft.net/" target="_blank">Minecraft</a>.” Her
eyes rolled; I knew this fact had been obvious to her for a while now, and I
guess I had been acutely aware of my growing addiction, too. After all, hadn’t
I suddenly been suffering from carpal tunnel? <a href="http://www.minecraft.net/" target="_blank">Minecraft</a> was no longer just a
timewaster, it had become part of my daily routine and overall probably the
best app I’ve ever purchased value-wise (and I have folders and folders of
games). But I starting hearing about everything I was missing by playing The
Pocket Edition; for instance, the mascot of <a href="http://www.minecraft.net/" target="_blank">Minecraft</a> was the Creeper and I
hadn’t even seen one besides on a t-shirt. I’m not complaining; I love <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/minecraft-pocket-edition/id479516143?mt=8" target="_blank">The Pocket Edition</a> and they’ve been great with the updates (most recent one
introduced crafting!) but it was time to move on to something more substantial,
something more expansive.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k-IEgKNkIgU/T7SOQJS0xdI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/mRoBEwHmeCc/s1600/IMG_1604.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k-IEgKNkIgU/T7SOQJS0xdI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/mRoBEwHmeCc/s400/IMG_1604.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zombies in my underwater lair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I was right about to buy the
original <a href="http://www.minecraft.net/" target="_blank">Minecraft</a> when I heard about the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003O6JKLC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003O6JKLC" target="_blank">Xbox 360</a></span> version on the horizon. I
liked the idea of playing on the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003O6JKLC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003O6JKLC" target="_blank">360</a></span> because I’d be able to use the controller
to play and I’d get some use out of my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003O6JKLC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003O6JKLC" target="_blank">360</a></span> (with all the <a href="http://www.zelda.com/universe/?ref=http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=legend%20of%20zelda&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CGMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zelda.com%2F&ei=f5O0T7qLI8GEgweT5qjbDw&usg=AFQjCNHGr3u8l83zXBM1rpU_wt8vE2xSBg" target="_blank">Zelda</a> gaming, it’s
been collecting dust). I decided to wait. Little did I know how hard the wait
would be - I had recently visited my brother in Colorado and he showed me
everything I had been missing and that alone almost made me break down and buy
it. But I held fast and waited until May 9th to buy the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003O6JKLC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003O6JKLC" target="_blank">Xbox</a></span> version (I even
scored cheaper <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001V7QIDO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001V7QIDO" target="_blank">Microsoft Points</a></span> by purchasing them off of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span>) and it was
worth the wait. Now, I know for all of you hardcore crafters out there I speak
blasphemy praising both the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003O6JKLC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003O6JKLC" target="_blank">Xbox</a></span> and <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/minecraft-pocket-edition/id479516143?mt=8" target="_blank">The Pocket Edition</a> having never once
played the original, but like I said before I’m not really a computer gamer. Honestly,
the last game I think I played on a computer was Indiana Jones and Fate of
Atlantis (man that reminds me I have to buy <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RERN30/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001RERN30" target="_blank">Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings</a></span> for Wii so I can finally beat Fate of Atlantis). I don’t know why I have
an aversion to computer games; maybe it’s because I’m already in front of the
computer enough (writing mostly, stuff like this) or maybe it’s because even
though I use a laptop, I have it so tethered to my desk through various devices
it’s actually more convenient to use it at the desk making using the computer
an isolating event, or maybe… I dunno, I just own gaming systems so I want to
use them. I’m not sure, but whatever the case is I’m not very good at gaming on
my computer. That being said, I was/am very excited to be able to play <a href="http://www.minecraft.net/" target="_blank">Minecraft</a> on my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003O6JKLC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003O6JKLC" target="_blank">Xbox</a></span>. It allows me the ability to play with my brother (the one and only
one living in Denver), it allows Jaclyn to try it out and see that the thing
eating up so much of my time is actually pretty cool (and she has enjoyed
playing the game with me) and when Joe (who now lives in Virginia) purchases it
too, all four us will be able to build in the same world, which will be
amazing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fSP8r7EGXr8/T7SPeJ2VAxI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/8r2tIM0-C3E/s1600/IMG_1603.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fSP8r7EGXr8/T7SPeJ2VAxI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/8r2tIM0-C3E/s400/IMG_1603.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of my towers at day break</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
It’s only been a week since the
<a href="http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Minecraft-Xbox-360-Edition/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802584111f7" target="_blank">Xbox version</a> was released and I’ve already earned all the achievements but two
(haven’t rode a pig, haven’t travel 500m in a mine cart), unlocked all of the
gamer awards (just look at my avatar) and earned two different gamer pics, but
even with all of that accomplished there is still so much more to do. I’ve only
created one castle and I don’t even think that is quite done. I mean, not now
that I have access to the Nether realm and can mine for Glow Blocks and Soul
Sand, and I haven’t even really begun to experiment with the Red Stone Ore or
mine carts. But before I let too much more time pass, it’s time to return to
the <a href="http://www.zelda.com/universe/game/wind/" target="_blank">Great Sea</a> and continue on my quest to beat all of the <a href="http://www.zelda.com/universe/?ref=http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=legend%20of%20zelda&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CGMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zelda.com%2F&ei=f5O0T7qLI8GEgweT5qjbDw&usg=AFQjCNHGr3u8l83zXBM1rpU_wt8vE2xSBg" target="_blank">Legend of Zelda</a> games
before I get sucked even deeper into the world of <a href="http://Minecraft/" target="_blank">Minecraft</a>. Right after I
place this last block that is…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-87905140778088517502012-04-30T19:51:00.006-07:002012-05-01T14:56:33.787-07:00PAX East 2012 Day Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIGM4Mpk2lc/T59Cpxf8TcI/AAAAAAAAA8s/UcMu3DqlZ7c/s1600/PAX+East+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIGM4Mpk2lc/T59Cpxf8TcI/AAAAAAAAA8s/UcMu3DqlZ7c/s400/PAX+East+2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Previously at <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a>…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
After getting a late start and
arriving at the <a href="http://www.massconvention.com/bcec.html" target="_blank">Boston Convention Center</a> later than originally planned, our
group quested for swag bags, badge lanyards and sustenance, ultimately missing
out on our first opportunity to hit the Expo Hall Floor. The night was salvaged
by the awesomeness of the Friday Night Concerts, getting to see <a href="http://supercommuter.net/" target="_blank">Supercommuter</a>,
<a href="http://www.minibosses.com/" target="_blank">The Minibosses</a>, <a href="http://www.metroidmetal.com/" target="_blank">Metroid Metal</a>, and <a href="http://www.protomen.com/" target="_blank">The Protomen</a> (read about it <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/04/pax-east-2012.html" target="_blank">here</a>). And now,
with sleepy eyes and happy hearts, our heroes shuttled back to the <a href="http://www.bostonparkplaza.com/" target="_blank">Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers</a> for some much needed rest…<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
FIRE! PANIC! FIRE! My eyelids had
just about sealed shut with the sandman’s kiss when the hotel fire alarm
sounded loudly and I jumped back out of bed. “What the hell is going on?” I
asked to no one in particular as the rest of my groggy group were also jolted
awake by the ear piercing sound of the alarm. We were now very much awake, but
confused by the situation; I’ll elaborate. When we fell asleep it was in a fit
of giggles and questions about whether or not our old heater was simply making
a lot of noise or did we have a gas leak. We had surmised that the giggles were
a symptom of exhaustion and not our impending doom caused by a room slowly
filling with gas. But now, jolted back awake by the unrelenting wail of the
building fire alarms, we were not so sure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PwDS13yzBVo/T59BwS44faI/AAAAAAAAA8U/dRy5EWSviC4/s1600/IMG_0489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PwDS13yzBVo/T59BwS44faI/AAAAAAAAA8U/dRy5EWSviC4/s400/IMG_0489.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: Zelda, Travis & Link</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span">We joined the rest of our fellow
sleep-deprived hotel patrons emptying into the quickly overcrowding hallways
and began the long shuffle down several archaic corridors towards the lobby. I
can only describe the scene we found there as something straight out of a
Romero film: hoards of people milling around aimlessly, eyes glossed over with a
thousand-yard stare, stumbling over each other as more and more flooded the
lobby. I began to wonder to myself what would happen if every patron in the
hotel did decide to heed the loud repeated warning and join us in the lobby.
Would we all drown in a sea of pajama bottoms and bathrobes? Be smothered by
the very clothes meant to keep us warm and snuggly? I pictured fighting to keep my head above a
swirling terrycloth whirlpool while clinging hands of strangers threatened to
pull me back down into the depths. The nauseating smell of stale beer and the
hot breath of a fellow <a href="http://www.bostonparkplaza.com/" target="_blank">Park Plaza</a> survivor shattered my daydream, snapping me
back into our sad reality. Our new companion came to <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> a game designer,
but now, like all of us staying at <a href="http://www.bostonparkplaza.com/" target="_blank">Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers</a>, he was
just another member of the herd. He had been up late partying, and like us had
just hit the pillow when the alarm sounded. He said he had a roommate still in
bed, but he wasn’t able to rouse him. It turns out our game designer’s roommate
had the right idea because after standing around for what felt like an eternity
we found out it was a false alarm caused by a mischievous punk pulling the alarm
on the fifth floor. Very funny, guy; now do the world a favor and please go
play in traffic for your next trick. Now our group plus one waited for our turn
to ride the elevators back up to our rooms and try and get what little sleep we
could before the following days activities. Why not take the stairs? Well,
because hundreds of our closest friends had the same idea and we were now stuck
in a damned-if-you-do damned-if-you-don’t situation. It was better to just stay
the course and wait for an elevator than try to brave the overcrowded stairways
and halls. When our elevator finally came, we parted company with our friend
the game designer. I never got to ask him what game was his, but in our
exhausted states it probably was for the best. I hope if you’re out there
reading this you got more sleep than we did and enjoyed the rest of your time
at </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span">. Yeah, that’s right, here’s where I should get to tell you that
once we got the “All clear” to return to our rooms, we leapt into our beds and
embraced Morpheus’ sweet embrace, but that would be a lie. Unfortunately, a
second set (as in more than one) of alarms sounded letting us know it was safe
to go back to our rooms. This went on for quite awhile and I managed to capture
the audio - enjoy…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bywv0cMuyCs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Dawn of the Second Day - 48 Hours
Remain <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7-6bjd-E-co/T58-vzY19AI/AAAAAAAAA68/7roxURCcLTU/s1600/IMG_0427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7-6bjd-E-co/T58-vzY19AI/AAAAAAAAA68/7roxURCcLTU/s400/IMG_0427.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Travis first enters the PAX Expo </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Due to the festivities of the
previous evening, we were dragging pretty bad when the dawn of the second day
of <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> broke. Needless to say, my carefully calculated schedule I created
via the guidebook app had been thrown into complete disarray. But not even the
complete lack of sleep could stop us today, for today was the day that I would
get to pop Joe & Desiree’s proverbial cherry and expose them to the
honeypot that is the Expo Hall floor. But we are only human after all and
before we could quest onto the Expo Hall we first needed provisions and they
came in the form of oversized jelly-filled powdered sugar covered doughnuts. I
will admit that I also had to buy myself a fruit cup (I’m just programed now to
search out fruits and vegetables) and both the doughnut and the fruit cup were
delicious. And now it was time to hit the Expo Hall Floor, almost… See, in a
fit of excitement I managed to cut myself on my <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> badge and was in dire need
of an adhesive bandage (no, I didn’t stop to snap a picture of this gusher).
Luckily I managed to maim myself directly across from the first aid station and
was able to quickly snag the desired bandage. So after my brief medical episode
it was now time to enter the Expo Hall, almost… I had made a promise to my
future brother in-law, the very same man who told me about the magical land
that is <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a>, to purchase him a 2012 t-shirt and it made sense to do this
now because the entrance to the Expo Hall just happened to be where the <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> merchandise was housed (convenient, right?). So one Large black <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> 2012
t-shirt and two red and white <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> 2012 scarves later (matching scarves for
J and I), we were now on our way… To <a href="http://www.protomen.com/" target="_blank">The Protomen</a> table because I wanted to
pick up an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LW06AO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002LW06AO" target="_blank">Act II: Father of Death</a> t-shirt and I’m glad I did because it gave
me an opportunity to talk to Turbo Lover about the show and become every inch
of fanboy for a brief moment. And then, with all of our <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> swag in hand
(PAX Tip numero uno: always bring a bag) we finally stepped onto the escalator
and descended into madness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UkpZm1PPiio/T58_ssQLKJI/AAAAAAAAA7E/921l3myp43U/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UkpZm1PPiio/T58_ssQLKJI/AAAAAAAAA7E/921l3myp43U/s400/IMG_0487.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The vacant Lollipop Chainsaw bus </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first thing I locked onto was
the giant banners for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J5K9EI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005J5K9EI" target="_blank">Lollipop Chainsaw</a></span>, the forthcoming game debut from
Hollywood screenwriter/director and personal hero <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jamesgunnfans" target="_blank">James Gunn</a>. Who’s that you
ask? First, stop messing around, and second, go check out his latest offering <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051PLR8S/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0051PLR8S" target="_blank">Super</a></span> and then come back; don’t worry, I’ll wait. Okay, did you watch it or at
least update your <a href="http://www.netflix.com/" target="_blank">Netflix</a> queue? Pretty freakin’ sweet, right (seriously watch
that movie)? Okay, well before I lose you again to check out the rest of his
work (and you should, you won’t be disappointed) I have to talk about my own
personal disappointment. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialJessicaNigri" target="_blank">Jessica Nigri</a>, the winner of the Juliet Cosplay
contest, was there in person with game creative director Suda51 representing <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J5K9EI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005J5K9EI" target="_blank">Lollipop Chainsaw</a></span> (the only thing cooler would’ve been if <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jamesgunnfans" target="_blank">James Gunn</a> was there
himself) but because of the nature of her <a href="http://kotaku.com/5900134/skimpy-outfit-gets-lollipop-chainsaw-cosplayer-asked-to-leave-pax" target="_blank">costume</a> (she was wearing two
different costumes from the game) she was asked to change and leave the floor.
Because of this, and my poorly timed <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> entrance, I missed my opportunity
to snag a picture with Juliet from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J5K9EI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005J5K9EI" target="_blank">Lollipop Chainsaw</a></span>: total bummer. The second
letdown came in the form of the line to check out the game; it wasn’t just big,
it was ginormous, such so that you had to wait to even be able to form a line.
For me this wasn’t a huge disappointment because I know I’m buying the game
anyway, but getting my hands on one of those foam chainsaws would’ve been
sweet. If the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J5K9EI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005J5K9EI" target="_blank">Lollipop Chainsaw</a></span> booth was so popular, I can only hope that
leads to game sales and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jamesgunnfans" target="_blank">James Gunn</a>’s debut into videogames will be a smooth and
profitable one. So, like I said, disappointing but in a bittersweet way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08H4lydTjR8/T58_1U_9KwI/AAAAAAAAA7M/rHiGcePCWJE/s1600/IMG_0434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08H4lydTjR8/T58_1U_9KwI/AAAAAAAAA7M/rHiGcePCWJE/s400/IMG_0434.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: Joe and Travis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span">Instead of standing around waiting
to get into line (a line for a line) we moved on to the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050SY300/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0050SY300" target="_blank">Xbox Kinect</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> area to
check out </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I0HCNI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002I0HCNI" target="_blank">Kinect Star Wars</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">. The game had been released just days before </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> and I decided to wait rather than preorder or purchasing it. I mean, I was
going to have an opportunity to play it at </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> so why jump the gun? Just
because I’m an uber Star Wars fanboy wasn’t enough to get me to drop the
$49.99; it hasn’t even been that long since the new </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZSJ212/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003ZSJ212" target="_blank">Blu-ray</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> set was released
and the sting hasn’t had time to wear off (the 3D movies hitting the theater
doesn’t help). And let’s be honest, the online reviews of the game have been
less than favorable. So I was curious to give it a shot, but I didn’t want to
have to buy it to try it (thanks </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span">). I was hoping for a battle royal
against Joe, a little Jedi vs. Sith action, but instead we had the choice of a
Galactic Dance Off or to test out the Rancor Rampage mode. I won’t lie, I
originally bought the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050SY300/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0050SY300" target="_blank">Kinect</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> so Jaclyn could play Dance Central because she
loves to dance. What ended up happening though were many drunken sessions of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004I5EE46/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004I5EE46" target="_blank">Dance Central</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">, Joe vs. yours truly, with Jaclyn not really participating as much as
coming home from work to find us busting a move. So the prospect of the
Galactic Dance Off wasn’t intimidating, it was more so been there done that,
what else you got. I will admit, seeing Han Solo getting down with Storm
Trooper backup dancers is the right kind of hilarious. So Rancor Rampage it
was, Joe and I got the quick gameplay explanation from the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I0HCNI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002I0HCNI" target="_blank">Kinect Star Wars</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> worker and we were off to the races… sort of. The controls were simple enough,
but it was really hard to stay in front of the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050SY300/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0050SY300" target="_blank">Kinect</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> sensor. I mean, we were
only running in place but I could not for the life of me stay where I needed to
be; the game was constantly yelling at me to move myself right or back. After
we concluded our turn, I asked Joe if he had the same problem or felt as
equally uncoordinated, and he indeed had the same issues. The plus of a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050SY300/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0050SY300" target="_blank">Kinect</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> is no controllers, but only if you can still have control over the game; this
was a fail. I’m still interested in playing the Jedi Destiny: Dark Side Rising
Mode and will have to play the game again before I completely make up my mind.
Jaclyn played the Galactic Dance Off mode and said it was fun, but once again I
have </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004I5EE46/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004I5EE46" target="_blank">Dance Central</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050SYYEK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0050SYYEK" target="_blank">Dance Central 2</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> for that. The absolute highlight of my
time at the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I0HCNI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002I0HCNI" target="_blank">Kinect Star Wars</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> area was seeing a father with his two kids, one
dressed as a Jedi and the other dressed as Leia, walking side by side with
their working life-sized R2D2. That majorly stole the cake and made my </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I0HCNI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002I0HCNI" target="_blank">Kinect Star Wars</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> experience so much cooler, so thank you R2.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hFopufz8ABM/T58__zVLVZI/AAAAAAAAA7U/1nj-8vJslw8/s1600/IMG_0436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hFopufz8ABM/T58__zVLVZI/AAAAAAAAA7U/1nj-8vJslw8/s400/IMG_0436.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">R2D2 steals the show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span">After finishing up at the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050SY300/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0050SY300" target="_blank">Xbox</a> </span>booth, we decided it was almost time to grab some food again (I know, how much
time was wasted on nourishment?) but before we did we navigated around the Expo
Hall Floor a little bit to see what sites needed to be seen. As I previously
mentioned, I had planned out a day of panels but as the time kept slipping by
so did my opportunities to check them out. Because of the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I0HCNI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002I0HCNI" target="_blank">Kinect Star Wars</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> demo,
I missed my chance to check out the Comedy, Video Games and the Internet: A
Steamy Love Triangle with <a href="http://www.collegehumor.com/" target="_blank">College Humor</a> & <a href="http://www.dorkly.com/" target="_blank">Dorkly</a> panel. If the panel was
even half as funny as the videogame videos they’ve been producing, I’m sure it
was a blast. But we had just hit the Expo Hall and how could I come all the way
to Boston and not check out a game or two? The next panel I wanted to check out
wasn’t until 3:00 p.m. so that gave us time to eat and explore a little further.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kckFZfrIcnM/T59CUx0ZjeI/AAAAAAAAA8k/FUsuJnLcvXc/s1600/IMG_0451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kckFZfrIcnM/T59CUx0ZjeI/AAAAAAAAA8k/FUsuJnLcvXc/s400/IMG_0451.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: Jaclyn & Travis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span">Our meals the night we landed were
nothing to write home about (run of the mill burger and fries; not bad but
nothing crazy). For lunch I had a better idea and headed to the farthest
reaches of Level 0 to reach it. Like last year, we had arrived late to <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> and never had to form up in the Queue to gain entrance, but we did have to
venture to the Queue area to gain our swag bags and lanyards and this was the
reminder I needed to remember that some of the great food is hidden in the Level
0 Food Court (PAX Tip numero dos: Level 0 food is where it’s at). We dined on
mouth-watering pulled-pork and gnawed on giant turkey legs as we planned out
our game of attack. The lunch was amazing and the Mt. Dew Code Red gave me a
much needed caffeine boost to continue on our quest. After our quick recharge,
we were off and exploring the area that I didn’t spend too much time in the
year before: the Tabletop area. Now not completely lost, I headed over to the
<a href="http://www.sjgames.com/" target="_blank">Steve Jackson Games</a> table to see if I could score a <a href="http://www.warehouse23.com/item.html?id=SJG5204" target="_blank">Zombie Dice Bag</a> because the
cardboard cup that came with my game was taking a beating and a </span><a href="http://www.warehouse23.com/item.html?id=SJG5204" target="_blank">Zombie Dice Bag</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> is both portable and cool. But Travis, don’t you already have </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IKMR0U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003IKMR0U" target="_blank">Zombie Dice</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> on
your iPhone and iPad 2? Yes I do, but there is something satisfying about being
able to throw real dice that makes having the physical game with you worth it,
and as I said, the bag is cool. I didn’t have any luck scoring a </span><a href="http://www.warehouse23.com/item.html?id=SJG5204" target="_blank">Zombie Dice Bag</a><span class="Apple-style-span">, but I was able to pick up the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007JPS3YY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007JPS3YY" target="_blank">Zombie Dice 2 Double Feature</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> that adds three
more dice to the game play and makes the game more challenging with the edition
of a Hunk, Hottie and Santa Claus die. I debated picking up a copy of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IKMR0K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003IKMR0K" target="_blank">Cthulhu Dice</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> for myself (a Christmas present for my Secret Santa) but I think it was
because the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XDUXSK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003XDUXSK" target="_blank">Cthulhu Dice Bag</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> was so awesome. Don’t get me wrong, the game seems
like it would be a lot of fun but the stuffed </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XDUXSK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003XDUXSK" target="_blank">Cthulhu Dice Bag</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> is sick. Joe
& Desiree were also able to make purchases in the Tabletop area snagging
themselves </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786955651/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0786955651" target="_blank">Magic the Gathering</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> mystery boxes at a really good price. It was actually Magic
that got Joe first interested in attending </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> after I returned from it
last year and showed him the starter deck I received in my swag bag. He then
attempted to show me how to play and I think if I would’ve continued with it I
would’ve been sucked in too, but the hard reality is it’s another expense. And
between comics, movies and videogames, I don’t think I can take on another
habit at this time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JD75OEStJ5I/T59AewgYYuI/AAAAAAAAA7k/Y8uavy868s8/s1600/IMG_0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JD75OEStJ5I/T59AewgYYuI/AAAAAAAAA7k/Y8uavy868s8/s400/IMG_0465.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NUIT/TV Multi-Touch Display</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With our new loot we left the
Tabletop area and headed back out to the main Expo Hall floor to explore a
little further and get to see some more games before we headed upstairs to the
Cat room for the American Classic Arcade Museum – Video Arcade Panel. Our first
stop was at <a href="https://store.mesamundi.com/" target="_blank">Mesa Mundi Inc.</a> who caught our eye with their awesome looking NUIT/TV
Multi-Touch Display set-ups. There were people drawing and others playing
shuffle puck or virtual air hockey or whatever it was called and Joe and I
wanted to give it a try. Now, maybe it was my tired state or maybe my
coordination really was just completely lacking, but Joe destroyed me; in fact,
I think I scored more points on myself than him. But the screen was awesome and
it felt like playing a game on a giant iPad. It was easy to use and the guy
quickly demonstrated the set-up for us. I don’t think I’ll have an extra couple
thousand dollars laying around anytime soon, but if I do…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujh4LqvvMBE/T59ApKnRJvI/AAAAAAAAA7s/aPswMDDHWB0/s1600/IMG_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ujh4LqvvMBE/T59ApKnRJvI/AAAAAAAAA7s/aPswMDDHWB0/s400/IMG_0474.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four Swords Links and Travis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I decided that before we exited the
Expo Hall I should probably swing by the Nintendo booth to see if I could spot
Pit and land some exclusive AR cards for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I0EMBI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002I0EMBI" target="_blank">Kid Icarus: Uprising</a></span>. When we made it
to the Nintendo section, unfortunately there was no Pit, but I did run into
three Link’s from The Legend of Zelda Four Swords wielding <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/collectibles/e847/" target="_blank">Minecraft Foam Pickaxes</a>
that didn’t mind snapping a picture with me, another highlight of <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a>. Their
friend, dressed as Finn from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007Q0JJHC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007Q0JJHC" target="_blank">Adventure Time</a></span>, even gave me props on the Lon Lon
Milk shirt I scored this past December from <a href="http://www.teeraiders.com/home.html" target="_blank">TeeRaiders.com</a>. And since we were
all getting along it seemed like a perfect time to ask where everyone was
getting their <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/collectibles/e847/" target="_blank">Minecraft Foam Pickaxes</a> from, something that both Joe and I had
been wondering. The ladies were happy to point us in the right direction and
our new quest had begun. Well, sort of. I mean, at this point it wasn’t really
a quest. We finally received really good directions on where to find the place
selling the <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/collectibles/e847/" target="_blank">Minecraft Foam Pickaxes</a> and, like most obsessions, when we finally
found our object of desire it left us feeling unfulfilled. I knew that since
the item would be a purchase that I could just wait and get one from
<a href="http://ThinkGeek.com/" target="_blank">ThinkGeek.com</a> and I’m not sure what made Joe balk; they might’ve actually been
sold out. Either way, we both walked away empty-handed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dPBkc6mjwB8/T59A6TX7UhI/AAAAAAAAA70/k90aux8KbL4/s1600/IMG_0476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dPBkc6mjwB8/T59A6TX7UhI/AAAAAAAAA70/k90aux8KbL4/s400/IMG_0476.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The home of the Minecraft Foam Pickaxe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With our <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/collectibles/e847/" target="_blank">Minecraft Foam Pickaxes</a> mission now complete, the only thing left to do was to leave the Expo Hall
floor and head to the Cat room for the American Classic Arcade Museum – Video Arcade
Panel. This wasn’t our first line wait (we had to queue for the Friday Night
Concerts) but this was the first time we had to do it this tired. The lack of
sleep was really starting to catch up with our party and the girls were definitely
starting to drag. Sitting still for any amount of time was going to equal one
thing and one thing only: someone was going to fall asleep. Determined to keep
watch while the others dozed off, I decided to take out my trusty handcrafted
leather bound journal and jot some notes down so I wouldn’t in a haze forget
everything that we’ve experienced so far. I was psyched to get to break in my
new journal and knew it would turn heads (and it did) because of how sweet it
looks. My friend Lindsey of <a href="http://booksforalltime.com/" target="_blank">booksforalltime.com</a> custom-made it for me to
adventure with and it held up nicely being tossed around in my backpack. It’s
because of my travel journal that you’re able to read this account of my
experience at <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIdmmysv_nE/T59BD3QnYiI/AAAAAAAAA78/jDFOzyhJ0fY/s1600/IMG_0478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIdmmysv_nE/T59BD3QnYiI/AAAAAAAAA78/jDFOzyhJ0fY/s400/IMG_0478.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Travis and his travel journal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
The American Classic Arcade Museum
– Video Arcade Panel wasn’t quite what I expected but still was interesting.
I’m not sure what I pictured it to be, but it was interesting to hear Steve
Gloson (Co-creator of Ms. Pacman) and Jonathan Hurd (Programmer of Food Fight)
talk about their experiences dealing with and working for Atari during the
initial videogame boom. Their stories reminded me of watching Code Monkeys and
made me wish I could’ve been there to watch the evolution of gaming from arcade
to home console first hand. Eric Pribyl, the other panelist and programmer of
Cruisin’ USA, Cruisin’ World, and Cruisin’ Exotica, was directly responsible
for stealing a ton of quarters out of my pockets with his games (at the very
arcade my wife used to manage I might mention). It was fun to get to hear the
two different generations of programmers talk about the worlds they lived in
and ultimately made me jonze for some old skool arcade action. Luckily, in
addition to hosting the panel The American Classic Arcade Museum had set up a Classic
Arcade room so we could do exactly that. Walking into the Classic Arcade room
was reminiscent of being in the <a href="http://the-1up.com/main/" target="_blank">Denver Barcade 1Up</a>. There were all the classics
from Ms. Pacman to Frogger, from Tron to Donkey Kong. It was awesome and I wish
we could’ve hung out longer, but unfortunately the lack of sleep was starting
to catch up with us again. It just meant that sooner than later I would have to
make a trip to the arcade mecca that is <a href="http://www.funspotnh.com/" target="_blank">Funspot</a> in New Hampshire and get some
more time with some old school games.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7wYC7_EBKRo/T59BKmotfuI/AAAAAAAAA8E/iHEmf2Rac6s/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7wYC7_EBKRo/T59BKmotfuI/AAAAAAAAA8E/iHEmf2Rac6s/s400/IMG_0479.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The American Classic Arcade Museum - Video Arcade Panel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span">We only had a little time to kill
after leaving the Classic Arcade Room before the next panel and the one I had
most looked forward to since the <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> schedule was first posted. How Not to
Succeed as a Freelance Game Journalist promised to be an entertaining and
educational experience and really was the thing I was most excited for. But
thanks to the lack of sleep I wasn’t even feeling like I was at fifty percent
and I was scared I’d do something super embarrassing like fall asleep during
the panel. Luckily the people from <a href="http://www.5hourenergy.com/index.asp" target="_blank">5-Hour Energy</a> were there and I was able to
score a little pick me up before getting in the line for the panel. I spent the
time waiting in the queue trying to log some game time in The Legend of Zelda:
Link’s Awakening, but even a game I’ve played a million times seemed way too
challenging; in the battle of sleep vs. Travis I was losing. I looked around at
my party and it seemed like I wasn’t the only one. It was going to be rough. Fortunately
the time seemed to pass by pretty quickly and sooner than later we were seated
in front of the journalism panel hosted by Susan Arendt (<a href="http://www.escapistmagazine.com/" target="_blank">The Escapist</a>) and made
up of AJ Glasser (<a href="http://www.insidenetwork.com/index.php" target="_blank">Inside Network</a>), Justin McElroy (<a href="http://www.polygon.com/" target="_blank">Polygon</a>), Andrew Hayward
(<a href="http://www.maclife.com/" target="_blank">MacLife</a>), Kyle Orland (<a href="http://arstechnica.com/" target="_blank">Ars Technica</a>) and Rob Rath (freelance). The panel was
everything I wanted it to be: highly entertaining stories from Susan Arendt,
Justin McElroy and AJ Glasser were especially funny, but it was also
informative and it was most interesting to hear from Rob Rath who is still
currently working as a freelance writer. I wanted to hear how the pros
transitioned from freelance to fulltime, but at the same time it was great to
hear from someone who is still currently working freelance how he balances his
daily life with the life that he wants (the life of a paid writer). Lets face
it: I’m still in the baby steps phase of writing and it’s always nice to hear
what some of my next steps could be and very helpful to hear what not to do. My
only disappointment with the panel had nothing to do with the panel itself and
more to do with my over tired condition. I had set out to </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> with high
hopes of handing out business cards and making good first impressions, but in
my current state that just wasn’t going to happen. You only get one chance to
make a first impression and I didn’t want to blow mine because I was running on
fumes. So I didn’t stick around to mingle after the panel and instead ducked
into a taxi and headed back to </span><a href="http://www.bostonparkplaza.com/" target="_blank">Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers</a><span class="Apple-style-span">, business
cards still clenched in my tired hand, no leveling up and no points awarded…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XgwgQPyCiBg/T59BagG5-1I/AAAAAAAAA8M/vF8TWrMca1Y/s1600/IMG_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XgwgQPyCiBg/T59BagG5-1I/AAAAAAAAA8M/vF8TWrMca1Y/s400/IMG_0490.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How Not to Succeed as a Freelance Journalist Panel </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span">Much like the previous year, when
it came to the final day of </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> we didn’t make it. This year it was
because a member of my group wanted to make it back for Easter Dinner, not
because we were ready to go. </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> the second time around was even more fun
than the first and if I would’ve got just a couple hours of sleep I’m sure it
would’ve been even better. I’m looking forward to </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> 2013 and you better
bet I’ll be wide awake and ready to go next year. See you in Boston...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXryP0kz6x8/T59CAYrYEsI/AAAAAAAAA8c/zbaKBpBm10k/s1600/IMG_0483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXryP0kz6x8/T59CAYrYEsI/AAAAAAAAA8c/zbaKBpBm10k/s400/IMG_0483.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pit at the Nintendo Booth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span">Oh yeah one last thing, we did manage to run into Pit and score some </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002I0EMBI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002I0EMBI" target="_blank">Kid Icarus: Uprising</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> AR cards and snag this sweat picture.</span></div>CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-4546839239872030702012-04-29T18:34:00.002-07:002012-04-29T19:14:38.157-07:00PAX EAST 2012<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mfDEiV7Xt1k/T53r28a7doI/AAAAAAAAA6s/T2hVsDipv_0/s1600/PAX+East+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mfDEiV7Xt1k/T53r28a7doI/AAAAAAAAA6s/T2hVsDipv_0/s400/PAX+East+2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span">It seems like just the other day we
were gathered around my Sister in-law’s kitchen table and I was setting out on
what would be my maiden voyage into the world of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1929780664/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1929780664" target="_blank">Zombie Fluxx</a>.</span> The delicious smell of bacon and turkey mixed
in the air, tantalizing our nostrils as I first sweat over the ever-changing
rules of the game. This was November 25th, a date that will be forever known in
my family as Bacon Christmas (I’ll better explain this awesome holiday in a
later entry) and it was time again to discuss our plans to travel to Boston for
the gaming mega-fest known as the <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">Penny Arcade Expo East</a> (or <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a>). Last
year I entered </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> a mere babe lost in a sea of digital stimuli, cosplay,
chiptunes, nerdcore rap and 20-sided die (read about it <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/01/pax-east-2011.html" target="_blank">here</a>). But this year would be different… This year I
was no mere N00b; I’d spent 2011 listening, gaming and absorbing all the
wonderful things </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> had to show me, and now it was time for the 2012 festivities
to begin…</span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zV20ZOoQEyg/T53hfuB_bFI/AAAAAAAAA6g/l3Y58aVNdvk/s1600/DSC04479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zV20ZOoQEyg/T53hfuB_bFI/AAAAAAAAA6g/l3Y58aVNdvk/s400/DSC04479.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: Joe & Desiree PAX East N00bs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
LEVEL II<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Unfortunately my Sister-in-law and
her fiancé, the two that introduced me to the world that is <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a>, were not able
to join us in this year’s festivities, but if you have to miss it they had a
great reason: saving up for their upcoming wedding (Congratulations guys). So
sans our guides and with two new additions to our party, it was time again to
set off to the <a href="http://www.massconvention.com/bcec.html" target="_blank">Boston Convention Center</a> for what promised to be a fun filled weekend
of digital bliss, but not quite yet. Unfortunately my player 2 was extremely
busy working on leveling up in her future career as a RN (Registered Nurse) and
couldn’t miss her Friday morning class, which meant we would be arriving at <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> late. Thankfully, even though we wouldn’t be there for the opening ceremony, I
didn’t have to miss out on <a href="http://jordanmechner.com/" target="_blank">Jordan Mechner</a>’s keynote speech thanks to <a href="http://www.twitch.tv/" target="_blank">TwitchTV</a>
broadcast. So there I sat in front of my computer monitor watching the opening
of <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> unfold, anxiously awaiting Jaclyn to return from school so we could embark
on our quest. I found Mechner’s speech quite interesting and entertaining and
I’m now really looking forward to playing <a href="http://jordanmechner.com/category/last-express/" target="_blank">The Last Express</a> on my </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0047DVWQM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0047DVWQM" target="_blank">iPad 2</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> when
it’s released for the IOS later this year. While I was watching the Keynote and
simultaneously Googling the games I was familiar with, our guests for the
weekend arrived and shortly after that Jaclyn did, too. It was time to unplug
myself from virtual <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> and begin our journey to the real one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1N_wXyCNFI/T53gF5-PRnI/AAAAAAAAA6A/d47bintCYk0/s1600/IMG_0413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1N_wXyCNFI/T53gF5-PRnI/AAAAAAAAA6A/d47bintCYk0/s400/IMG_0413.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First view of PAX East from the shuttle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span">Fast forward several hours and we
were waiting outside of the <a href="http://www.bostonparkplaza.com/" target="_blank">Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers </a>waiting for the
shuttle to scoop us up and bring us to the event we had all now been patiently
waiting for. The schedule of the shuttle, something that seemed to be printed
in Hylian to me last year, made perfect sense this time around and they were
right about to start running again. So a quick and painless bus ride later and
we were there at the gates of the Boston gaming mecca and we only had one thing
left to do before we explored; get our badge lanyards and swag bags. This
wasn’t my first rodeo, but something about now leading a group instead of
following in one gave me a little reservation about journeying into parts
unknown in such a large building. For the record, I did know where I was going,
I was correct in my assumption, and should’ve just went with my gut feeling,
but instead I chose to doubt myself and ask for directions. That lead our party
in the complete wrong direction; we ended up loosing an ox and Jaclyn suffered
from cholera. Okay, maybe that was a little bit of an exaggeration, but what
did end up happening was the expo hall closed while we were busy exploring and
ultimately stopping for food. Huge bummer; first day at <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> and we wouldn’t
even be able to explore the Expo Hall, but honestly I did know we’d be getting
in late and my main goal for Friday was to attend the Friday Night Concerts and
see <a href="http://www.minibosses.com/" target="_blank">The Minibosses</a> play for the first time ever. I’ve been a fan for a while
now. I mean, who doesn’t want to hear their favorite video game music played on
real instruments? It’s great music to listen to while I write (or blog even)
because there are no lyrics. I’m one of those people who can’t write and have
lyrics because then I’m listening to the lyrics instead of writing. Some of my
favorite music to listen to while I write (besides </span><a href="http://www.minibosses.com/" target="_blank">The Minibosses</a><span class="Apple-style-span">) would be </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EI3ON4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004EI3ON4" target="_blank">Daft Punk</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000003S5H/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000003S5H" target="_blank">Air</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VM6XTI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001VM6XTI" target="_blank">Anamanaguchi</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BDIZBM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000BDIZBM" target="_blank">The Advantage</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">, and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OSAT7U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002OSAT7U" target="_blank">Deadmau5</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">, so it
would only be fitting that I cross one of the groups off my list (the list of
bands I need to see) and blog about them as I listen to them (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VM6XTI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001VM6XTI" target="_blank">Anamanaguchi</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> played <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> 2010, but I wasn’t there). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXJNQ6SYXFg/T53fY_lhOwI/AAAAAAAAA54/EhTCG9c5jD4/s1600/Travis,+Joe+&+Desiree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXJNQ6SYXFg/T53fY_lhOwI/AAAAAAAAA54/EhTCG9c5jD4/s400/Travis,+Joe+&+Desiree.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: Travis Desiree & Joe waiting for the show to begin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span">The concert lineup for Friday night
was as follows: <a href="http://supercommuter.net/" target="_blank">Supercommuter</a>, </span><a href="http://www.minibosses.com/" target="_blank">The Minibosses</a><span class="Apple-style-span">, <a href="http://www.metroidmetal.com/" target="_blank">Metroid Metal</a>, and <a href="http://www.protomen.com/" target="_blank">The Protomen</a>. I’d
been a fan of </span><a href="http://www.minibosses.com/" target="_blank">The Minibosses</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> for a while now, but I didn’t know much about the
other bands. Thanks to my awesome future brother in-laws’ insistence that I
check </span><a href="http://www.protomen.com/" target="_blank">The Protomen</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> out, I first went to their website and checked out a few of
their cuts, then quickly downloaded their albums and was completely blown away
by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LW06AO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002LW06AO" target="_blank">Act II: The Father Of Death</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">. Their sophomore album is amazing and if you
haven’t heard it yet you need to check it out; it currently gets heavy rotation
in my car and I was lucky enough to see them play the whole thing live at </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span">. In fact, as excited as I was to see </span><a href="http://www.minibosses.com/" target="_blank">The Minibosses</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> play (and I was super
excited) my excitement was almost eclipsed by my desire to check out </span><a href="http://www.protomen.com/" target="_blank">The Protomen</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> live. We managed to get in line in front of the main theatre pretty
quickly and luckily I had warned those new to </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> that standing in line
was part of the whole process so they came prepared with handheld games and new
apps downloaded on their smart phones. Additionally, the </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> volunteers
were walking around handing out challenges as part of the line experience. I
was handed a fist full of pipe cleaners and asked to build something. I quickly
scanned the colors I was handed (lots of black, a little orange and a single
red) and went to town building a black widow spider. When the volunteer came by
again, I was rewarded for my effort with a </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> 2012 arachnid pin:
score! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wmDs2sGnPXE/T53ccRwNjjI/AAAAAAAAA5s/B1941hT7xD4/s1600/Spider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wmDs2sGnPXE/T53ccRwNjjI/AAAAAAAAA5s/B1941hT7xD4/s400/Spider.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Travis and his spider</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span">The concert began with </span><a href="http://supercommuter.net/" target="_blank">Supercommuter</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> aptly named because they write and compose all of their songs
during their daily commutes and they use a moded Gameboy to make their beats.
They had a fun, catchy Nerdcore sound and were a great opener, and I can see
myself downloading their music in the near future. Check it out if you’re a fan
of hip-hip and/or if you like videogame sounds, something I’m starting to hear
on more and more mainstream tracks.</span><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CQWarluWVdY/T53g-FLWjpI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/zL2qQwReOOQ/s1600/IMG_0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CQWarluWVdY/T53g-FLWjpI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/zL2qQwReOOQ/s400/IMG_0420.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minibosses take the stage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Then the moment that I had been
waiting for… <a href="http://www.minibosses.com/" target="_blank">The Minibosses</a> took the stage and they rocked it, playing some
great stuff from their long list of NES covers. If I had one complaint… Okay,
maybe two, it was that they didn’t play The Legend of Zelda (and no that wasn’t
me yelling “Play Zelda”)which I would’ve loved because I’m chronicling my way
through the game series and there was no Mega Man II. I would’ve loved to hear
both these tracks, maybe even Mega Man II more because it’s how I first
discovered the band and one of my all-time favorites, not to mention the last
videogame that I completed and blogged about (you can read it here). But with
that being said, they did play a lot of their stuff including Kid Icarus where
they were attacked by </span><a href="http://www.metroidmetal.com/" target="_blank">Metroid Metal</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> Eggplant Men, faster and faster versions of
Excitebike (which can all be found on <a href="http://minibosses.bandcamp.com/album/brass-2-mouth" target="_blank">Brass 2</a>) and my personal favorite: rarity
DuckTales. It was great getting to see them play finally and I hope I get
another chance so I can see them play Mega Man II live - it reminds me of the
time I saw Pantera live and they didn’t play Cemetery Gates, but that’s a whole
other story. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJ0hLXEnQhE/T53g0sPFP4I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/JHYasAFX0Qo/s1600/metroid-metal-artwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJ0hLXEnQhE/T53g0sPFP4I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/JHYasAFX0Qo/s400/metroid-metal-artwork.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Up next was </span><a href="http://www.metroidmetal.com/" target="_blank">Metroid Metal</a><span class="Apple-style-span">. They,
much like </span><a href="http://www.minibosses.com/" target="_blank">The Minibosses</a><span class="Apple-style-span">, played covers of NES songs, but unlike the ‘bosses
did it with a theme and that theme was Metroid. The boys of </span><a href="http://www.metroidmetal.com/" target="_blank">Metroid Metal</a> <span class="Apple-style-span">played songs ranging from the original NES classic (now available in the
Nintendo eShop for the 3DS) to the Wii release </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FQBPDU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FQBPDU" target="_blank">Metroid Prime 3: Corruption</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">. It
was really cool to hear these songs in their metal versions and watch the game
play on the large screens as they played. My favorite track was The Tunnel from
Metroid II: The Return of Samus because it was like being transported back in
time. Metroid II: The Return of Samus was one of my first Gameboy games and
twenty-one years ago I spent hours upon hours trying to beat it. Watching the
gameplay on oversized screens while listening to </span><a href="http://www.metroidmetal.com/" target="_blank">Metroid Metal</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> jam on the theme
was the best kind of crazy nostalgia and made me jonze for my black-and-green-screened
Gameboy. You can also get Metroid II: The Return of Samus in the eShop, but I
have many miles of Zelda to beat before I sleep so that walk down memory lane
will have to wait. I would highly recommend checking out </span><a href="http://www.metroidmetal.com/" target="_blank">Metroid Metal</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> though
if you’re a fan of Metroid or metal music, and if you’re a fan of both and
haven’t heard them yet, you’re in for a treat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y854xodPouQ/T53ggJIsabI/AAAAAAAAA6I/KXbA95FhAGo/s1600/Act_II_The_Father_of_Death.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y854xodPouQ/T53ggJIsabI/AAAAAAAAA6I/KXbA95FhAGo/s400/Act_II_The_Father_of_Death.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">The Friday Night Concerts concluded
with </span><a href="http://www.protomen.com/" target="_blank">The Protomen</a><span class="Apple-style-span">, a concept band that writes their music loosely based on the
themes of the Mega Man NES games mixed with their own vision of a dystopian
future where the human race is enslaved by their own conveniences. As I said
before, just hearing a couple tracks from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LW06AO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002LW06AO" target="_blank">Act II: The Father Of Death</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> was
enough to make me run (figuratively, not literally, I was already in front of
my computer) out and get the album. It’s a great example of operatic rock and each
track on the album blended together beautifully, adding to the rich tapestry
that is the overall concept. There are two tracks I love and would absolutely
recommend if you wanted to check out </span><a href="http://www.protomen.com/" target="_blank">The Protomen</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> but didn’t know if you were
ready to just download the whole album and that would be The Hounds and Light
Up the Night. The Hounds has a great rockabilly feel with its driving guitar
and use of horns and Light Up the Night is a great example of the bands ability
to produce great theatrical rock. So if you want to hear a good sample of their
music, those would be my recommendations, but seriously just download </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LW06AO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002LW06AO" target="_blank">Act II: The Father Of Death</a>;</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> you won’t regret it. I will admit, as far as the show went
though I was almost alone in my love for it, not because the girls weren’t fans
but because they were the last band. Their start time was late and the girls
were asleep, especially my player 2 who not too long into </span><a href="http://www.metroidmetal.com/" target="_blank">Metroid Metal</a><span class="Apple-style-span">’s set
was lying on the ground passed out completely. I will give her credit for a)
being able to sleep so soundly at a rock concert, and b) allowing me to stay
and enjoy it, so thank you, but because I’m me here’s a picture of her
sleeping, cute </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KPLVW2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004KPLVW2" target="_blank">Tron</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> hoodie and all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vV-sfN7iTcE/T53cDgqVuNI/AAAAAAAAA5c/IbAen5piQZI/s1600/JAclyn+asleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vV-sfN7iTcE/T53cDgqVuNI/AAAAAAAAA5c/IbAen5piQZI/s400/JAclyn+asleep.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaclyn asleep on the floor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span">With the conclusion of Light Up the
Night, we exited the main theater and made our way sleepily towards the
awaiting buses. Yes The Protomen still had a couple of tracks left on their
album, but I did get to hear my favorite ones and Jaclyn was more than patient
with me; after all she did spend her morning in classes. I was really excited
that the concerts were so great and my party, who had never experienced </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a> <span class="Apple-style-span">before, were equally excited and couldn’t wait to explore the legendary
Expo Hall floor. It was a great night and one of the things besides the great
music that had me pumped was while we waited to get into the show (and yes, as
I crafted my pipe cleaner spider) I spotted a familiar face from The Legend of
Zelda series that first appeared in <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-majoras-mask.html" target="_blank">Majora’s Mask</a>. You guessed it, I’m talking
about the infamous Tingle. Tom had fashioned a great cosplay Tingle costume and
was kind enough to indulge me in letting me capture a photo with him (something
that would’ve rewarded me with a heart piece in <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-majoras-mask.html" target="_blank">Majora’s Mask</a>). This would be
the first of my Zelda-themed pictures of the weekend and one of my favorite
moments of my Friday night. So, with tired eyes and happy hearts, our first day
of </span><a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">PAX East</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> was complete.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tzp9nnxwnW8/T53cKjwfxtI/AAAAAAAAA5k/ZUbsEbWQ1Y8/s1600/Tingle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tzp9nnxwnW8/T53cKjwfxtI/AAAAAAAAA5k/ZUbsEbWQ1Y8/s400/Tingle.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right Tom as Tingle and Travis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Part two coming soon… </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-54592217678404723912012-04-09T16:14:00.001-07:002012-04-09T16:14:25.820-07:00The Princess Bride<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1090</o:Words>
<o:Characters>6213</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ill-Co. Productions</o:Company>
<o:Lines>51</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>14</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>7289</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsGZuG-eGUk/T4NorgKknwI/AAAAAAAAA4I/MH6GBb_Jjk8/s1600/princess_bride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsGZuG-eGUk/T4NorgKknwI/AAAAAAAAA4I/MH6GBb_Jjk8/s400/princess_bride.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">“Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya.
You killed my father. Prepare to die.” That’s right, last week’s <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> at <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/index.php" target="_blank">Essex Cinemas</a> was the 1987 classic, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K7VHPA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000K7VHPA" target="_blank">The Princess Bride</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">. And this
movie my friends was the one that almost got away. You see, the Throwback
Thursdays are growing in popularity and starting to sell out faster and faster.
So if you hear of a movie announced that you really want to see, I’d encourage
you to: a. head to the theater immediately and purchase a ticket, or b. log onto
the </span><a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/index.php" target="_blank">Essex Cinemas</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> webpage and purchase your ticket <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/online_tickets.php" target="_blank">online</a> so you’re not faced
with option c. getting left out in the cold. Thankfully, my friend Winger came
through in a pinch and scooped up some of the last remaining tickets so I was
able to attend.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MThZZK3Ta9A/T4NpYXG5QAI/AAAAAAAAA4g/VLZY0Gkp1PQ/s1600/Westley+and+Inigo+duel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MThZZK3Ta9A/T4NpYXG5QAI/AAAAAAAAA4g/VLZY0Gkp1PQ/s400/Westley+and+Inigo+duel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Four hundred seats and not a single
one left? Yeah, that’s right, it’s not just yours truly that can’t get enough
of watching favorite childhood movies on a massive sixty foot screen (that’s why
it’s called the T-Rex baby); <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a>’s are blowing up in a big way.
I’ve yet to attend one (and I haven’t missed one yet) where someone isn’t
dressed up as one of their favorite characters and the audience isn’t reciting
their favorite lines and cheering when the good guys finally win. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K7VHPA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000K7VHPA" target="_blank">The Princess Bride</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> was no exception. As previously mentioned, I dragged my feet on buying a
ticket; I had a feeling this would be another sold out show, but I figured I
had time so I waited. The weekend came and went and I didn’t have a ticket.
Monday, my day off and my blog day, came and went and I still didn’t have a
ticket. Late that night, long after I had fallen asleep, a very panicked Covino
sent me a text message letting me know that as of midnight on Monday, <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/index.php" target="_blank">Essex Cinemas</a> had less than fifty tickets left and you could no longer buy tickets
online (a fact they had posted on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Essex-Cinemas/78616092816" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>). I received this message
the minute I woke up and turned on my phone. I went from being half asleep to
wide-awake and freaked out in less time then it took to type this sentence - I
couldn’t miss this movie! (Inconceivable!) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I paced back and fourth nervously; it was five
o’clock in the morning and there really wasn’t anything I could do at this
point, besides further freak-out and think the worst. I texted Winger, another
Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG) member and therefore another early riser, to
see if he had purchased his tickets yet; he had not… More panic. I did the only
thing I could do in this situation: I texted Covino the truth, that I didn’t
buy my ticket and most likely would be sitting on the sidelines while he and
the rest of my friends enjoyed the movie. The response back… A frowny face
emoticon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Hours stretched on like days as I
pushed myself through my daily morning work routine, the whole time cursing
myself for not just running to the theater on Saturday night when I was out and
about in Essex. Break time came and I received some amazing news. Winger called
the theater and there were a very small amount of tickets left; so small that
if he had hesitated a second longer they would’ve been gone. He was on the way
to </span><a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/index.php" target="_blank">Essex Cinemas</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> and he was going to pick up tickets for me as well. I breathed
a sigh of relief, but couldn’t completely relax until he let me know he had
indeed scored the ticket, crisis averted, lesson learned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzEIppVI04E/T4Nph2974vI/AAAAAAAAA4o/re1bFEF3fH4/s1600/Fire+Swamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EzEIppVI04E/T4Nph2974vI/AAAAAAAAA4o/re1bFEF3fH4/s400/Fire+Swamp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Based on the fact that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K7VHPA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000K7VHPA" target="_blank">The Princess Bride</a></span> sold out a full forty-eight hours before it played (that’s faster than
<a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/01/goonies.html" target="_blank">The Goonies</a> and <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/03/back-to-future.html" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a>) I don’t think I’m going out on a limb by saying
it wasn’t just a favorite film of mine. I think it holds a special place in
everyone’s heart that had the pleasure of seeing it as a child. Plus, it’s also
the kind of movie people want to share with friends and loved ones that were
not fortunate enough to see it before. But why? What makes <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K7VHPA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000K7VHPA" target="_blank">The Princess Bride</a></span> so great? I don’t think I can say it any better than the late Peter Falk
already did as his character Grandpa: “Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting,
torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles...”
That’s right, it’s got a little something for everyone and isn’t just a
“kissing movie”.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t1hr_rQfQJc/T4No4s1A_vI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/1Blm5_GZS7k/s1600/Grandpa+reads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t1hr_rQfQJc/T4No4s1A_vI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/1Blm5_GZS7k/s400/Grandpa+reads.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">I think the first time I saw <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K7VHPA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000K7VHPA" target="_blank">The Princess Bride</a></span> was when I had stayed home from school because, much like Fred
Savage’s character, I was sick. My Grandfather lived on the other side of the
state so book reading was out of the question and like most nuclear families of
the early nineties both my parents worked. In order to pacify me so the one who
stayed home with me could continue to get some office work done, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K7VHPA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000K7VHPA" target="_blank">The Princess Bride</a></span> was chosen and I was set up remote in hand on the living room couch in
front of the family television. That’s right, I’m talking about a time before a
TV in every room of the house, even back before my great grandmother gave me
her old thirteen inch black and white set. We were a… gasp… One-television
household, and if I remember right it was a twenty-seven inch television at
that, just a few inches bigger than the monitor I’m composing this blog on.
These were the dark ages kids; could you imagine your family huddling around a TV
with a screen size slightly bigger than a computer monitor? No? Well, back in
my day (how I’ve longed to use that phrase) that’s just the way it was. I
watched some of my favorite movies for the first time on that TV (to include
most of the ones that I’ve now written about) and in my mind they were epic
(one could argue not as epic as seeing them on a sixty foot screen, but I was
much smaller then). From the sword fight between Westley and Inigo Montoya to
the narrowing escape through the fire swamp, I was riveted. I cheered for
Westley, hoping in the end he’d end up with Princess Buttercup and defeat the
evil Prince Humperdinck (a name that still makes me giggle). And, much like
Fred Savage in the movie, despite myself I couldn’t help liking this “kissing
movie”; I mean, at the heart of it, isn’t it a romance? Wasn’t I supposed to
roll my eyes at movies like this and outwardly pretend not to like them while
secretly dying to watch them again? I guess I never was that kid, just like I’m
still not that guy now (I mean, really? Did you read my <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/grease.html" target="_blank">Grease blog</a>?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t have been more psyched to score
some last minute tickets to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K7VHPA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000K7VHPA" target="_blank">The Princess Bride</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> and share the experience for the
first time on the big screen with my own Buttercup. I never claimed to be a
white knight riding up on my horse, but I wouldn’t mind be a dread pirate
chasing down a group of thieves to save my princess.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsDHvnb_mlQ/T4NpAemtwNI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/YMJok6ItSK8/s1600/Inigo_Fezzik_Vizzini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsDHvnb_mlQ/T4NpAemtwNI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/YMJok6ItSK8/s400/Inigo_Fezzik_Vizzini.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K7VHPA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000K7VHPA" target="_blank">The Princess Bride</a></span> was an awesome
pick for a <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> movie and almost in the same vein (if the theme
is missing school) is the next <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> film. Need another hint? How
about “Bueller… Bueller…” That’s right, it’s another John Hughes classic and
recent <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhkDdayA4iA" target="_blank">Honda CR-V commercial</a> spoof, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S86J1C/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001S86J1C" target="_blank">Ferris Bueller's Day Off</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">. If I were you I
wouldn’t wait to claim one of those four hundred seats early, because if this
momentum continues it’s going to be another sold out show. As for me? I
unfortunately have to sit the next one out, but for a good reason; I’ll be out
of town watching my brother graduate. If you don’t have a reason as good as
this, then what are you waiting for? Grab your ticket now and check out a
<a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> - I guarantee you won’t regret it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VaSS2OmuFsM/Tr0yfcrtkxI/AAAAAAAAAV8/QnRU_v3Zm90/s1600/throwbackthursdays800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VaSS2OmuFsM/Tr0yfcrtkxI/AAAAAAAAAV8/QnRU_v3Zm90/s400/throwbackthursdays800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-52282386873181411872012-04-02T18:14:00.001-07:002012-04-02T18:30:14.655-07:00Mega Man II<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zGc8DRBBQBw/T3pEXayCEgI/AAAAAAAAA00/tbFtH2qZQJc/s1600/250px-Megaman2_box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zGc8DRBBQBw/T3pEXayCEgI/AAAAAAAAA00/tbFtH2qZQJc/s400/250px-Megaman2_box.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
When I was much younger, Friday and
Saturday nights meant one thing, and that was sleepovers at one of my two best
friends houses. If it was at John’s house it meant epic G.I. Joe battles and
scary movies; if it was at Mark’s house it meant army crawls through the woods
with our plastic assault rifles or videogame marathons. These marathons might
have changed as the years went by and the systems evolved, but back when they
began it was all about one game and one game only: Mega Man II.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HeVjAp3uosg/T3pFA2WVlWI/AAAAAAAAA08/E0rD1cJoe_0/s1600/mega-man-2-title-screen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="329" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HeVjAp3uosg/T3pFA2WVlWI/AAAAAAAAA08/E0rD1cJoe_0/s400/mega-man-2-title-screen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">I don’t really have any memories of
the original Mega Man. I’m sure I must’ve played it somewhere along the line (I
own <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CBCVF4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000CBCVF4" target="_blank">Mega Man Powered Up</a></span> for the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005QY9ZCY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005QY9ZCY" target="_blank">PSP</a> </span>so I know I’ve played it now) but it never
left much of an impression on me like the sequel did and I don’t think I’m
alone on this either. Mega Man II, a game originally released in 1989, is
available still on all sorts of formats, from a <a href="http://www.nintendo.com/wii/built-in-entertainment/#/wiishop-channel" target="_blank">Wii Virtual Console</a> download to
an iPhone app, and has never really disappeared from gamer’s consciousness.
Mega Man has been a playable character in games like Marvel Vs. Capcom
(noticeably missing from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IEBO9Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003IEBO9Q" target="_blank">Marvel vs. Capcom 3</a></span>) and has made his way onto just
about every console in one form or another including the latest sequel to the
series (Mega Man 10) which is currently available on all three of the seventh
generation consoles (downloadable on <a href="http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Games/XboxArcadeGames" target="_blank">Xbox Live Arcade</a>, <a href="http://us.playstation.com/psn/" target="_blank">PlayStation Network</a> and </span><a href="http://www.nintendo.com/wii/built-in-entertainment/#/wiishop-channel" target="_blank">Wii Virtual Console</a><span class="Apple-style-span">). But it’s Mega Man II that not only stood the test of time
but stands out the most as the game that truly captivated my childhood. My
friend Mark and I would spend hours upon hours trying to defeat all eight of
Dr. Wily’s robot bosses. And defeat them we did, on numerous occasions, but
unfortunately we never got any further than that. We could make it to Dr.
Wily’s layer on a regular basis, but then we’d fall apart. Maybe it was the stress
of playing life or level (for those of you unfamiliar with this concept, it’s
when you have multiple people playing a single player game and trade off the
controller when a player either dies or completes a level) or maybe just the
thrill of being the one to finally fell Wily, but about the time we’d make it
to the first stage of Wily’s fortress the fights would break out. These weren’t
knock-down drag-out fights but arguments that would generally grow louder and
louder until a nearby parental unit would interject, turning off both the
television and the game and encouraging us to find a different way to spend our
time. For some reason this would happen just about every time Mega Man II was
played, but it still stands out in my mind as one of my all-time childhood
favorites.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X7Y5EjGWbug/T3pKCgTqhTI/AAAAAAAAA14/1nYkYRlp3e4/s1600/GutsDozer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X7Y5EjGWbug/T3pKCgTqhTI/AAAAAAAAA14/1nYkYRlp3e4/s400/GutsDozer.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Several years later, Mark and I had
both graduated from High School; he had finished up school early and joined the
Marines and I moved out of state following a girl from Vermont to Georgia. It’s
because of this move that I missed out on the family Christmas celebration and
buffet of 2000, an annual staple of the Kehoe household that mixes both family
and friends and an event that Mark attended more years than I can remember. I
bring it up because my Dad wanted to get us (his two sons that had left the
nest) something special that year and purchased us both Nintendo Entertainment
Systems (NES). Before you jump to conclusions, yes, with release of the Sega
Dreamcast we were already up to the sixth generation consoles, but there is
something special about a NES, something that just brings you back to those
days I previously described, spending hours trying to conquer 8-bit worlds. We
were both psyched at the gesture and talked in great lengths over the phone
about the games we would have to add to our library. For me (as I’ve previously
mentioned) this was my first NES ever. I had a Gameboy, but my only home system
until the release of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was an
Atari 2600, and this was a top loader NES at that. I began to buy the games
that I loved as a kid (with the help of <a href="http://eBay/" target="_blank">eBay</a>) and it goes without saying I bought
all of the Mario Bros games, the Zelda titles, Contra and Super C, Ninja
Turtles II: The Arcade game, Gremlins II, Little Nemo: The Dream Master and a
bunch of others, including Mega Man II. I looked forward to spending hours
after work playing them all, but unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be; in early
2001 I moved back to Vermont to join the Air National Guard and my new NES
didn’t make the move with me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2cZf-XhGUhw/T3pJ30fKocI/AAAAAAAAA1w/bPccQs_CLO0/s1600/MarkEvnin.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2cZf-XhGUhw/T3pJ30fKocI/AAAAAAAAA1w/bPccQs_CLO0/s400/MarkEvnin.bmp" width="271" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Unfortunately, after the loss of my
system and the way life moves, Mark and I never had another opportunity to play
Mega Man II again. On April 3rd 2003, tragedy struck and while fighting in the
Iraq War he was killed in action. This is a subject that is hard for me to talk
about and, as I’m finding out, even harder for me to write about. The loss of
Mark is something that has affected my life greatly and taught me more than
anything that life is short and often happens when we are busy making other
plans. I keep him in my memories on a daily basis, but around this time every
year I like to take some time to reflect back on all of the good times we
shared and just how much his friendship enriched my life. And it was in the
spirit of celebrating the great times Mark and I had growing up that I decided
to enlist some friends and hold the first annual Mega Man II Marathon
(hopefully the first of many) and finally do what he and I set out to do so many
times as kids, but never did: finally conquer Mega Man II.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Mega Meal<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iX5ElVrF6w0/T3pF4oC_UII/AAAAAAAAA1E/sHXUFGYmNt4/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iX5ElVrF6w0/T3pF4oC_UII/AAAAAAAAA1E/sHXUFGYmNt4/s400/photo-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">In order to start the day of
conquering off right, first we needed to start with a properly balanced
breakfast, and that we did, constructing our very first bacon weave a la <a href="http://www.epicmealtime.com/" target="_blank">Epic Meal Time</a>. Now, I will admit it didn’t come out perfect, but it did turn out
delicious with just the right amount of brown sugar to make it both sweet and
savory. We divided the weave into four pieces, each taking a piece, and then
cut the last piece into three equal pieces. I mean, the gameplay was going to
be based on sharing so why not the bacon, right? The divided weave was then
placed on top of a fried egg with cheese that was placed on top of a bagel;
yeah, this was next level egg sandwich maneuvers. The three of us have
attempted some previous </span><a href="http://www.epicmealtime.com/" target="_blank">Epic Meal Time</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> silliness before (like Bacon chocolate
beer batter waffles with Jack Daniels Syrup and Candy Sushi) but today was
about the game, not the cooking, so we left it with just a bacon weave this
time. Then, after some quick clean up it was time to get down to business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNxj0MjTW8k/T3pGobwV8MI/AAAAAAAAA1M/GRfnNV9Ss1I/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNxj0MjTW8k/T3pGobwV8MI/AAAAAAAAA1M/GRfnNV9Ss1I/s400/photo-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
My copy of Mega Man II was on the
<a href="http://www.nintendo.com/wii/built-in-entertainment/#/wiishop-channel" target="_blank">Wii Virtual Console</a>, a gift from my brother (thanks Ryan) when it was first
released. And now it was time to fire up the Wii, sit down and knock this game
out of the park. I also grabbed my copy of Mega Man II for Gameboy and my
Gameboy Advance so we could pass that back and forth while waiting for our next
turn, but that turned out to be more problematic then anything else, so that
idea was scrapped. For some reason, even though I’ve dominated the Gameboy
version several times it proved to be more difficult than its NES counterpart
at this time; maybe it was just trying to take on too much as usual. Anyway, we
were off and running and first up were the eight evil robots and their
respective levels - we started with Air Man. Why Air Man? Because you can take
him down with just your Mega Blaster and I wanted to start out with a level we
could easily beat. That, I’m afraid, did not work out too well; this is where I
quickly found out that even though both Joe & Covino were excited to play
Mega Man II, the one thing they had in common was their lack of Mega Skill. Not
that I was any better (I was pretty rusty right off the bat) but within a few
turns I was falling back into the old groove and dominating evil robots without
prejudice. As much as I’d love to say I single handedly kicked that games butt
while the other two looked on with awe, that would be unkind and also untrue.
Both had their own strengths and came through in a pinch. Joe, being a pretty
hardcore gamer and the youngest of our group, was quite upset that he wasn’t
just a natural at the game and couldn’t believe this 8-bit classic was kicking
his butt. This, mixed with our unspoken competitiveness, drove him to play even
harder, and ultimately made Joe the go-to man when it came to taking down
bosses. With what Covino lacked in skill he made up in heart. He kept us
laughing even when the game made us want to cry and if it wasn’t for him I
wouldn’t have heard the Mega Man II theme with lyrics (I still have it stuck in
my head and now so can you) and to be fair, he did knock out at least one of
the robot bosses.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://2.gvt0.com/vi/ykkdvYThT_Y/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ykkdvYThT_Y&fs=1&source=uds" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ykkdvYThT_Y&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
And what was my contribution? I
navigated through the majority of the levels without taking on any damage and
then would pass the remote to Joe so he could smoke the bosses I was struggling
with. Together we made an unstoppable force that nothing could reckon with…
That is until we made it deeper into Wily’s layer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
***SPOILER ALERT***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCxrQoaymVg/T3pHW8lz3rI/AAAAAAAAA1U/k_jVbRIxwmA/s1600/MegaMan_Dragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCxrQoaymVg/T3pHW8lz3rI/AAAAAAAAA1U/k_jVbRIxwmA/s400/MegaMan_Dragon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
As a kid I never made it passed the
very first level of Wily’s fortress so I never saw what lay in wait after
defeating the Mecha Dragon. I guessed it got harder, but I had no idea what we
were really in for. I guess this is where I should mention we were not really
paying that close attention to collecting E tanks or making sure we carried
them over with our passwords; we were just using a run and gun technique and
trying to make it through the game any way we could, which means most of the
time we were just dying and continuing without really thinking this might come
back to bite us (it did). So, as ecstatic as I was when Joe brought down the Mecha
Dragon that stopped me & Mark in our tracks so many times as kids, I had no
idea of the fresh hell that awaited us. The Mecha Dragon was nothing compared
to the next endurance levels that proved too difficult for any one of us to
take on individually and that is where the team concept really shined through.
I could usually make it through the levels without issue, but needed Joe’s help
to take down bosses like PikpPikp-Kun and the Buebeam Trap (I managed to bring
the Guts-dozer down on my own) but all was lost when we met the first incarnation
of Dr. Wily. Like I’ve previously mentioned, we were not really paying
attention to the E Tank collection and they would’ve come in handy about now.
In order to continue on to fight Dr. Wily, you first have to battle all eight
robots again; not too hard of a task, but fighting eight robots in a row can
take a toll on your life bar. With the E Tanks you can refill your life without
dying, therefore standing a better chance of taking down the evil doctor. I
mean, after all, the first battle against him is two different battles. So now
you’re talking about taking down eight robots and Dr. Wily twice without dying.
Actually, you can beat the eight robots and die, and then fight Dr. Wily on a
different life, but that method leaves you with only two chances to win the
fight and as we found out, not really good odds. Luckily this is where Jaclyn came home and
ordered us some Pizzas to recharge our batteries with (the bacon weave egg
sandwiches had long ago burned away). And after a pizza break we went back to
the game and Joe pulled through again, defeating both Wily’s Ships in a row
without the use of an E Tank (told you he had skills). This brought us to the
final boss of the game: the Alien Wily. Joe and I traded the remote back and
forth trying our best to bring him down, but he just kept destroying us right
as we got him down to three bars of life left. The Bubble Lead you get from
Bubble Man seems to be the only thing that has any effect on Alien Wily and
what sucks about that is you have to get really close to use it. This proved to
be more difficult than it sounds (or even looks for those of you checking out
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ0mUSsYG8Q" target="_blank">YouTube </a>videos). He flies around the screen in a sideways figure eight firing
three devastating pellet shots that eat up your life very quickly and heaven
help you if you run into him. This final boss was almost the breaking point; we
nearly had to walk away a second time, but before we did Joe once again came
through delivering the death blow and taking Wily down once and for all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3th-6Lisxls/T3pHrH2MjcI/AAAAAAAAA1c/BQSHoPPMGPQ/s1600/Mega+Man+2_Jun24+10_08_19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3th-6Lisxls/T3pHrH2MjcI/AAAAAAAAA1c/BQSHoPPMGPQ/s400/Mega+Man+2_Jun24+10_08_19.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
***SPOILERS END***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LU8al9KiYZ8/T3pSjt92wEI/AAAAAAAAA2A/eE7WSSqt3g8/s1600/end+screen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LU8al9KiYZ8/T3pSjt92wEI/AAAAAAAAA2A/eE7WSSqt3g8/s400/end+screen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The three of us set out to do what
Mark and I were never able to do, beat Mega Man II, and I’m happy to say that’s
what we did. I’m pretty psyched that the day turned out that way because for a
little awhile there I wasn’t so sure we were going to have a victory to report
and this would’ve been my White Whale blog. But thanks to Joe & Covino, Dr.
Wily was defeated and the first annual Mega Man II Marathon was a success. This victory is dedicated to you my friend,
we miss you and we’ll never forget. Rest in peace Mark Asher Evnin May 10 1981
– April 3 2003</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBuz3xKX5cs/T3pIGSlYWwI/AAAAAAAAA1k/sU9XkhpwgKM/s1600/224738_10150184118812645_513357644_6854741_3999309_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xBuz3xKX5cs/T3pIGSlYWwI/AAAAAAAAA1k/sU9XkhpwgKM/s400/224738_10150184118812645_513357644_6854741_3999309_n.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-37802993489635882102012-03-27T18:27:00.003-07:002012-03-27T18:27:58.658-07:00The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1554</o:Words>
<o:Characters>8864</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ill-Co. Productions</o:Company>
<o:Lines>73</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>20</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>10398</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DP7ex4RgWyI/T3IqTvCcJ3I/AAAAAAAAAzU/rBmPDTpAMoM/s1600/1775087-legend_of_zelda_a_link_to_the_past_four_swords_nintendo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DP7ex4RgWyI/T3IqTvCcJ3I/AAAAAAAAAzU/rBmPDTpAMoM/s400/1775087-legend_of_zelda_a_link_to_the_past_four_swords_nintendo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Now I do realize in my <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/03/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-ages.html" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages blog</a> I mentioned the next game I’d play in my journey
to complete all of the <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/" target="_blank">Legend of Zelda</a> games would be <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/wind/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker</a>… BUT I couldn’t start (much to my brothers aggravation) Wind Waker
without first completing a game that was released a mere month before Wind
Waker. A re-release of a Super Nintendo classic, the much referenced, and very
first Zelda title completed by me, <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/past/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQ1YVshqiRo/T3IrsjrJVcI/AAAAAAAAAzk/Chafcq6ujJ4/s1600/Link's+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQ1YVshqiRo/T3IrsjrJVcI/AAAAAAAAAzk/Chafcq6ujJ4/s400/Link's+House.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Originally released for the Super
Nintendo April 13, 1992, <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/past/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past </a>was probably
The Zelda game I originally played the most, although as previously mentioned (in
my <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2011/12/legend-of-zelda.html" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda blog</a>) <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/awakening/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening</a> was the
first Zelda game I ever beat. I never owned a Nintendo Entertainment
System<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(NES) as a child and as much as I
had a chance to play it at friends houses, The Legend of Zelda and <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2011/12/zelda-ii-adventure-of-link.html" target="_blank">Zelda II: The Adventure of Link</a> were not really games people would throw in when they had
a friend over. It wasn’t until the release of The Super Nintendo (SNES) and
that faithful Christmas when my brother and I received one that Link would
become a household name in the Kehoe home. Now, we never actually owned The
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. In fact, I think the whole time we had a
SNES we only owned two games: Super Mario World and Mario Paint (I’ll have to
confirm this with my brother). We didn’t own games because you could walk down the
street to Hollywood Video (a Vermont independent video store, different from
the national chain) and rent all the latest games, so why own when you could
rent. This saved us from owning a lot of really bad games, but also limited our
library and our videogame playing habits (man my parents are smarter than I
gave them credit for). So this made video game rental something to look forward
to on the weekends and also made playing time a bit competitive between my
brother and I. Which leads me to my earliest memories of playing The Legend of
Zelda: A Link to the Past - not in it’s glorious 16-bit color pallet, but on a
thirteen inch black and white television set my great grandmother gave me, huddled
together with my brother, sitting on my bed (the lower of two bunk beds)
fighting over whose turn it was to be playing Zelda. Now, I’m not sure if it
was The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past that caused the most amount of
arguments and downright fisticuffs between my brother and I (it might’ve been
Donkey Kong Country) but I know it must’ve been in the top two at least. This
meant more often then not parental intervention, and having to turn off the
game early, which in turn meant playing the game late at night with the sound off
and a blanket pulled over my head and the television to try to muffle the light
from the TV. It was playing this way that I remember getting the Master Sword
for the first time, but I don’t believe I really made it that much farther. I
mean, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was challenging and I only had
the game part time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UGn2aSgbGY8/T3IrFCUSrmI/AAAAAAAAAzc/V-c_R6TQomI/s1600/zelda71-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UGn2aSgbGY8/T3IrFCUSrmI/AAAAAAAAAzc/V-c_R6TQomI/s400/zelda71-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Fast-Forward eight years later and,
as I mentioned in my <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-majoras-mask.html" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask blog</a>, I was living away
from home for the very first time. I had recently graduated from High School
and moved down the east coast from South Burlington, Vermont to Woodstock,
Georgia with my then girlfriend and her family. It was with my girlfriends
little brother and on his SNES where I finally beat The Legend of Zelda: A Link
to the Past and for the first time faced off against and defeated Ganon. I
don’t remember too much about the experience; just that I was really excited to
blow the dust off a game that I held fond memories of, and even more excited
when I finally beat it for the first time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Fast-forward two years later when I
was back in Vermont and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was being
re-released for the newly released Gameboy Advance SP paired with an all new
multiplayer Zelda game Four Swords. Being the cool older brother that I am, I
let my brother convince me that it would be a good idea to get us both Gameboy
Advance SP’s and also a copy each of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
& Four Swords so we could play together. And, always a sucker for my
brother’s happiness and a fan of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past from
way back that is exactly what I did. I can tell you we did play Four Swords but
it’s been so long the only info I can give you is from looking at my game save.
I had three keys, which I believe means I made it to the final stage, but I
can’t remember. I haven’t yet bought a second copy of The Legend of Zelda: A
Link to the Past & Four Swords so I can play through Four Swords with
Jaclyn or take the time to play through <a href="http://zelda.com/fourswordsanniversary/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda Four Swords Anniversary Edition</a> (released as DSIWare last year as part of The Legend of
Zelda 25th anniversary celebration) by myself so I’ll have to save that game
for a later post. But I did sit down, replay and beat The Legend of Zelda: A
Link to the Past, something I didn’t do when I bought the game back in 2002 (for
some reason I stopped at Turtle Rock and I bet that reason is because Turtle
Rock is hard).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TYzd3kJj2o/T3I0okXu3oI/AAAAAAAAAz0/D7Gq_pxugM4/s1600/zelda-turtle-rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TYzd3kJj2o/T3I0okXu3oI/AAAAAAAAAz0/D7Gq_pxugM4/s400/zelda-turtle-rock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
And now we fast-forward ten more
years and find ourselves in the present and thanks to an excellent walkthrough
by the guys over at <a href="http://www.zeldadungeon.net/Zelda03-a-link-to-the-past.php" target="_blank">Zeldadungeon.net</a> I have finally beat the 2002 re-release of
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past on Gameboy Advance. I have to make a
special note that it’s the Gameboy Advance version because there are some
slight changes (look for Syrup and Maple), as well as a new dungeon that you
have access to only after you also beat The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords, so we
all know what that means… I’ll be buying a second copy of The Legend of Zelda:
A Link to the Past & Four Swords before too much time goes by just so I can
play the extra dungeon and really feel like I’ve completed the game.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ySNuL379Eo4/T3I2GqQnnLI/AAAAAAAAAz8/kOcLgQrEjdA/s1600/witch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ySNuL379Eo4/T3I2GqQnnLI/AAAAAAAAAz8/kOcLgQrEjdA/s400/witch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Skill level? I would rank this game
as an intermediate. Honestly, I thought it was going to be a walk in the park
to beat this game. I mean, I already have several Zelda titles under my belt
and I had already beat this game in the past without the help of a guide so
yeah, I was feeling a little confident. I quickly learned maybe a little too
confident and I’d have to use some of that patience I had developed playing the
other games as well as some of my newly acquired skill. Don’t get me wrong,
parts of this game were easy and it felt just like riding a bike; other parts
not so easy if not down right frustrating (Moldrom, you know who you are). I’m
not sure how many hours it took me to make it through The Legend of Zelda: A
Link to the Past because I once again wasn’t playing on the Wii virtual console
but I don’t think it took me much more then the estimated eleven hours to
complete. But thanks to the quest history, I can tell you that I did die a
total of nineteen times, once each in the Castle Dungeon, Eastern Palace, and Mountain
Tower, then five times in Level 1 Dark Palace, six times in Level 2 Swamp
Palace, three times in Level 3 Skull Woods and finally two more times in Level
8 Ganon’s Tower. Dying nineteen times is something I think I could shave off
quite considerably if I was to sit down and play it again, especially some of
those pointless deaths early on in the game (that’s where the over confidence
came in and was just bad gaming) but really I was just replaying the game so I
could knock some of the dust off my memory when I wrote about it and, well,
because although it may not be as good as </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003O6E800/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003O6E800" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=hisdeluofgran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003O6E800" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; cursor: move; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span">,
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is still a classic that as I described
previously holds a firm place in my heart as one of my first early gamer loves.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
***SPOILER ALERT***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-awIQZsiHSX4/T3JBtQLs2lI/AAAAAAAAA0U/WiIvR9NzCM4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-03-27+at+6.38.50+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-awIQZsiHSX4/T3JBtQLs2lI/AAAAAAAAA0U/WiIvR9NzCM4/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-03-27+at+6.38.50+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Okay, and more than anything I
wanted to replay this game because although it wasn’t the first Zelda title I
beat it was the very first time I squared off and defeated Ganon and I wanted
to relive the glory of that defeat. I mean I’ve now beat the original Ganon
(The Legend of Zelda), The Ganondorf Dragmire/King of Evil Ganon (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003O6E800/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003O6E800" target="_blank">Ocarina of Time</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=hisdeluofgran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003O6E800" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; cursor: move; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span">), and the mindless resurrected Ganon (Oracle of Ages), but I wanted to see
if the face off in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was as epic as I
remembered it being back in the day. Post play, I can say it was rewarding and
felt good to battle him in his 16-bit glory, but wasn’t as tough as defeating
him is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003O6E800/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003O6E800" target="_blank">Ocarina of Time</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=hisdeluofgran-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003O6E800" style="border-bottom-style: none !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; cursor: move; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span">. That being said, Turtle Rock and Ganon’s Tower were no
walk in the park; I had to leave both dungeons to refill fairies before taking
on the bosses and still nearly made it out alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trinexx (the boss of Turtle Rock’s battle)
should’ve been as cut and dry as defeating Twinrova in Oracle of Ages, using
the same fire vs. ice technique, but for some reason I struggled. And having to
face off against an assault of mini-bosses who are really bosses from previous
levels such as The Armos Knights, Lanmoles, and good old Moldrom in Ganon’s
Tower as well as an all out battle with the dark wizard Agahnim before squaring
off against Ganon himself left me all but winded. But when the time came to
finally take down Ganon, the battle itself left a little to be desired. His
Trident throws were easily avoidable although his circle of firebats did take a
toll on my life after I continuously charged through them. Really, if I
would’ve been patient and taken my time I think I could’ve navigated the battle
with little damage, but even with blindly charging in I managed to only use one
fairy and ironically just like my battle with Agahnim I had to use it right
before I delivered my death blow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3RgEEbROR68/T3Ir7wj9EwI/AAAAAAAAAzs/Plict_iW__4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-03-19+at+12.19.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3RgEEbROR68/T3Ir7wj9EwI/AAAAAAAAAzs/Plict_iW__4/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-03-19+at+12.19.35+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
***SPOILERS END*** <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">With Ganon defeated, I can once
again retire The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past with a smile on my face.
This time it didn’t have the same shock and awe in beating the game, but
playing through it did offer some nostalgia of a simpler time when games could
be defeated in an afternoon but often wouldn’t be. And when multiplayer still
meant you were in the same room, let alone the same house, town, state or
continent. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past was and always will be one
of my first game loves, and you never forget a first, but with it now defeated
a second time it’s time to move on to something new. It’s time to make my
brother happy yet again; it’s time to actually play </span><a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/wind/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker</a><span class="Apple-style-span">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J3NjF6f3xMM/Tua9yRhE_YI/AAAAAAAAAa4/R93nry-XgrY/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-13+at+10.31.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J3NjF6f3xMM/Tua9yRhE_YI/AAAAAAAAAa4/R93nry-XgrY/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-13+at+10.31.36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-67752124664864572392012-03-26T18:14:00.000-07:002012-03-27T13:46:56.272-07:00The Breakfast Club<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7nID523s0vM/T3EKoQwwpqI/AAAAAAAAAys/IBNDnIBLvaA/s1600/the-breakfast-club-1985-hughes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7nID523s0vM/T3EKoQwwpqI/AAAAAAAAAys/IBNDnIBLvaA/s400/the-breakfast-club-1985-hughes.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I didn’t know how I felt about the
selection of this week’s <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> movie at <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/" target="_blank">Essex Cinemas</a>. I mean, I
am a fan of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IWYOF4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003IWYOF4" target="_blank">The Breakfast Club</a></span> as well as John Hughes and his other movies like <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AEF6BS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001AEF6BS" target="_blank">Sixteen Candles</a></span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AEF6C2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001AEF6C2" target="_blank">Weird Science</a></span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S86J1C/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001S86J1C" target="_blank">Ferris Bueller's Day Off</a></span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FZETIO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FZETIO" target="_blank">Pretty in Pink</a></span> which
helped shape my formative years. But out of all of them I didn’t know if <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IWYOF4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003IWYOF4" target="_blank">The Breakfast Club</a></span> would be my first choice. I hemmed and hawed all day on Thursday
not knowing if I was going to play hooky on this detention themed classic (it
didn’t help that my partner in crime wouldn’t be attending because of an exam)
and I don’t think it was until I received the following text that I made up my
mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
“Don’t you… Forget about me”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
How could I have even considered
missing a movie that played such an important part in my life? I mean, I still
have the soundtrack on vinyl (kids, this was the format before tape cassettes,
er compact discs… Mp3s?). I’m glad I got the extra push and didn’t miss this
classic on the big screen. In my mind I didn’t remember it being as funny as it
really is, and there is nothing like seeing a comedy when the whole audience is
laughing out loud at the jokes. It was a great time and my friend Jenn even managed
to win the top prize as part of the <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> raffle: free <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/theatrerealextreme.php" target="_blank">T-Rex</a>
tickets and a copy of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IWYOF4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003IWYOF4" target="_blank">The Breakfast Club 25th Anniversary Blu-ray</a></span>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M6lRQZmKT90/T3ELhCZKlMI/AAAAAAAAAy0/5IwDtu3XU1g/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M6lRQZmKT90/T3ELhCZKlMI/AAAAAAAAAy0/5IwDtu3XU1g/s400/photo-1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenn with her winnings </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Following the theme of this weeks </span><a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> and the aforementioned raffle, Mary Cenci of <a href="http://star929.com/pages/12308995.php" target="_blank">Star 92.9</a>’s
morning show <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IWYOF4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003IWYOF4" target="_blank">The Breakfast Club</a></span> asked us (the audience) a question: who were we
in high school in relation to tonight’s feature? How did we identify ourselves? Were we a
brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, or a criminal? It was funny
watching a different number of hands raise for each category, and I was surprised
that not a lot of people identified with high school criminal John Bender. I
can understand the girls seeing themselves as more of a princess or a basket
case, but really guys? In high school you really identified more with Andrew
Clark or Brian Johnson? I can’t say it any better than Jay (Jason Mewes) who put it so
eloquently in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011UF792/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0011UF792" target="_blank">Dogma</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> referring to the fictional town of Shermer,
Illinois: “all the honeys are top-shelf but all the dudes are pussies. Except
Judd Nelson, he was fuckin’ harsh.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Now you might be saying to
yourself, a criminal? Really? Well, I can say that the quote unquote best years
of our lives for me were, well, interesting. I never found myself in any real
trouble. In other words, I don’t have a criminal record but I guess that’s
because I was fortunate enough to use up my nine lives early. I wasn’t some
kind of outrageous troublemaker, but then again I’m not sure if my teachers
and/or parents would agree to that. There are plenty of incriminating stories I
could tell to back up my claim and plenty of hairy situations that I found
myself in as a teenager trying to make it in this crazy world, but </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IWYOF4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003IWYOF4" target="_blank">The Breakfast Club</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> is after all a comedy so let’s keep it light. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYwhZtyS7xY/T3EL2GB4sqI/AAAAAAAAAy8/-AZJEjf7Uok/s1600/breakfast_club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYwhZtyS7xY/T3EL2GB4sqI/AAAAAAAAAy8/-AZJEjf7Uok/s400/breakfast_club.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Detention on a Saturday is nothing
that I ever had to deal with during my stay in the lovely institution known as
High School. In fact, we didn’t really have a detention, per se. South
Burlington, much like the fictional Shermer, was/is a small town that prides
itself in its forward thinking. That’s why in elementary school we didn’t get
A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s or F’s we got “Pink Hearts, Orange Stars, Yellow Moons,
Green Clovers, Blue Diamonds, Purple Horseshoes and Red Balloons.” Okay, that
was a little sarcastic, but the parents and former students of the South
Burlington School system will know what I’m talking about (I’m actually curious
if anyone else from different areas of the state/country/world had this grading
system, please feel free to write me & let me know). As I was saying, we
didn’t have detention, we had the Planning Room; this is where you’d go when
you skipped class or committed any other minor act that wouldn’t result in a
suspension and wrote a plan of attack on how you wouldn’t display that same
behavior again. Sounds solid enough, right? I mean, say you have a student that
is blowing off classes: what’s more fitting of a punishment than to take them
out of even more classes to write a plan about missing class…Needless to say, I
wrote several of these plans (I wonder if they get shredded or if somewhere out
there in my “permanent record” these plans of action still exists?) but the one
that sticks out in my mind the most is the plan I wrote when I was caught
smoking in an unsupervised area. And by smoking, I mean cigarettes, a dirty
little habit I picked up when I was a member of the Soccer Team (kinda ironic I
picked up all of my habits from the “good kids” that I was a bad influence on,
but that is a whole other story). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
So as this story goes, one faithful
day during our lunch period, I ducked out of school with a couple of my friends
and we were followed (unbeknownst to us) by our school’s <a href="http://www.dare.com/home/default.asp" target="_blank">D.A.R.E</a> (Drug Abuse
Resistance Education) officer, who watched us walk just off of school grounds
and light up our cigarettes, proceeded to watched us smoke said cancer sticks,
and then finally busted us as we walked back towards the high school. For this
infringement, the three of us landed in, you guessed it, the planning room. As
I previously mentioned, this was during my lunch period so for this particular
infraction I wasn’t skipping a class, I just happened to be somewhere other
than the lunchroom. But now it was plan-writing time, and believe it or not I
didn’t much feel like writing a plan; I felt more like enjoying my delicious
cafeteria lunch and now I wasn’t going to have a chance to eat. At this point
you might be thinking, “you did the crime, now do the time.” I guess that would
be the difference between you and me and why you didn’t/or wouldn’t have raise/raised
your hand to identify yourself as a John Bender. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
At this point in my life, I didn’t
really respect or understand all of the rules being placed on me, especially
when they kept me from sustenance and my friends. All I knew was I was hungry
and with every second that ticked by I was missing my lunch. So instead of writing
a plan of action on being in an unsupervised area, I used my time to look up
the definition of supervised, and wrote out a different sort of plan. One that
explained that I couldn’t possibly be charged with the crime that they said I
committed because at no time was I not being supervised by a faculty member of
South Burlington High School. I turned in my plan and requested to take my
leave and join my friends at lunch. Surprisingly my plan was rejected and I was
told to sit back down and write a new one. I did, but this time I looked up the
Geneva Convention and stated that it was unlawful for them to deny me, a
prisoner of war, the basic necessities of food and medical attention (I failed
to mention I had skinned my knee and several times had asked for permission to
go to the nurses office). This was the breaking point and I was then moved from
the planning room to the principal’s office, who happened to be in his office
with another student so I had to wait for my day in court with the secretary.
Now, at this point you might be saying, ”Dude, how far did you really want to
push it? I mean, you mess with the bull you get the horns.” True… and as a
reasonable person this probably would’ve been a good time to hang it up and take
my punishment without further exacerbating things. But I was a teenager and
that just wasn’t going to happen. So instead I did the next logical thing; I handcuffed
myself to the secretary’s desk in protest of the false charges and demanded my immediate
release and the release of my friends. As I type these words years later and
try to put myself back in that mindset, I fear I cannot. It seems like these
are not things that I did but more like I’m watching a movie of someone else’s
life. But this was and is my life, I was and am the protagonist, this story is
true and so is the outcome. I managed to clog up the system so much and enrage
our principal in the process of doing so to the point that he just didn’t want
to deal with me anymore so he let us all go, more or less throwing me out of
his office (it took a little more on my part to finally lock down the
Bender/Vernon showdown). To my knowledge, my parents were never called over
this incident (but I would like to take the time now to apologize to them) and
it went down as one of the few victories for the “good guys.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
So why am I sharing all this? Is
this my version of a #Humblebrag (#Hashtaggingoutsideoftwitter.) No, I’m
sharing this to answer the question that was posed. And also because there is
an exchange between Bender and Claire that I never really focused on during my
previous viewings of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IWYOF4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003IWYOF4" target="_blank">The Breakfast Club</a></span> that really made me think this time. I
entered the theater already knowing that I would be writing this blog and
besides focusing on audience enjoyment (which was amazing) I knew I would be
trying to explain just how <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IWYOF4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003IWYOF4" target="_blank">The Breakfast Club</a></span> influenced my life. The exchange
went like this (the following was taken from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088847/quotes" target="_blank">IMDB.com</a>) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">Claire
Standish</span>: You know why guys like you knock everything? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">John Bender</span>:
Oh, this should be stunning. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">Claire
Standish</span>: It's because you're afraid. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">John Bender</span>:
Oh God, you richies are so smart, that's exactly why I'm not heavy into
activities. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">Claire
Standish</span>: You're a big coward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">Claire
Standish</span>: See, you're afraid that they won't take you, you don't
belong, so you have to just dump all over it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-decoration: none;">John Bender</span>:
Well, it wouldn't have anything to do with you activities people being
assholes, now would it?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pa8OtS0r4NA/T3EMfbTWYkI/AAAAAAAAAzE/8-BVtRcSIlY/s1600/breakfast_club+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pa8OtS0r4NA/T3EMfbTWYkI/AAAAAAAAAzE/8-BVtRcSIlY/s400/breakfast_club+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Exchanges like this are exactly why
John Hughes’ movies have stood the test of time; he understood just how hard it
is being at that middle stage in your life where you’re not quite an adult but
you are already so far from being a kid, those formative teenage years. And I
can admit that part of my fear as a teenager was that I would be Brian Johnson.
I wasn’t a dumb kid who couldn’t do his work, that’s not what made me a
criminal; I was a smart kid that didn’t try (about now is where my Mom would boast
how I talked myself into an Honors English class that my grades didn’t support).
I was also Andrew Clark - I’d played sports throughout my elementary school
years but it wasn’t until middle school that I found a sport I really excelled
at: Lacrosse (my Dad would argue that I was always a solid hitter in baseball,
but my real love was Lacrosse). It was the first sport where I felt my natural
ability and honed my skills by attending Lacrosse camps and playing it indoors
during the winter (if you’re not from Vermont, it’s usually winter here 8
months out of the year). I even had some pretty good schools interested in me
during my freshmen year of high school. But just like my grades, I gave up on
Lacrosse too (I don’t really believe in regret but if I did, that would be my
biggest from High School). So was Claire right, did I act like a criminal
because I was too scared to be anything else? Or was Bender right, did I just
not care because I didn’t want to be associated with the people who were the
movers and shakers, the “assholes”? This is the hardest question to answer as I
look back, but I guess it would have to be a little of both. I honestly hope
I’ll be able to share my own mistakes with my future children someday as a
cautionary tale, and as funny as my antics might’ve been they won’t repeat
them. At the same time I understand that everyone has to walk his or her own
path. So to really answer Mary’s question, yes, I was a criminal in High
School, I can’t change that and even if I could I’m not sure that I’d want to.
That same stubbornness and determination that I showed in the planning room is
what has helped me make it through basic training, graduate at the top of my
class in my masters program, and even write this blog on a weekly basis. But
there is also the underlying truth that Hughes already knew; I was also a
brain, an athlete, a basket case, and yes, I’m sure even in some cases a princess.
Hughes knew that even though we may use our perceived differences to define
ourselves as well as to define each other, underneath all the labels we’re all
a lot more alike then we’d like to admit. At thirty-one I can honestly say I’m not as
afraid to be Brian Johnson as I was at sixteen, but I can still relate to those
fears of being considered different because maybe the things you enjoy are
different than the things those around you enjoy. Luckily the world around us
isn’t as small as it was when I was a teenager and thanks to the Internet (yes
the very thing allowing you to read this blog) we can reach out and find others
with the very same interests, like, say, retro videogames and movies. In
closing, I would like to say:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Dear Mrs. Cenci, we accept the fact
that we willingly sacrificed a whole Thursday night watching </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IWYOF4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003IWYOF4" target="_blank">The Breakfast Club</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> and it was a lot of fun, and what we had was fun. But we think you're crazy to
make us raise our hands to tell you who we think we are. You see us as you want
to see us... In the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But
what we found out is that each one of us is a brain... and an athlete… and a
basket case… …a princess… …and a criminal… Does that answer your question?
Sincerely yours, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IWYOF4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003IWYOF4" target="_blank">The Breakfast Club</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0CbBYezRtcI/T3ESz9Yhv3I/AAAAAAAAAzM/thoiOD0S5qk/s1600/Travis+and+Ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0CbBYezRtcI/T3ESz9Yhv3I/AAAAAAAAAzM/thoiOD0S5qk/s400/Travis+and+Ed.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Travis and Friend in High School. Travis Pictured<br />
on Right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
…Of course I am only kidding and
I’d like to give a special thanks to Mary Cenci and the <a href="http://star929.com/pages/12308995.php" target="_blank">Star 92.9</a> crew (who I
have failed to mention in my previous blogs) for helping <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/" target="_blank">Essex Cinemas</a> keep the <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> going. <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> are a really cool thing and I
hope that everyone has a chance to check out one or more of their favorite
flicks like I have. Before I go, do you want me to reveal the next <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> movie playing? “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K7VHPA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000K7VHPA" target="_blank">As you wish</a>.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VaSS2OmuFsM/Tr0yfcrtkxI/AAAAAAAAAV8/QnRU_v3Zm90/s1600/throwbackthursdays800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VaSS2OmuFsM/Tr0yfcrtkxI/AAAAAAAAAV8/QnRU_v3Zm90/s400/throwbackthursdays800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-78679890552529047332012-03-19T16:42:00.001-07:002012-03-25T06:35:19.296-07:00The Godfather<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfFobXahgCI/T2e9e7R6uwI/AAAAAAAAAxY/tZtoOySAHKs/s1600/the-godfather-movie-poster-1020243893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfFobXahgCI/T2e9e7R6uwI/AAAAAAAAAxY/tZtoOySAHKs/s400/the-godfather-movie-poster-1020243893.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
“It's a Sicilian message. It means
Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes." Although not a true <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a>,
last Thursday night (thanks to <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/" target="_blank">Essex Cinemas</a>) we were lucky enough to get
access to the newly remastered 40th anniversary edition of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NTPDSW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NTPDSW" target="_blank">The Godfather</a></span>. I
grew up hearing about <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NTPDSW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NTPDSW" target="_blank">The Godfather</a></span>, but I never got to experience the film
until I was almost out of high school. While working at Costco, The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/6302610702/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=6302610702" target="_blank">The Godfather Collection</a> </span>was released as a box set on (gasp) VHS and I picked myself up a copy
and for the first time watched the rise and fall of Michael Corleone. From war
hero to hit man to the Don of the Corleone family, Michaels struggle has interested
me since the very first time I popped the VHS in and adjusted the tracking and
now, almost fifteen years later, I finally got to see <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NTPDSW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NTPDSW" target="_blank">The Godfather</a></span> on the big
screen. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lnAcf7NAPMc/T2e_MHF9mxI/AAAAAAAAAyI/E4sBxYFcq4c/s1600/lucabrasi.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lnAcf7NAPMc/T2e_MHF9mxI/AAAAAAAAAyI/E4sBxYFcq4c/s400/lucabrasi.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9NoLG1BLUZA/T2e9uLkE1kI/AAAAAAAAAxg/4h3Fxj5PRXQ/s1600/GdfthrColl_Still_H3_L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9NoLG1BLUZA/T2e9uLkE1kI/AAAAAAAAAxg/4h3Fxj5PRXQ/s400/GdfthrColl_Still_H3_L.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursdays</a> have become a
staple amongst my core group of hardcore film nerd friends and, as I stated
before, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NTPDSW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NTPDSW" target="_blank">The Godfather</a></span> isn’t truly a <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> because it’s a 40th
anniversary release, but for the sake of argument it is a throwback movie and
we did watch it on a Thursday so let’s just call a spade a spade. Also, The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00164GDD2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00164GDD2" target="_blank">Ghostbusters</a></span> re-release only played in 500 theaters nationwide last Halloween
and kicked off <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursdays</a> at </span><a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/" target="_blank">Essex Cinemas</a><span class="Apple-style-span">, so even though it really
wasn’t a <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> it birthed the rest and, well, I think you can see
where I’m going now. So anyway, my friends and I have made every movie so far
(I tried to duck unsuccessfully out of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AQO446/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001AQO446" target="_blank">The Blues Brothers</a></span> but that’s another
story) and in keeping with that tradition as soon as <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/03/back-to-future.html" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a> was
over I purchased tickets to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NTPDSW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NTPDSW" target="_blank">The Godfather</a></span>. I was excited to see it on the big
screen. I mean, I never had before and even more exciting was my wife hadn’t
seen it period, so her first exposure to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NTPDSW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NTPDSW" target="_blank">The Godfather</a></span> would be on the big
screen - not a bad way to pop your cinema cherry. Little did I know something
darker than Gordon Willis’ Cinematography was afoot; one of the members of our
group didn’t like <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NTPDSW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NTPDSW" target="_blank">The Godfather</a></span>. In fact, he was so against the movie that he
was going to boycott the film and try to get us to do the same. I could try and
explain his side of the argument, but his position (besides just not liking the
film) was never properly explained to me, so instead please check out the
following clip from the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HT3P6U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000HT3P6U" target="_blank">Family Guy</a> (Season 4, Episode 27 Untitled Griffin Family History)</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/eRsemHatx-o?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Unfortunately, his position did not
change. He didn’t watch <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NTPDSW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NTPDSW" target="_blank">The Godfather</a></span>, but he did head to <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/clubtaketwo.php" target="_blank">Club Take 2</a> and have
the special Lasagna dinner that was prepared to go along with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NTPDSW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NTPDSW" target="_blank">The Godfather</a></span>.
And as much as I tried to change his mind, he wouldn’t budge which made me
rethink my own position. I mean, why do I like <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NTPDSW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NTPDSW" target="_blank">The Godfather</a></span>? Maybe I was
wrong, maybe the movie isn’t as great as I remembered… or was it? When the
lights dimmed and the movie began I could feel myself trying my hardest to look
at the film with a critical eye; did the wedding scene drag on for too long? No,
it established the family and how the characters interacted. It also got some
exposition out of the way without hitting you over the head with it. Were all the character set-ups necessary?
Once again, yes, every character you learned even just a little bit about
played out beautifully in the long run. Want an example? Sonny plays fast and
loose from the very beginning, hooking up with a bridesmaid, smashing a camera
of an F.B.I photographer (leaving him money in the wake) and also talks out of
turn. But hang–on…before I finish this thought, let me just throw up a…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
***SPOILER ALERT***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LqsjGAo_aww/T2e_Ec9PseI/AAAAAAAAAyA/l5vNVgAyNaM/s1600/sonny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LqsjGAo_aww/T2e_Ec9PseI/AAAAAAAAAyA/l5vNVgAyNaM/s400/sonny.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">It feels weird saying that about a
film that came out before I was born, but at the same time I don’t want to ruin
a movie that you maybe haven’t seen yet, so please stop reading if you haven’t
seen </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NTPDSW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NTPDSW" target="_blank">The Godfather</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">. Anyway, Sonny’s temper is ultimately what gets him killed,
the very same temper that causes him to smash the camera at his sisters wedding
gets him ambushed later on as he once again flies off the handle upon finding
out his sisters’ husband beat her up again. There’s a set-up and then a payoff
and it works the same for the other characters as well. Coppola and Puzo
carefully crafted each character arc and that makes the overall story much more
interesting and keeps the audience engaged even at the parts that might seem a
little slower. The Sicilian Sequence may feel a little long, but because of it
you learn a little bit more about Michael as he courts the beautiful Apollonia (I
guess the other zip code rules apply). And later on you find out there is no
honor amongst thieves when Favrizio who is supposed to be Michaels body guard
tries to have him killed, but ends up killing Apollonia instead. Each scene
gives you just a little more insight into the world that Coppola and Puzo
created until the movies final climax and my personal favorite scene: the
baptism. The juxtaposition of Michael becoming the Godfather of his sister’s
baby while at the same time becoming a true Don is amazing. I love how Michael
renounces Satan while at the same time is having the most horrendous acts
committed in his name. The sequence is stunning and has to be one of the best
cinematic montages that comes to mind. As far as Peter Griffin stating that the
movie insists upon itself… Well, if you mean weaves a tragic story about a
family engrossed in criminal activity and the rise and fall of Michael Corleone
then yes, it does, and it’s very insisting. Insisting that you care, that you
want to see Michael get revenge on those who have wronged him and his family.
How satisfying was it to see Michael shoot Capt. McClusky in the face after
being roughed up by him earlier? Is that an eye for an eye? No, but McClusky
was a dirty cop and he did get what was coming to him; same as Sollozzo who
tried to have Vito Corleone killed. It’s only later once Michael has Moe Greene
killed that you see Michael has turned a corner. You don’t mess with the
family, and it’s no longer about revenge as it is about growth. What was Moe
Greene’s crime? Not letting Michael buy out his share of the Casino. It
probably also didn’t help that he slapped around Fredo, too. Either way,
Michael made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGF8FE2-q2s/T2e-GL9uEnI/AAAAAAAAAxo/0Xlf2-Bl0Go/s1600/foo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gGF8FE2-q2s/T2e-GL9uEnI/AAAAAAAAAxo/0Xlf2-Bl0Go/s400/foo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
***SPOILERS END***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jCgZr6vMLJ8/T2e-Ot3z_OI/AAAAAAAAAxw/gtPods0mxh0/s1600/tgf-173_528_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jCgZr6vMLJ8/T2e-Ot3z_OI/AAAAAAAAAxw/gtPods0mxh0/s400/tgf-173_528_poster.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">When the lights came back on in the
theater, I couldn’t help but think “Man, when am I going to have the time to
watch </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NTPDSW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NTPDSW" target="_blank">The Godfather Part II</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">?” After all these years, I was still a fan and
enjoyed the story as much as I did all those years back watching my VHS copy.
As for my wife, she enjoyed the movie too. I did have a text message waiting
for me the moment I turned my phone back on. The message? “It insists upon
itself.” Some things will never change, but I guess that’s what is so great
about movies: everyone’s experience is different and half the fun is debating
films once they’re over. I can’t wait until the next </span><a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> to see
where the chips fall. Until then, “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4AC-KMRZtDA/T2e-U9YSmCI/AAAAAAAAAx4/jenGm0myNBc/s1600/TheGodfather.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4AC-KMRZtDA/T2e-U9YSmCI/AAAAAAAAAx4/jenGm0myNBc/s400/TheGodfather.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-51718496828080797592012-03-09T14:06:00.000-08:002012-03-09T15:22:14.936-08:00Back to the Future<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3gbdoRzfjKc/T1plJ6KilhI/AAAAAAAAAvw/RA9Bch6WF_w/s1600/back-to-the-future.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3gbdoRzfjKc/T1plJ6KilhI/AAAAAAAAAvw/RA9Bch6WF_w/s400/back-to-the-future.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;">“Wait a minute, Doc. Ah... Are you
telling me that you built a time machine... out of a DeLorean?” That’s right,
last night’s <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> was the 1985 classic </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;">. And
thanks to <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/" target="_blank">Essex Cinemas</a>, I’ve now finally had the pleasure of seeing </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;">on the big screen for the very first time. So many years have gone
by since these movies first entered my life (we’re almost in the once futuristic
world of 2015) and I have to say I was racking my brain trying to crack this
story. How do I talk about a movie that spawned two sequels and an animated
series, as well as spanned my entire childhood or maybe even longer, and hope
to do it any kind of justice? I guess the only thing I can do is start at the
only place that makes any sense: the beginning.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNstA5snf1o/T1poenAufHI/AAAAAAAAAwY/VLY5ycWbgUY/s1600/back-to-the-future-delorean.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNstA5snf1o/T1poenAufHI/AAAAAAAAAwY/VLY5ycWbgUY/s400/back-to-the-future-delorean.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Much like <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/01/goonies.html" target="_blank">The Goonies</a>, the first
time I watched </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span">had to do with my father and a VHS tape. Do
you remember the time before digital streaming and DVR? Where it seemed like
everyone had a large collection of long running VHS tapes that had several
different movies on them? I do, that’s how I was able to watch some of the
classics from my childhood, such as the previously mentioned </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QFW7UA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000QFW7UA" target="_blank">The Goonies</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">, as
well as other cinema gems like </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO">Back to the Future</a>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PMLFRA/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000PMLFRA" target="_blank">Return of the Jedi</a>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005PJ6N/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00005PJ6N" target="_blank">Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure</a>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001I562I/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0001I562I" target="_blank">Flight of the Navigator</a>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Z7FM68/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002Z7FM68" target="_blank">The NeverEnding Story</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00007AJGH/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00007AJGH" target="_blank">Who Framed Roger Rabbit</a>, </span><span class="Apple-style-span">and the list goes on and on. If it wasn’t for a
pretty hip Dad and VHS player, I might’ve missed out on a lot of the movies of
my youth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_aUPFyg50I/T1poxn5-b7I/AAAAAAAAAwg/OWqvlJdIXlc/s1600/marty-mcfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8_aUPFyg50I/T1poxn5-b7I/AAAAAAAAAwg/OWqvlJdIXlc/s400/marty-mcfly.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">I don’t remember going to the
movies (as in the theater) a lot as a really young guy. Matter o’ fact, my
first real movie theater memory might be when my Mom brought me to see Disney’s
the Little Mermaid, but thanks to TV recorded VHS tapes and Mom & Pop video
rental stores, I never really missed out. I remember going to one of these
video rental places and seeing the large cardboard standup of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> with Michael J. Fox standing next to the DeLorean staring at his watch
long before I ever remember actually seeing the movie. I don’t think it was until years later that I
finally saw </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">(I could be wrong) but I don’t really remember
watching it until I had moved back to South Burlington (around 1988) and met
one of my best friends, Mark (more on how he fits into </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">…in
the future).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRimQi9P0nA/T1ppeP7QfPI/AAAAAAAAAwo/tBwhwRo5OyA/s1600/btf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRimQi9P0nA/T1ppeP7QfPI/AAAAAAAAAwo/tBwhwRo5OyA/s400/btf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span> was a movie that was
clearly over my head when I was a kid. I remember looking up to Marty McFly - how
could I not? He played guitar and he skateboarded (by hanging onto cars, no
less). Seriously, between </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> and Gleaming the Cube, I’m lucky that
as an over-adventurous youth I didn’t get killed trying to copy that same
behavior (man, if only real life was more like the movies). But coolest of all,
Marty drove a time-machine made out of a super stylish DeLorean (by a show of
hands, who doesn’t still want one?). The part that I was missing as a kid
though was the way writer/director Robert Zemeckis beautifully crafted the
storyline together, dropping hints of exposition throughout the opening scenes
and giving us (the audience) all the information we needed to follow Marty and
Doc Brown on their adventure through time. To be fair, the movie was released
when I was five and I’m sure a lot of things went over my head at that age (and
still do now). Maybe that’s why the original movie, although leaving an
impression, didn’t leave as large of one as the sequel. I might’ve just been
too young for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> when it was first released, but that meant by
the time </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future II</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">came out I was just old enough to be completely
blown away.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0QKvvIBAoCI/T1plWkE5YDI/AAAAAAAAAv4/tX6dr0fBW7s/s1600/pizza-hut-solar-shades.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0QKvvIBAoCI/T1plWkE5YDI/AAAAAAAAAv4/tX6dr0fBW7s/s400/pizza-hut-solar-shades.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I would wear the pair pictured upper left-hand corner, <br />
Mark would wear the pair on the lower left</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Although I don’t remember what
format I first saw <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future II</a></span> in (Mom, Dad a little help here) I do clearly
remember the Solar Shades Pizza Hut movie tie-in. Mark (told you his mention would make sense) had several different
pairs of the quasi-futuristic glasses. I don’t think he had the four different
versions, but I know he had a couple pairs each of a few of them (the ones he
would let me wear are pictured in the upper left-hand corner and the ones he
wore are pictured in the lower left). Like its predecessor <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future II</a></span> was awe-inspiring. Instead of being thrown into the past,
this time Marty found himself cashing in on the promise Zemeckis made at the
end of the first movie and traveling into the future. Hill Valley in 2015
offered a cool glimpse into our own possible future. Yes, we might not have Jaws
19 playing in hologram, but we do have a flood of 3D movies, which are close.
And who in 1989 would’ve predicted that they’d stop making sequels and just
remake everything for a younger audience? So yes, it’s true we might never see
Jaws 19, but there’s a really good chance we’ll see a 3D Jaws remake by 2015. But
it wasn’t the promise of holographic movies that excited me about the future
and it wasn’t even the self-lacing <a href="http://youtu.be/3yiSdjwi_bg" target="_blank">Nike Air MAGS</a>. No, Zemeckis’ future drove me
crazy for one reason and one reason alone… The Hoverboard. I clearly remember
sitting on the swings and talking for what seemed like days with Mark and my
other friends about how much we couldn’t wait for the future to happen and how
we were all going to own Hoverboards as soon as they were released.
Unfortunately, twenty-three years later the closest we’ve come to having
Hoverboards is the movie prop replica from <a href="http://www.mattycollector.com/store/matty/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.247060500" target="_blank">Mattel</a>. But hey, it’s one step
closer to the real thing and they still have three years to perfect it, right? In
the following two years, the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future Trilogy</a></span> would be complete and
we would also see the addition of a Back to the Future Cartoon on the CBS
Saturday Morning lineup. Although I was a fan of the third movie, at the time
it didn’t hold a candle to the second one. I didn’t want to be a cowboy, I just
wanted my hoverboard, and really: was that too much to ask (fingers crossed for
2015)? As for the cartoon, it honestly was kind of forgettable. More than
watching it, I remember having one or two of the McDonald’s Happy Meal toys and
fighting with my brother over who got to play with Einstein in the time travel
train.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uOMYjLqa4iE/T1pmH4L7gTI/AAAAAAAAAwA/-v_f7M5MQvc/s1600/370_34733002555_505917555_924427_6190_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uOMYjLqa4iE/T1pmH4L7gTI/AAAAAAAAAwA/-v_f7M5MQvc/s400/370_34733002555_505917555_924427_6190_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crew with Monster Squad Director Fred Dekker at Monster Mania '07</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Fast forward to 2007 and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span> was once again playing a role in my life, but this time in a most
peculiar way. My friend Covino and I were discussing <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span> actor
Crispin Glover (George McFly) and his experimental film <a href="http://www.crispinglover.com/whatisit.htm" target="_blank">What is it?</a> which
neither of us had seen, but from the trailer alone knew we had to. A quick
Internet search later and we discovered that Glover was bringing his film to
Cherry Hill New Jersey for <a href="http://www.monstermania.net/" target="_blank">Monster Mania</a> 7 and not only would we get to see him
present his film but they were also hosting a reunion of one of our other
favorite childhood movies, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NPY7FO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002NPY7FO" target="_blank">The Monster Squad</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">. Always a fan of killing two birds
with one stone, we headed off to <a href="http://www.monstermania.net/" target="_blank">Monster Mania</a> to see </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NPY7FO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002NPY7FO" target="_blank">The Monster Squad</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> on a big
screen as well as to see Crispin Glover and What is it?. This was my first
opportunity to hear Mr. Glover speak and, like me, other fans of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span> were very curious about his role as George McFly (actually, if you ever
see </span><a href="http://www.crispinglover.com/whatisit.htm" target="_blank">What is it?</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> you’ll see there is a slight </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> reference, but
I won’t spoil it). And there at </span><a href="http://www.monstermania.net/" target="_blank">Monster Mania</a><span class="Apple-style-span"> was the first time I heard about the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future/Back to the Future II</a> </span>controversy. According to Glover, when
the producers of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span> were looking to shoot the sequel, they
approached him about replaying his role. Glover was interested, but they
couldn’t come to an agreement over the amount to pay him, offering him much
less than he felt he deserved for the role. After Glover walked away from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future II</a></span>, the producers then hired a different actor to play George
McFly, but not as himself; as Crispin Glover playing George McFly. This new
actor, wearing prosthetic make-up and a mix of archival footage from the first
movie, was used to disguise the fact that Glover was no longer in the sequel.
When Glover found out, he sued producers and ultimately won the case changing
the way an actors likeness can be used in movies today. It was nice to hear
Glover say though that he and Robert Zemeckis still have a good relationship
and announced he had a role in the Zemeckis movie </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AII4RM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001AII4RM" target="_blank">Beowulf</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span">, which was released
that same year. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fj4hMi6eflk/T1pmd4qSMPI/AAAAAAAAAwI/g7kIi9PpI7k/s1600/Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fj4hMi6eflk/T1pmd4qSMPI/AAAAAAAAAwI/g7kIi9PpI7k/s400/Back.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Left to Right: Travis J. Kehoe & Marty McFly </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Which brings us back to the present
day and the first time I got to watch </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> on the big screen. With
all of my previous exposure to the film, I never had a chance to experience it
the way it was meant to be experienced. I can tell you that from the opening
scene where Marty plugs his electric guitar into Doc Brown’s oversized amp and
the slowly building static sound drew me to the very edge of my seat in nervous
anticipation; I was hooked. Much like Marty was launched across the room when
he first strums his guitar, I was ready to be rocketed from my chair by the
wall of sound that is the <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/theatrerealextreme.php" target="_blank">T-Rex</a> theaters surround sound. It was awesome and I,
along with another 399 of my closet friends (that’s right, sold out show), was
transfixed. It was so cool to hear the thunderous applause when Marty (on his
makeshift skateboard) outruns Biff in his ‘46 Ford Super De Luxe, unwittingly sending him
and crew crashing into a nearby manure truck (a theme that is later repeated
across the sequels). Later on, when George McFly finally stands up to Biff, the
audience exploded in appreciation again. You just can’t experience this feeling
watching the movie alone at your house or even with a group of friends; you
have to be at the movies to really feel the excitement. And even though </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> is now twenty-seven years old, I think visually it still held-up,
although there were some special effects that high definition was not so kind
to. For example, most of the aging make-up became a lot more noticeable when
held up to a HD lens; it was not hard to notice where the real skin stopped and
the fake latex wrinkles started. The other scene that stands out was when Marty
is starting to disappear and he holds his hand in front of his face, clearly a
blue screen trick that didn’t enhance with the transfer. That being said, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> was still a great <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> movie and if anything made
me wish I could immediately watch the sequels again, something that I might
just have to go and do right now.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmbQoaoQoA0/T1ppnEB3xsI/AAAAAAAAAww/rjY1NnCwoQA/s1600/back-to-the-future+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="343" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmbQoaoQoA0/T1ppnEB3xsI/AAAAAAAAAww/rjY1NnCwoQA/s400/back-to-the-future+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">Although it’s been more years than
I like to admit since I first popped my television recorded VHS version of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> into my VHS player, I have to say it’s a movie, no, more than
that a trilogy, that has really stood the test of time. Maybe </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F4RHB6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000F4RHB6" target="_blank">Huey Lewis</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">said
it best with “that’s the power of love” because talking about the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00198X0UO/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00198X0UO" target="_blank">Back to the Future</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> movies he would be right. I loved watching these movies growing up and
the packed theater last night was proof that I wasn’t alone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GwStfR9oU8M/T1pmmKsO4-I/AAAAAAAAAwQ/tViw4Rnizoo/s1600/throwbackthursdays800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GwStfR9oU8M/T1pmmKsO4-I/AAAAAAAAAwQ/tViw4Rnizoo/s400/throwbackthursdays800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-8157207666648004182012-03-05T16:40:00.000-08:002012-03-07T16:45:21.696-08:00The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nSw-Yt_rreo/T1VFyBRlpTI/AAAAAAAAAuw/VPTdFATn3hc/s1600/260px-Oracleofages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nSw-Yt_rreo/T1VFyBRlpTI/AAAAAAAAAuw/VPTdFATn3hc/s320/260px-Oracleofages.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
After defeating Onox, the General
of Darkness in <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons</a>, I learned that my quest
was just beginning and that Onox was a mere pawn in a larger plan crafted by
the witches Kotake and Koume, collectively known as Twinrova (remember them
from <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/01/legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-3ds.html" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time</a>?). When Onox fell, the flame of
Destruction was lit and Twinrova was one step closer to their goal of
resurrecting the Evil King, but two flames were still unlit. That was until I
used the password I earned from beating <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">Oracle of Seasons</a> to then play <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages</a> as a sequel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0Vb-nmy8u0/T1VHD8qpWMI/AAAAAAAAAu4/a0ZRmG_RVJc/s1600/29631a766f1537530abc0ec5e6d15515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0Vb-nmy8u0/T1VHD8qpWMI/AAAAAAAAAu4/a0ZRmG_RVJc/s400/29631a766f1537530abc0ec5e6d15515.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
As I previously mentioned in my
<a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons</a> blog, when the Oracle games were first
released I wasn’t really exposed to them like I had been previous <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/" target="_blank">Zelda</a> titles.
2001 was a busy year for me, and unfortunately I really didn’t spend too much
of it gaming. Thankfully, eleven years later I have enough time, or at least I
can now make the time needed to play the games that I missed or want to replay
and that has led me to start my own personal quest to beat all of <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda games</a>. Not in their newly released chronological order mind you, but in
the order that they were first released and the order I would’ve originally
played them. I ask myself a similar question now with <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda</a> as I
find myself asking with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Complete-Episodes-Blu-ray/dp/B003ZSJ212/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330994231&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Star Wars saga</a>: which order will I expose my kids to
them? Will I let them see and experience them in the same way I did? Or will I
let them have a different experience with them than my own and go with the
chronology? I mean, with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Complete-Episodes-Blu-ray/dp/B003ZSJ212/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330994231&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Star Wars</a> this has some epic consequences watching
them in order, opposed to watching them the way they were released. Remember
seeing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Original-Trilogy-Episodes/dp/B000PMLFRA/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1330994231&sr=8-6" target="_blank">Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes</a> back for the first time and
finding out that Darth Vader was really Luke’s father? How mind blowing was
that? Now picture watching that after seeing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Prequel-Trilogy-Episodes/dp/B000PMG16U/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1330994231&sr=8-8" target="_blank">Episodes I, II, & III</a>; it just
doesn’t have the same effect. Really, it doesn’t have any effect anymore. It’s
more like “yeah I know, Darth Vader’s Luke’s father. I just watched the trilogy
that explained that. What else ya got?” So something that was once so amazing
is now just lost on a new audience. Is there a big reveal that you’d be robbed
of like that in the new <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/" target="_blank">Legend of Zelda</a> chronology? I’m not sure (if you can
think of one please feel free to post in the comments section). I haven’t
completed my quest yet, but doesn’t it seem weird (similar to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Complete-Episodes-Blu-ray/dp/B003ZSJ212/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330994231&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Star Wars</a>) that
you’d start with the newest game and work your way backwards? I’m not sure how
I’ll let my kids experience these epic parts of my youth yet, but I do know one
thing: they will experience them both. Now what were we talking about? Oh yeah,
<a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJK3IYnHQsI/T0Ra7Z_EevI/AAAAAAAAAsg/IKdCvhUXQaA/s1600/oracle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJK3IYnHQsI/T0Ra7Z_EevI/AAAAAAAAAsg/IKdCvhUXQaA/s320/oracle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
After completing the quest in
Holodrum, once again the Triforce calls out transporting Link to the kingdom of
Labrynna (still yet another adventure outside of Hyrule) where we find Princess
Zelda’s nursemaid Impa being attacked by Octoroks. The creatures quickly
disperse as Link approaches and Impa (who must’ve forgotten you from your
encounter in Holodrum) tells you what you already know; the Triforce symbol on
your left hand means you’re a Hyrulean hero and that must be what scared the
Octoroks off (kinda funny that logic never seems to work again). She then asks
you to help her on her quest to find a singer named Nayru. Not far into your quest, you find a rock that
also has the Triforce symbol on it blocking the route to Nayru’s house and for
some reason Impa isn’t able to move it. Maybe it’s because she isn’t a true
Hyrulean (she’s actually a Sheikah) or maybe it’s for another reason. Either
way, Impa asks Link to move the Triforce rock and he does so easily. With the
Triforce rock moved, Link and Impa continue their quest and encounter a group
of forest animals surrounding the singer Nayru. This is also where you meet
Ralph for the first time (Really? With all of the other great names they’ve
come up with, Ralph is the best they could do?) who introduces himself as a
friend of Nayru and whose path will cross yours throughout the game. After the
round of introductions is over, Impa begins to act strangely as a shadow rises
from her and reveals itself to be Veran, the Sorceress of Shadows (so that’s
why Impa wasn’t able to move the Triforce rock or Sacred Barrier). Veran then
takes possession over Nayru the Oracle of Ages and causes a disruption in the
time stream. This is where Link then
receives his shield from Impa (remember this is a password linked game,
originally he’d receive his sword) and heads to Lynna City to speak with the
Maku Tree (this time a female tree opposed to the male tree in <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">Oracle of Seasons</a>). But before Link can get the information needed, The Maku Tree is
attacked in the past and he must travel back in time to prevent it. After Link
saves the Maku Tree, he learns he must recover the eight Essences of Time in
order to defeat Veran and restore the time flow of Labrynna, and now the
adventure continues.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zXRwp9ydbDI/T1VHqMIMvBI/AAAAAAAAAvA/kFdVO3VQ7A8/s1600/Legend_Of_Zelda_Oracle_Of_Ages_GBC_ScreenShot2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zXRwp9ydbDI/T1VHqMIMvBI/AAAAAAAAAvA/kFdVO3VQ7A8/s320/Legend_Of_Zelda_Oracle_Of_Ages_GBC_ScreenShot2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
After playing <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons</a> I was prepared for maybe a little bit of a struggle in <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages</a>, but then again I had read that <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">Seasons</a> is more
of an adventure game and <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">Ages</a> is more of a puzzle game so I really didn’t know
what to expect. I was happy to start the game off with four hearts instead of
three, but even happier when I could transfer the rings I had already collected
in <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">Seasons</a> to my new saved file in <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">Ages</a>. The ability to transfer rings made it
so not only did the game really feel like a continuation of the first, but also
gave me a pretty nice arsenal to start the game with (if you remember from my
<a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">Oracle of Seasons</a> blog, I quested for the Red Ring and it was quite powerful -
more on that to follow). Similar to <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">Oracle of Seasons</a>,
there were characters from previous games in <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">Oracle of Ages</a>. In <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">Seasons</a> they were from <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/01/legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-3ds.html" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time</a>, in <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">Ages</a>
they were from <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-majoras-mask.html" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask</a>. Notable characters were The
Postman, The Hand in the Toilet, Tingle, The Happy Mask Salesman and Mamamu Yan (the
previous two characters were actually in both <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/01/legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-3ds.html" target="_blank">Ocarina of Time</a> and <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-majoras-mask.html" target="_blank">Majora’s Mask</a>). There were also some characters that traveled from <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">Seasons</a> to <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">Ages</a>, like
the two good witches Maple and Syrup. Other characters that helped the game
seem more like a sequel were Bipin and Blossom who had moved to Lynna city from
their home in Horon Village and brought with them their son who was a baby I
named in <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">Seasons</a>, that is now a teenager in <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">Ages</a> (if you’re curious I named him
after my cat Riku). The Great Moblin that I defeated in <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">Seasons</a> is also back in
<a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">Ages</a> and doesn’t want to lose to the same punk who already beat him once
before. And Moosh, who was my friendly beast companion in <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">Seasons</a>, was back as
my ride in <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">Ages</a>. But the coolest thing that really helped <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages</a> feel like a sequel was the password linked power-ups. Now,
playing the game alone made this part kind of a pain because I had to decide
when to stop playing <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">Ages</a> and go back to <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">Seasons</a>, but transferring passwords
and then items back and forth between the games was fun. But before I say too
much more…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
***SPOILER ALERT***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QF1DG_6Vsfw/T1VKAFc6bwI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/cRa4zqzvB74/s1600/Zelda+Harp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QF1DG_6Vsfw/T1VKAFc6bwI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/cRa4zqzvB74/s400/Zelda+Harp.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
It was really nice how they blended
the password linked characters into the storyline so you’d encounter them
naturally in most cases and not have to go out of your way to find them, at
least in the game you were currently playing. For example, when I found the
Ghost outside the Spirit’s Grave in <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages</a>, he
gave me a password to share with a ghost that was hiding in the Holodrum
graveyard in <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons</a>. This meant I spent a good
deal of time going back and forth between game packs collecting secrets and
then using the power-ups to help me through<a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank"> The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages</a>. It also meant I was a lot stronger in <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">Ages</a> and made it through the game a
lot faster and died a lot less (10 times in <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">Ages</a> in comparison to the 60 times
I died in <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">Seasons</a>). Now, did this take the fun out of the game? Not at all, it
actual made the game quite enjoyable and might’ve made it feel even fresher
than it would’ve been if I played both of the Oracle games straight without
linking them. That being said though, I
will admit that compared to my battle with Onox, my fight with Veran was little
more than a skirmish.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jUzn9l7Vc4/T1VUkhJypTI/AAAAAAAAAvY/wnt1WmjVklQ/s1600/thoz045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jUzn9l7Vc4/T1VUkhJypTI/AAAAAAAAAvY/wnt1WmjVklQ/s320/thoz045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
When you first battle Veran in her
Queen Ambi form, the fight is very similar to your previous battle against the
Possessed Nayru before you start level seven. In other words, you’ve already
fought Veran this way and it isn’t really hard. You fire Mystery Seeds at the
Possessed Queen Ambi and when the shadow of Veran rises out of the body, you
draw it towards you with your long hook and then lash at her with your sword;
easy enough. And when defeated, she takes on her second form of a Winged Demon.
Thanks to the password linking, I was already equipped with the Red Ring (the
same ring I used to take down Onox) and made short work of her second form
(although I will admit I took some damage attempting to dodge her fireballs).
Then, similar to your battle in <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons</a>, there
is a brief moment of calm before you fight Veran for the third and final time.
Unlike Onox this fight couldn’t have been easier (Red Ring again). I killed
Veran in her turtle form and never even got to see her spider or bee form (too
easy? Maybe, but then again I could’ve removed my ring). With Veran defeated,
the game was over… Oh wait, it wasn’t. With Veran defeated it allowed Twinrova
to ignite the second flame, the Flame of Sorrow, and allow their plan to
resurrect the Evil King to come to fruition. While you’re busy celebrating your
victory, Twinrova kidnaps Princess Zelda and plans on sacrificing her in order
to raise Ganon from the dead, which lights the third flame, the Flame of
Despair. With all three flames lit, you have no choice but to try and stop
Twinrova before Ganon is resurrected.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lQ91spCPRek/T1VWGeuE90I/AAAAAAAAAvo/yDtp8ZlBKoo/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lQ91spCPRek/T1VWGeuE90I/AAAAAAAAAvo/yDtp8ZlBKoo/s320/0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
The Twinrova battle for me was way
more challenging than defeating Veran. Maybe it was because I wasn’t very good
at shooting gallery mini-games and the first part of this battle used the same
mechanics - you had to use your sword to reflect the icy blasts of Kotake the
Sorceress of Ice into Koume the Sorceress of Flame and vice versa. I didn’t
take much damage during this part of the battle, but man did it take me awhile
(almost as long as it took me to defeat Ramrock, the boss of the Ancient Tomb).
Once you have enough hits against Kotake and Koume, they merge to become
Twinrova and the second part of the battle begins - this is where I died
against them and had to try again. When you hit Twinrova with your sword it
doesn’t actually damage them, it only stops them from attacking you; you have
to hit them with scent seeds after you stop their attack to do any damage. I
didn’t realize this at first and charged in sword slashing and got my butt
handed to me. Needless to say, the Red Ring doesn’t do too much during this
battle. Once I figured out the battle mechanics, I was able to bring Twinrova
down on my second attempt, which meant only one thing: on to the main event…
The battle with the king of evil himself: the resurrected Ganon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0rDOqG3Q5k/T1VUuznp3DI/AAAAAAAAAvg/e8VhyUGZppM/s1600/Oracles+Death.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0rDOqG3Q5k/T1VUuznp3DI/AAAAAAAAAvg/e8VhyUGZppM/s320/Oracles+Death.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I don’t know what it is about
fighting Ganon that makes a game so satisfying, but when the game doesn’t end
with a Ganon battle it’s just not the same for me (<a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2011/12/zelda-ii-adventure-of-link.html" target="_blank">Zelda II: Adventure of Link</a>
and <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-majoras-mask.html" target="_blank">Majora’s Mask</a>, both great endings but missing something). So when Ganon
appeared threatening to “destroy all, kill all,” I was at the edge of my seat.
Sadly, my Red Ring factored into this battle and I was able to fell Ganon
faster than I did with the silver arrows in the Original <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2011/12/legend-of-zelda.html" target="_blank">Legend of Zelda</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
***SPOLIER END*** <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
With the Evil King Ganon defeated
by mighty Master Sword yet again and the three kingdoms of Holodrum, Labrynna,
and Hyrule saved, my quest through <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/02/legend-of-zelda-oracle-of-seasons.html#more" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons</a> and
<a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">Ages</a> was complete… or was it? When the titles ended, I was actually given a new
password: the Hero’s Secret. If you use it in <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages</a> it begins your quest again, but this time with a Triforce symbol next to
your game save as well as four hearts and the Victory Ring (proves he defeated
Ganon). This allows you to play the games again in reverse order, something
that maybe I can do once my larger quest is complete but for now, I can hear
the <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/wind/" target="_blank">Great Sea</a> calling my name. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EKRAqDtU4vI/T0RdMpv_6-I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/vG9-Ar06P5Q/s1600/Zelda+25th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EKRAqDtU4vI/T0RdMpv_6-I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/vG9-Ar06P5Q/s400/Zelda+25th.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<SCRIPT charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822/US/hisdeluofgran-20/8005/72978a41-ec80-48a8-bb08-77ac9e3497cd"> </SCRIPT> <NOSCRIPT><A HREF="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fhisdeluofgran-20%2F8005%2F72978a41-ec80-48a8-bb08-77ac9e3497cd&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</A></NOSCRIPT>CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-30427007725886181482012-02-25T08:46:00.000-08:002012-02-25T08:46:04.118-08:00Independence Day<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1166</o:Words>
<o:Characters>6647</o:Characters>
<o:Company>ill-Co. Productions</o:Company>
<o:Lines>55</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>15</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>7798</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IstsjCRZkt4/T0kKR8KNZkI/AAAAAAAAAtw/NrSz-m1CCn0/s1600/independence_day_ver3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IstsjCRZkt4/T0kKR8KNZkI/AAAAAAAAAtw/NrSz-m1CCn0/s400/independence_day_ver3.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Before I talk about this past weeks
<a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> movie and what it means to me, first I have to take you back
to July of last year when my brother, Jaclyn and I had just settled into our
seats in the VIP section of <a href="http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/Denver/Denver_Frameset_GWV.htm" target="_blank">Landmark Theatre</a> in Greenwood Village, Colorado and
drink in hand (one of the perks of the VIP upgrade was they brought you adult
beverages) we were waiting for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Super-Two-Disc-Blu-ray-Combo-Digital/dp/B004EPYZQ2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1330187670&sr=8-3" target="_blank">Super 8</a> to start. Before the lights dimmed, one of
the theater workers moved to the front of the theater, microphone in hand, and
delivered the following speech:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
“Good morning. In less than an
hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will
be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind.
"Mankind." That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We
can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our
common interests. Perhaps it's fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you
will once again be fighting for our freedom... Not from tyranny, oppression, or
persecution... but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live, to
exist. And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as
an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: "We
will not go quietly into the night!" We will not vanish without a fight!
We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today we celebrate our
Independence Day!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
When she finished, the three of us
started clapping along with some of the other hipper patrons. I heard a woman
turn to her husband and ask confused “what was that all about?” With a smile,
he replied “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Independence-Day-Blu-ray-Bill-Pullman/dp/B000WQWPKA/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1330187695&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Independence Day</a>.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UstpW_HD_Xo/T0kKzyrkM9I/AAAAAAAAAt4/YPE6dOqcbUE/s1600/2011-10-27-independence_day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UstpW_HD_Xo/T0kKzyrkM9I/AAAAAAAAAt4/YPE6dOqcbUE/s400/2011-10-27-independence_day.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
That’s right, this weeks <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> at <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/index.php" target="_blank">Essex Cinemas</a> was the 1996 classic summer blockbuster <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Independence-Day-Blu-ray-Bill-Pullman/dp/B000WQWPKA/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1330187695&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Independence Day</a>. It’s actually been awhile since I’ve had the pleasure of watching this
film; I believe the last time I really watched it was in early 2001 at a USO
while I was still at Air Force Basic Training. I and another member of my
flight were selected to go to a Generals dinner and talk about how training was
currently going, something that was really intimidating for someone that had
been in the military for less than a month. Come to think of it, it would still
be really intimidating. The redeeming part was that for the first time in weeks
I was going to get to leave Lackland Air Force Base and head into the real
world again. We were dropped off at the USO Club and had some time to kill
before the dinner began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my surprise
and delight, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Independence-Day-Blu-ray-Bill-Pullman/dp/B000WQWPKA/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1330187695&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Independence Day</a> was playing on their rather large projection TV.
This was the first movie I got to see since I boarded my plane in Boston as a
very nervous enlistee (the inflight movie was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Men-Honor-Blu-ray-Robert-DeNiro/dp/B000K0YLMS/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1330188258&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Men of Honor</a>, fitting for the time).
Instantly I was transported out of my tight fitting dress blue uniform to a
simpler time of shorts, sandals and no worries…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o_6QGSxLQTA/T0kLyeh9LqI/AAAAAAAAAuA/zmBNgYkPrLY/s1600/area51-independence-day-attack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o_6QGSxLQTA/T0kLyeh9LqI/AAAAAAAAAuA/zmBNgYkPrLY/s400/area51-independence-day-attack.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
It was the summer of ’96 and I had
just watched <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Independence-Day-Blu-ray-Bill-Pullman/dp/B000WQWPKA/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1330187695&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Independence Day</a> for the very first time at <a href="http://www.palace9.com/" target="_blank">Place 9 Cinemas</a> (then
Cinema 9). I remember climbing into my girlfriend’s overloaded gray Oldsmobile Cutlass
Supreme as we cruised back toward Williston Road, the car buzzing with activity
as we recited our favorite lines and discussed in length the best parts of the
movie. In fact, not satisfied with how quickly we made it back to our
respective neighborhoods we made a pit stop at McDonald’s so we could discuss
the movie even more. That was the first of eleven times I saw <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Independence-Day-Blu-ray-Bill-Pullman/dp/B000WQWPKA/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1330187695&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Independence Day</a>
in the theater that summer, a personal record for seeing one film that still
holds up to this day (trailing behind <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Prequel-Trilogy-Episodes/dp/B000PMG16U/ref=sr_1_5?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1330188071&sr=1-5" target="_blank">Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith</a> at six
times and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scott-Pilgrim-World-Two-Disc-Blu-ray/dp/B0043GAZYS/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1330188105&sr=1-2" target="_blank">Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World</a> at three times). What was it exactly about
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Independence-Day-Blu-ray-Bill-Pullman/dp/B000WQWPKA/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1330187695&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Independence Day</a> that made it so special that I would want to see the same movie
eleven times in the theater? Honestly I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, or
at least that was until I had the pleasure of seeing it on the big screen
again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SvMzsQr08DE/T0kL5QhRzzI/AAAAAAAAAuI/lN51XcCmf5g/s1600/will_smith_id4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SvMzsQr08DE/T0kL5QhRzzI/AAAAAAAAAuI/lN51XcCmf5g/s400/will_smith_id4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Like 1993’s <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2011/11/jurassic-park.html" target="_blank">Jurassic Park</a> (a
previous <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> Selection) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Independence-Day-Blu-ray-Bill-Pullman/dp/B000WQWPKA/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1330187695&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Independence Day</a> is a movie just too big
to watch any other way than in a theater. It’s a special FX driven film meant
to be painted across a screen just as large as it is (that’s why it was a
perfect fit for <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/index.php" target="_blank">Essex Cinemas'</a> behemoth 60 foot <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/theatrerealextreme.php" target="_blank">T-Rex</a> screen). Sure you can
argue that it’s a summer seat-filler popcorn movie, but I think in this case
you’d be wrong. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Independence-Day-Blu-ray-Bill-Pullman/dp/B000WQWPKA/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1330187695&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Independence Day</a> spends just the right amount of time with the
characters. It makes you care about Will Smith’s relationship with Vivica A.
Fox by providing just enough information; he’s a Marine pilot that wants to be
an Astronaut but is rejected from the program and is in love with a stripper
with a heart of gold that is dancing to provide for her young son. Do I care
about these characters? Yes. The scenes between Captain Steven Hiller (Smith)
and Jasmine (Fox) make me believe that they are in love and I want to see them
succeed because they feel like real people with real problems, then add an epic
alien invasion to that and I want to see them succeed even more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-83uAMrVhmSg/T0kMYaZlXpI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/O9gw1ITY5Ew/s1600/smith-fox-badley-GC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-83uAMrVhmSg/T0kMYaZlXpI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/O9gw1ITY5Ew/s400/smith-fox-badley-GC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Then there’s the Jeff Goldblum/Margaret
Colin relationship; very early into the film we are introduced to the fact that
David (Goldblum) and Constance (Colin) have been divorced for three years but
David is still in love with his ex-wife. As soon as the aliens invade, all
David wants to do is get his ex-wife to safety. Once again, real problems set
against science fiction ones, a blend that works perfectly. Randy Quaid’s
character Russell Case, an ex-military pilot turned town drunk crop-duster who
may or may not have been previously abducted by the same attacking aliens,
first appears to be comic relief. But as the movie progresses, he starts to
look a lot more sane and by the end of the film he’s a hero. Even the United
States President Thomas J. Whitmore played by Bill Pullman is a character that
we as an audience care about. He’s introduced as a former jet pilot family man,
whose popularity is slipping in the polls. By the end of the film he once again
returned to his former glory as a pilot but also successfully rallied the world
together against the attacking aliens with the speech I borrowed to start this
blog. We’re also clued into the fact that David and President Whitmore have a
past because Constance is and has been his speechwriter. At one point, most likely
before his divorce, David punched the President in the face because he thought
he was having an affair with his wife. What does all of that have to do with an
alien invasion? Absolutely nothing. So why is it important to the film? Because
without it, the entire movie would’ve only been amazing special effects with no
substance, like the 2010 film <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Skyline-Blu-ray-Eric-Balfour/dp/B003Y5H5GU/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1330188008&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Skyline</a>. It’s because we care about the
characters that we want to see Captain Hiller and David succeed and that we
stay riveted in our seats until the climatic ending. And because of these
characters, blended with the awesome special effects, I saw this movie a record
twelve times in the theater now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B2bB33or8-8/T0kM5VmNciI/AAAAAAAAAuY/9ZqCnVKCIDk/s1600/fhd996IDY_Bill_Pullman_009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B2bB33or8-8/T0kM5VmNciI/AAAAAAAAAuY/9ZqCnVKCIDk/s400/fhd996IDY_Bill_Pullman_009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
My only regret about this weeks’
selection, okay my two regrets, are first it’s only February and I would’ve
loved to view this movie closer to the 4th<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">. </span>With that being said, I
did get to see it at the <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/theatrerealextreme.php" target="_blank">T-Rex</a> so my complaints are only minimal. My second
regret is actually my biggest one and that is Jaclyn, who may be a bigger fan
of the movie than I am, (although I’m sure she didn’t see it in the theater as
many times) wasn’t able to attend the movie because she caught the cold that I
had been battling. One of the things that have made <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday’s</a> so
great for me is sharing these movies from my past with friends and family. It
was a bummer that she had to sit out this time, but hopefully further down the
road she wont have to miss another one. In fact, “where we’re going, we don’t
need roads”…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
…To be continued</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XG28qOp6e5g/T0kM_6Jc8ZI/AAAAAAAAAug/y-pEFZEb63Y/s1600/throwbackthursdays800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XG28qOp6e5g/T0kM_6Jc8ZI/AAAAAAAAAug/y-pEFZEb63Y/s400/throwbackthursdays800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-62320921923858853642012-02-21T19:34:00.000-08:002012-03-05T10:32:57.207-08:00The Legend of Zelda: The Oracle of Seasons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UFhSd32J6VA/T0RZ6m97VAI/AAAAAAAAAr4/iAIuoQlQqMA/s1600/oracle-of-seasons-boxart-us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UFhSd32J6VA/T0RZ6m97VAI/AAAAAAAAAr4/iAIuoQlQqMA/s320/oracle-of-seasons-boxart-us.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
It’s <a href="http://www.1up.com/news/legend-of-zelda-turns-25" target="_blank">Zelda Day</a>! That’s right kiddos,
it’s now been 26<sup> </sup>years since <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shigeru_Miyamoto" target="_blank">Shigeru Miyamoto</a> first unleashed The
<a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2011/12/legend-of-zelda.html" target="_blank">Legend of Zelda</a> into our collective consciousness and I couldn’t think of a
better way to celebrate then filling you all in about my latest conquest, <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleseasons/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: The Oracle of Seasons</a>. I managed to catch a nasty head cold
(speaking of changing seasons) but still fought through for another Zelda
victory that unfortunately will be my last official one of The Legend of
Zelda’s 25th anniversary, but since Nintendo is going to keep
celebrating so will I with future victories to come. But before we move on to
that, let’s talk about Oracle of Seasons.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;"></span><br />
</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P60_LOGxKIs/T0RcUymqS2I/AAAAAAAAAs4/1m54O-OlAnk/s1600/gameboy_color_kiwi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P60_LOGxKIs/T0RcUymqS2I/AAAAAAAAAs4/1m54O-OlAnk/s320/gameboy_color_kiwi.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;">Before I can talk about The Legend
of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons first I have to back up and give you a little
background of how I first found myself playing it. Come on now it’s only fair,
I’ve discussed my history with all the other games in my other blogs, so you should’ve
guessed I was going to do it here. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Boy_Color" target="_blank">Gameboy Color </a>was released two weeks
after my eighteenth birthday on November 18, 1998. At the time I was working for <a href="http://www.costco.com/" target="_blank">Costco Wholesale</a>
and making a pretty good paycheck for a High School senior. I mention Costco
only because they used to (and probably still do) get really cool package deals
on videogame systems and they just so happened to get one of these package
deals around the release of Gameboy Color. Bundled with the Gameboy Color (much
to my younger brothers joy) was a game that had just started to take hold in
the United States, the juggernaut that is <a href="http://www.pokemon.com/us/" target="_blank">Pokémon</a>. Each Gameboy Color came with
the system as well as a copy of Pokémon (Red or Blue) and an official Nintendo
Power Pokémon Strategy Guide. Now I’ve
always prided myself on my big brother coolness and if my brother wanted to
play Pokémon, than Pokémon he shall play. So I picked up two of the Gameboy
Color bundles and I’m sure, as you know, there was nothing a freshly minted
eighteen-year-old wanted more than to try and catch all 151 Pokémon on his
brand new Kiwi Gameboy Color, but try I did. I actually spent a good number of
my dinner breaks at Costco playing Pokémon and carried my Gameboy Color with my
copy of Pokémon Blue. That’s right, I chose Squirtle, but come on, Blastoise
looked B.A. on the cover (besides my brother wanted to have the Charizard). I
have to say I did manage to score some brownie points with the ladies. With
Pokémon, you ask? How? Simple: I could speak their younger siblings language
and also selflessly trade away my hard earned Pokémon much to their chagrin. In
turn they left their older sisters alone and they were grateful for the moments
of peace, and I digress…</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZKYI5nBqyo/T0RbZn8YF5I/AAAAAAAAAsw/c78J2MvYHNw/s1600/pokemonblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZKYI5nBqyo/T0RbZn8YF5I/AAAAAAAAAsw/c78J2MvYHNw/s320/pokemonblue.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of
Seasons wasn’t released until very late into the Gameboy Colors lifecycle (May
14, 2001). In fact, just a month after Oracle of Seasons came out a brand new
handheld Nintendo system was also released: the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Boy_Advance" target="_blank">Gameboy Advance</a>. Unfortunately this
wasn’t the reason I wasn’t immediately exposed to The Legend of Zelda: Oracle
of Seasons. You see when it first came out I was smack in the middle of my
military training and with months to go I didn’t get an opportunity to play it
until I returned home and my brother lent me his copy to play (the very copy
that I just beat I might add). Honestly I didn’t make it that far my first time
around (I still have the save file to prove it - I was on the third dungeon,
Poison Moth’s Lair). I can’t remember my first impressions of the game, only
that I wanted to be a fan because I was such a big fan of <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/awakening/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening</a> (a game that I own and have beaten both the original and DX
version) but I just don’t think the timing was right. I had too much going on at the time with,
well, let’s be honest about the time frame, late 2001 was a rough year to be an
American and I was a brand new Airmen First Class and had defending our nation
on my mind. The Legend of Zelda took a backseat until <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/past/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past</a> & <a href="http://zelda.com/fourswordsanniversary/" target="_blank">Four Swords</a> was released a year later but that’s a whole
other blog (I promise I really will get to it).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2t186QgcOY/T0Rckt4mZeI/AAAAAAAAAtA/jiLRIuBapOg/s1600/Legend_Of_Zelda_Oracle_Of_Seasons_GBC_ScreenShot2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2t186QgcOY/T0Rckt4mZeI/AAAAAAAAAtA/jiLRIuBapOg/s320/Legend_Of_Zelda_Oracle_Of_Seasons_GBC_ScreenShot2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Fast Forward eleven years later and
it was time to give The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons the chance it truly
deserved. I blew the dust off of my trusty Kiwi Gameboy Color and popped in the
game but time wasn’t kind to the old Gameboy Color. Without a backlit screen it
made playing the game a nightmare, I mean just a month ago I was playing the
delight that is <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2012/01/legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-3ds.html" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS</a> Nintendo’s newest
handheld system and the Gameboy Color just couldn’t hold a candle to it. The
problem was I had lent my brother my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Boy_Advance_SP" target="_blank">Gameboy Advance SP</a> and he didn’t live
right down the street anymore; it looked like I was stuck playing on my Gameboy
Color… Or was I? Determined to get the most bang for my buck I decided to do
something semi-irrational and purchase a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_GameCube" target="_blank">GameCube</a> as well as a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_Boy_Player" target="_blank">Gameboy Advance Player</a>. Why go this extreme? I mean, I already had a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Console-Super-Mario-Brothers-nintendo/dp/B005QWYKOE/ref=sr_tr_3?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1329881341&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Wii </a>capable of playing
both <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/wind/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker</a> and <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/fourswords/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Four Sword Adventures</a>, but so what? I wanted to get the most out of my Zelda experience
and the only way to do that is to play it on the big screen baby. I know, I
know, it may have been a little overkill but I look forward to blowing the dust
off of some other older titles after I finish hacking and slashing my way
through the Zelda titles…<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MEb-MIegOL8/T1UGkhENn5I/AAAAAAAAAuo/eAdU-S63N0c/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MEb-MIegOL8/T1UGkhENn5I/AAAAAAAAAuo/eAdU-S63N0c/s320/17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Now where was I? Oh yes, I had just
entered the world of Holodrum (does any adventure actually take place in Hyrule
anymore?) and befriended a dancer named Din when out of nowhere Onox the
General of Darkness descends and kidnaps Din (who turns out to be the Oracle of
Seasons for which the game is named) and causes the temple of seasons to sink
into Subrosia and the seasons to go haywire. Impa, Princess Zelda’s nurse,
tells you she was sent to Holodrum to bring Din to Hyrule and you must help her.
You talk to the Maku Tree in Horon Village (reminiscent of the Deku Tree from
Ocarina of Time) and he tells you in order to stop Onox you first need to
recover the eight Essences of Nature, which he will later use to create Maku
seed that will allow you to enter Onox castle for the final confrontation and
now your adventure begins.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AOtgN5quojE/T0RdHglpVwI/AAAAAAAAAtI/ZJ35kBld2lk/s1600/zelda_oracle_seasons_conceptart_zhSCP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AOtgN5quojE/T0RdHglpVwI/AAAAAAAAAtI/ZJ35kBld2lk/s320/zelda_oracle_seasons_conceptart_zhSCP.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
I found The Legend of Zelda: Oracle
of Seasons to be challenging but not in a <a href="http://hisdelusionsofgrandeur.blogspot.com/2011/12/zelda-ii-adventure-of-link.html" target="_blank">Zelda II: The Adventure of Link</a> kinda
way, although along the way there were certainly areas that had me ready to
pull my hair out; mini bosses that were at least to me fair to challenging for
their own good. But with that being said, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of
Seasons was a fun game and a nice addition to the series. I liked how they
brought characters in from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Malon, Talon,
Ingo, Biggoron and Guru-Guru all make cameos and add to the overall gameplay
experience by helping it feel like a continuation of a larger story. There were
also some interesting additions with The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons,
like the ability to ride on animals like Ricky, Moosh and Dimitri. This somehow
reminded of an earlier <a href="http://www.capcom.com/us/" target="_blank">Capcom</a> title <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Nemo:_The_Dream_Master" target="_blank">Little Nemo: The Dream Master</a> for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Entertainment_System" target="_blank">NES</a> (Nintendo Entertainment System) where you would ride on the backs of
different animals like a Gorilla, Frog or Mole. There was also another way it
reminded me of that game, but before I go there…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
***SPOLIER ALERT***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YRcEqjS0-nw/T0Rdtby82AI/AAAAAAAAAtY/AZYa7dI2U4c/s1600/OoS+Onox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YRcEqjS0-nw/T0Rdtby82AI/AAAAAAAAAtY/AZYa7dI2U4c/s320/OoS+Onox.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
So after you collect all eight of
the Essences of Nature and receive the Maku seed, you’re ready to square off
against Onox, and he’s not going to make your fight against him easy. First you
fight him one on one and he tries to crush you with his giant mace; he also
stomps and drops boulders from the ceiling. If this isn’t challenging enough,
you can only hurt him with a spinning sword attack so time those hits right and
use the Roc’s Cape to avoid his attacks. If you manage to hit him enough times,
he then brings a crystalized Din into the fight, not to square off against you
but more as a human shield. Now you have to bat her away using your Rod of
Seasons and if you hit her by mistake, prepare to take some major damage and
Onox now adds a third attack to his arsenal; he sends out little tornados to
take you down. If you do manage to navigate past this second level of
craziness, then hang-on to your butts because the real battle is only just
beginning. After defeating Onox twice, he disappears and you’re left in a room
with the crystalized Din. You’d think you’d free her and call it a day, but
you’d be wrong. The minute you touch the crystal the floor begins to drop out
from under you and you now fight the third and hardest transformation of Onox,
the Dark Dragon, and the Dark Dragon doesn’t mess around. He tries to crush you
with his hands; if that doesn’t work, he uses blue flame; if that doesn’t work,
he spits out fireballs for what feels like hours. Oh, and did I mention the
only way to attack him is wait for his hand to try and crush you and then ride
it up to his face and try and hit the jewel in the center of his head? No? Well,
now I have. So if you had any hearts left after the first two battles, here is
the proving ground, here’s where your blood will be shed. I fought him and
fought him and just couldn’t bring home the victory. I can’t tell you how
discouraged I was being this close to the end of the game and not being able to
seal the deal. I played it over and over
again for what felt like two hours, finally walking out of the castle just to
score a red potion to try and hang in a little longer, but I was no match for
the Dark Dragon. And by the way, was it just me or did he sort of resemble the
King of Nightmares from Little Nemo: The Dream Master? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_iHRo6k_AJM/T0ReIjB9m2I/AAAAAAAAAto/fuvaO9v37dE/s1600/littlenemoboss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_iHRo6k_AJM/T0ReIjB9m2I/AAAAAAAAAto/fuvaO9v37dE/s320/littlenemoboss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Anyway, I was right
about to give up when I flipped through my Nintendo Power Strategy Guide again
and noticed I had skipped over an important little gem right in the beginning
of the guide: the Red Ring. The Red Ring doubles the power of your sword and
allows you to hand out some real punishment and all you have to do to get it is
hunt down four golden creatures, one in each season. Needless to say, I was off
on a side quest before I squared off against Onox again, and I’m glad I did
because with the Red Ring in my possession I made the Dark Dragon my bitch in a
matter of minutes. In fact it was almost not satisfying how easily I beat him
with the Red Ring on, almost I said. I do take into account how many times I
tried and failed. But now with Red Ring in tow I was victorious and the game
was over… Or was it? When you complete Oracle of Seasons you find out Onox was
just a pawn of Twinrova’s plan to resurrect the Evil King and your quest isn’t
over. No, it continues in The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QiIafGQoMJ4/T0Rd8fK7LBI/AAAAAAAAAtg/bwaIbZTtEbM/s1600/onox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QiIafGQoMJ4/T0Rd8fK7LBI/AAAAAAAAAtg/bwaIbZTtEbM/s320/onox.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
***SPOILER END***<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
So with this quest complete, I was
able to cross another game off my list, sort of. Although the main story in The
Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons was over, the game wasn’t. See, Capcom had
created a password linking system that connects Oracle of Seasons with the
Oracle of Ages and my real quest was only just beginning. So please stay tuned
for part two of the blog when I beat <a href="http://zelda.com/universe/game/oracleages/" target="_blank">The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages</a> and
complete the full saga.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EKRAqDtU4vI/T0RdMpv_6-I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/vG9-Ar06P5Q/s1600/Zelda+25th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EKRAqDtU4vI/T0RdMpv_6-I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/vG9-Ar06P5Q/s320/Zelda+25th.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3437275812075246716.post-30350256995086485012012-02-15T13:43:00.000-08:002012-03-09T15:37:29.323-08:00Grease<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ygu0YwyJQ_A/TzwgTxvP4CI/AAAAAAAAAjo/a3nG6buIBKc/s1600/MPW-50018.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ygu0YwyJQ_A/TzwgTxvP4CI/AAAAAAAAAjo/a3nG6buIBKc/s320/MPW-50018.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
“Why, this car is Auto-matic. Its
System-matic. Its Hyyyyydro-matic. Why, its Greased Lightning!” That’s right,
last nights <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a>… Er… Throwback Tuesday? Well, Throwback movie at
<a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/index.php" target="_blank">Essex Cinema</a> was 1978’s mega musical spectacular <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S86J2Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001S86J2Q" target="_blank">Grease</a></span>. I could lie right now
and tell you that I was dragged there kicking and screaming by my wife as a
Valentine’s Day date, but that’s what I’d be doing, lying. Believe it or not,
the fact is that I, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/TravisJKehoe" target="_blank">Travis J. Kehoe</a>, was excited to see <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S86J2Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001S86J2Q" target="_blank">Grease</a></span> on the <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/theatrerealextreme.php" target="_blank">T-Rex</a>’s big
screen. Shocking? Well, probably not if you really knew me. You see, it all
happened back in middle school…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJw228edjYM/Tzwga1f4o6I/AAAAAAAAAjw/3Ao6xpaLxxM/s1600/grease_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJw228edjYM/Tzwga1f4o6I/AAAAAAAAAjw/3Ao6xpaLxxM/s320/grease_l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;">“Summer lovin’ having a blast…
Summer lovin’ happened so fast…” I don’t remember the exact date or even who
performed the lip-sync, but I do remember falling in love with the image of the
tough guys in motorcycle jackets and girls in poodle skirts before I even
understood that the song being performed was called “Sumer Nights” and was from
a movie version of a musical called </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S86J2Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001S86J2Q" target="_blank">Grease</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;">. I was in middle school and unfortunately
at that awkward age where you decided that you must suppress everything that
makes you unique in order to be “cool.” One of the things I loved at the time
was lip-syncing. My younger brother and I (he might kill me for this) used to
lip-sync together all the time to the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000001FDK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000001FDK" target="_blank">Soundtrack</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;">of </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00164GDA0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00164GDA0" target="_blank">Stand by Me</a>. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;">And the previous
summer I almost won a lip-sync contest hosted by the Summer Program I attended with
my rendition of Vanilla Ice’s “</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026FHYYW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0026FHYYW">Ice Ice Baby</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px;">” (to this day I still have most of the
lyrics memorized). But things were different now. I mean, this was middle
school and lip-syncing was for babies. So I sat there with a group of my
friends heckling the kids that were brave enough to still have fun. That is
until the first beats of “Summer Nights” played and the guys came out dressed
in the greaser gear and the girls came twirling out in their poodle skirts. My
eyes were transfixed as a sea of 50’s retro style crashed down on our school’s
tiny cafeteria stage transforming it into Rydell High School. Everything else
went quiet as I first learned of Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsen’s unfinished summer
romance; I was speechless. The music stopped and before I could control myself
I, to the horror of my peer group, was clapping ecstatically. As I slowly came
to my senses I’m sure I tried to play off my new infatuation as sarcastic
revelry, but the seed had been planted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jh4R00HExrw/TzwhvgM4gfI/AAAAAAAAAkY/OKI8Zj13AyI/s1600/Soundtrack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jh4R00HExrw/TzwhvgM4gfI/AAAAAAAAAkY/OKI8Zj13AyI/s320/Soundtrack.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Fast-Forward to a few years later
and I had cast off the awkwardness of middle school and embraced the
complexities of High School. My younger brother, being six years younger than
me, was still at an age when none of the social pressures had really bothered
him yet and also at an age when he discovered <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S86J2Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001S86J2Q" target="_blank">Grease</a></span> for the first time. To my
secret delight, my brother being into <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S86J2Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001S86J2Q" target="_blank">Grease</a></span> meant I for the first time had
access to the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grease-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/dp/B000001FDK/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header" target="_blank">Grease Soundtrack</a>, something at the time I would’ve denied
listening to even at the threat of torture (I know, why did I care some much?). But listen to it I did, further cementing the
crooning of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000237/" target="_blank">John Travolta</a> and the siren song of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000556/" target="_blank">Olivia Newton-John</a> in my brain.
My mother actually brought my brother to see <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S86J2Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001S86J2Q" target="_blank">Grease</a></span> live at the <a href="http://www.flynncenter.org/" target="_blank">Flynn Theater</a>
but I couldn’t go to that - that would’ve admitted my secret shame, that I
liked musicals, and I was way too cool for that (dumb!). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nT3hcqRwefs/TzwhXdYUsbI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/Q8qJPHNVGes/s1600/grease21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nT3hcqRwefs/TzwhXdYUsbI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/Q8qJPHNVGes/s400/grease21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Fast-forward to several years later
and several unrequited summer romances and I was sitting on the couch of one of
my biggest high school crushes. We were still in the awkward stage of dating;
where we were still learning little bits and pieces about each other but still
didn’t have the whole story. You know, the magical time before one of you
actually farts? Ah, the innocence of a young love. Flipping through the channels
I stopped on <a href="http://www.tbs.com/" target="_blank">TBS</a> to see what movie they were playing. We made small talk during
the commercial break and when the movie came back on it was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S86J2Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001S86J2Q" target="_blank">Grease</a></span>.
Instinctually I raised my hand with the remote to change the channel. I mean,
this girl didn’t really know me yet, she only knew the facts that surrounded me:
I was in the military, I had been in a band in high school and I was attending
Film School now. She had no idea that under this tough guy exterior (so I’ve
been told, I don’t see it) was the heart of a musical theater geek. I guess I must’ve
hesitated just long enough before switching the channel because before I knew
it, she was asking me what movie this was. I had two choices: retreat into my
usually “cool” guy mode and feign ignorance or tell her the truth - it was an
awesome musical about high school love in a fictional 50’s California landscape.
I chose the latter of the two and this became the first time I got to enjoy <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S86J2Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001S86J2Q" target="_blank">Grease</a></span> with my wife.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GFhwYJpDDt4/TzwgzT_WGBI/AAAAAAAAAkI/LByxw1KxSYE/s1600/Olivia+Newton+John+1978_grease_038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GFhwYJpDDt4/TzwgzT_WGBI/AAAAAAAAAkI/LByxw1KxSYE/s400/Olivia+Newton+John+1978_grease_038.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
And one last time, fast-forward
almost ten years later and we were looking to make Valentine’s Day plans. I
wouldn’t ever say that my wife and I are not romantic, but I would say that
that our romance isn’t a traditional one. Our movie, if I had to name one,
would be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ECQ4HG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001ECQ4HG" target="_blank">True Romance</a>,</span> which if you haven’t seen first of all please go watch
it now, but then understand despite its misleading title it’s not exactly your
traditional sweetheart movie. It’s actually a <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001716/" target="_blank">Tony Scott</a> film and one of
<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000233/" target="_blank">Quentin Tarantino</a>’s earliest scripts and if that doesn’t tell you enough it’s
full of blood, guns and drugs; not your typical romance story. Our idea of a romantic evening involves <a href="http://www.tacobell.com/" target="_blank">Taco Bell</a> not Filet Mignon, and maybe splitting a six-pack of beer instead of a
bottle of wine (although lately it’s been more Martini’s than beer, thanks for
classing us up sweetie). But when I heard that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S86J2Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001S86J2Q" target="_blank">Grease</a></span> was playing at <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/index.php" target="_blank">Essex Cinema</a> as a special <a href="http://www.essexcinemas.com/throwbackthursdays.php" target="_blank">Throwback Thursday</a> presentation, it was time to finally let
my guard down and to ask my special someone if she’d accompany me on a retro
movie date.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Lbe6cWx2cs/TzwgkzFgLZI/AAAAAAAAAj4/EWp7PuGODjo/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Lbe6cWx2cs/TzwgkzFgLZI/AAAAAAAAAj4/EWp7PuGODjo/s320/image.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Watching <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S86J2Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001S86J2Q" target="_blank">Grease</a></span> on the big screen
hand and hand with my Valentine was a treat. You could hear the laughter of the
rest of the audience reverberating off the walls but even cooler was the
audience participation as their favorite songs played. I can’t say it broke into
full sing-a-long mode, but I can say it was a hell of a lot of fun. Watching <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S86J2Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001S86J2Q" target="_blank">Grease</a></span> with my wife and friends (it was like a double date just bigger, okay)
was awesome but I felt a little of that middle school self-censorship creeping
back in as I sat next to my partner in crime, Covino. His wife, like me, or
most likely even more than me, loves <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S86J2Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001S86J2Q" target="_blank">Grease</a></span>; Covino was a hostage being dragged
along for the ride. He and I don’t seem to like a lot of the same things, but
we do agree on the things that matter most and I think that’s what makes us
great friends. I will mention in a sidebar that his wife Jenn and I were
friends before he and I were, even though we attended <a href="https://www.burlington.edu/" target="_blank">Burlington College</a>
together. But that is a whole other story, and a whole other movie. My point
being, watching Jenn enjoy <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001S86J2Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hisdeluofgran-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001S86J2Q" target="_blank">Grease</a></span> was more than enough to once again quiet the
awkward middle schooler inside of me and allow me to enjoy the movie hand in
hand with my sweetheart, who by the way is much more comfortable in her skin. I
guess even at 31 I’m still fighting to suppress the demons that tell me not to celebrate
being me, and just have fun. But that’s
why it’s nice to have a Valentines date that really gets me, and reminds me
that: “We go together like ramma lamma lamma ka dinga da dinga dong. Remember
forever as shoo-bop sha whada whadda yippidy boom da boom. Chang chang changity
chang shoo bop that’s the way it should be… Waooo! Yeah!”</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2z93IxDerxA/TzwgqtjqD2I/AAAAAAAAAkA/DXOvXg6EhTs/s1600/throwbackthursdays800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2z93IxDerxA/TzwgqtjqD2I/AAAAAAAAAkA/DXOvXg6EhTs/s400/throwbackthursdays800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></div>CoolDadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05126138052918145329noreply@blogger.com3