Three most influential albums in your life

While listing to my daily cup of radio – Mike & Mike on ESPN Radio, an interesting discussing took place.  The discussion focused around the acknowledgment of Michael Jackson’s 49^th birthday, which is today August 29th. Before anyone says it, why is Michael Jackson being discussed on sport radio?  Well, your guess is as good as mine…maybe too much Vick over the past several weeks and need a bit of levity is need?  Who knows…  

Any way, as the host talked about all things Michael Jackson, the discussion started veering toward the impact of Jackson’s music and especially the 1984 album Thriller on their lives.  The guest host on Mike & Mike – Eric & Sean then took the discussion to another level.  They asked the audiences what are the three most influential albums in your life time between the ages of 8-28.  Wow…what a great question!!!!  So it my turn.

With some thought, I came up with mine.

• 1. Guns N Roses – Appetite for Destruction
• 2. Nirvana – Neverland
• 3. U2 – Acutung Baby

So, I would like to know what everyone else’s three must influential albums are between of your life between 8-28 years.  Please let me know….

The Ballistic Bookbag – what every child needs

Well it’s that time of the year again, kids are going back to school and parents are making the trip to the local Wal-Mart or Target for school supplies.  Yeah, those dreaded supplies – lunch boxes, notebook paper, pencils, erasers and backpacks.

On the market this year is updated and improved version of on old reliable school supply buddy – the backpack.  I know what you are thinking, what could they have done to make the backpack better.  Is it iPod friendly?  Are there pouches for your cell phone and PDA?  Is there an internal “camel pouch” for water in the pack?  No…all these options have been done already.  You can even get a GPS chip sewed into the pack so you know where your child is at all times…Not a bad idea, if I do say.

So then, what is the latest and greatest in backpack wear in 2007?  Here it is…  The front line of defense for your child’s safety – The Ballistic Bookbag!  The Ballistic Book bag???  Yes, the first-ever bullet and knife proof bookbag for your child. 

This book bag is made with the same standards, Level II that has been set down by the National Institute for Justice as an industry standard for most police body armor.  Now that is protection!  Being made of Kevlar® not only makes it durable, but lightweight!  You can’t ask for anything more that.  And $179.00 is a small price to pay for the safety of your love ones.

Now you can feel at easy when your child walks to their bus stop in your sub-division; you can have peace of mind that he/she can protect themselves from any attack.  Thank you Ballistic Bookbag!

So, when you grabbing those pens, pencils, notebooks, and papers this year, don’t forget to pick up your bullet proof back pack.  You never know when this item might come in handy.

iPone – The Secert is out!

Since the iPhone hit the market almost a month ago, a slow typhoon of controversy has been growing regarding this breakout electronic gadget of the year. 

First of many controversies is the price.  Yes, price . . . a whopping $499.00 for a phone!  Heck you can get laptops cheaper than this phone!  This phone is like a majority of Apple products — overpriced.

The second issue is the battery.  It is soldered into the circuit board of the phone making replacement difficult and inconvenient to the consumer.

Then there is the bill.  By itemizing every use of the phone, the monthly bill for the iPhone takes a small forest to print.

And don’t forget about that high-tech utility tool that iPhone users get.  It’s a friggin’ paper clip.  So that’s why the phone cost so much!

Another point of contention is that this technological marvel is locked down tighter than Fort Knox.  What do I mean?  Good question.  So, here is the deal . . .  As if the price of the phone isn’t a big enough money maker for Apple, the company decided to have its cake and icing too by signing an exclusive partnership with AT&T cellular.  If you want the phone, you must use AT&T service – like it or not.

The Hacker-Gods have heard the prayers of all Apple owners.  They have unlocked the secrets behind the iPhone.  Just a few days ago, a hacker in New Jersey announced to the world, through a video on You Tube, that he has unlocked the iPhone.  Has this George Hotz unlocked the Rosetta Stone?  Good question.  An AP reporter using a T-Mobile SIM card has confirmed that Hotz has indeed unlocked the phone to make it possible to use it on other cellular phone networks.  WOW!!! 

So what happens next?  I am not too sure, but maybe consumers will now have another choice in provider(s) or even the possibility of the creation of a new cottage industry that is tailored to creating new application for the unlocked iPhone.  I will say it will be interesting to see what Apple and AT&T will do since the secret is out . . .

Batman – Dark Knight Movie Pictures

As the release date gets closer and closer by each passing day for the next Batman movie – The Dark Knight.  New details of the movie are leaking on the net.   Over the last several weeks we had seen details on Batman’s new suit and ride, teaser trailer and now pictures of Heath Leader as the Joker.  Check them out, a far cry from the days of Cesar Romero and Jack Nicholson.  Enjoy!

See you all next time at the same Bat-time and on the same Bat-Channel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remakes in the works – Escape From New York & Enter the Dragon

Well if you have noticed, this season’s summer movies were mainly sequels of old hits that have run their course.  So, this has lead me to one conclusion, Hollywood has hit the wall on original ideas.  Well, I hate to be the barer of bad news, but this trend will continue in the near future.  I mean of instead of sequels, Hollywood is turning to remakes.   Currently in development in Hollywood are two classic remakes – Escape From New York and Enter the Dragon.  Yes, you read it correctly…

I will start with Escape from New York.  Attack of the Show on G4 reported on August 15th that Len Wiseman (director of Live Free or Die Hard & Underworld) has signed on to direct this updated flick.  Gerard Butler from 300 will take on the roll of Snake Plissken.  Ken Nolan will write the scrip, his previous work was Black Hawk Down if you do not reconize his name.  A release date has yet to be announced. 

In case you are not familiar with the movie, Snake Plissken is former war hero is currently a convict that sent into a futuristic Manhattan island super-max penitentiary (yes, New York is now a prison…go figure) to rescue the President of the United States after his plane crashed at the hands of terrorists.

On August 16 2007, Warner Brothers Studios announce they are planning to remake the Bruce Lee classic - Enter the Dragon.  Kurt Sutter (producer of the FX show – The Shield) will direct this version.  Casting for this movie has yet to be announced nor has when the projected release for theaters.  There is even rumor that the title will change a bit to – Awaken the Dragon.

If you are not familiar with the 1973 classic, it is about kung fu fighter that infiltrates an island occupied by a rogue martial artist.  This is the last film Bruce Lee stared in before his death later in 1973.

The Dark Knight Teaser Trailer (Batman)

At this year’s Comic Con in San Diego, attendees were treated with teaser trailer of new Batman movie – The Dark Knight.  The trailer is brief, but does add a few clues on the next installment of Batman and a glimpse of the Joker – Heath Ledger. 

I know this was just a sampling, but Heath Ledger really sounds like the real deal.  I had my reservations about the casting of him, but he sure does sound a lot like Jack Nicholson.  If Heath is ½ as good as Jack, then we are in for a treat.  Here is the link and enjoy the teaser.

http://atasteforthetheatrical.com/deathtrap/default.htm

See you all next time at the same Bat-time and on the same Bat-Channel.

Summer TV Season

In past years the summer TV season has been sort a grave yard for viewers.  Networks have typically used the summer months as a dumping ground for cheap programming like reality shows and first-run shows that were yanked during the season along with reruns of your favorite shows.  As you can see . . .not much worth watching on TV.  If you were like my family, going to the movies and renting DVDs were our escape until the fall television season started.

Well, that has changed recently thanks to cable.  Cable networks like FX, USA Network, HBO, Showtime, Sci-Fi, and TNT have put the traditional networks on notice by running original programming during the summer months.  I know what you thinking, that these new shows are just fillers without any substance to them.  On the contrary, cable networks are producing some of the best show on TV to date – great writing, wonderful dialogue, outstanding acting, and adult/edgy themes.  Take Mad Men (produced by the people who created the Sopranos on HBO) and Rescue Me, both are well-written and well-acted shows, but due to the adult themes these shows would never be seen on the Big Four.  Thankfully cable is not afraid to take that chance.

Cable networks are demonstrating to the traditional networks that audiences will flock to original program on cable if the shows have quality and have unique themes.  For example the Closer on TNT drew 8.8 million viewers for its third season opener.  Wow!!!  Some traditional network shows would kill for numbers like this.  Just imagine if the Closer was on the Big Four…we are talking CSI ratings I bet.  Ratings is just one of many examples of the success of these shows.  Another example would be the amount of Emmys cable has receiving over the last few years for shows like for Shield and Monk to name a few.  Who would have thought that cable could be this good!?!

Any way, I have put together my list of can’t miss shows below.  I would love to hear from you if my list is dead on or if your favorite cable show needs to be added to the list.

Here is my list of can’t miss summer cable shows (in no particular order)

1. Eureka – Sci-Fi Channel
2. Dr. Who - Sci-Fi Channel
3. Mad Men – AMC
4. Burn Notice – USA Network
5. Monk - USA Network
6. Psych – USA Network
7. Rescue Me - FX
8. Army Wives - Lifetime (my wife’s suggestion to this list)
9. Jekyll – BBC America
10. Damages – FX

American Political Dynasties

When the constitution was written, our founding fathers envisioned a new Republic that will be created for the people and by the people.  In setting up this new government, one of the chief architectural plans was the elimination or exclusion of a monarchy.  Instead three forms of government were created with equal powers in a checks and balance format – Legislative, Judicial, and Executive.

The goal was to give the average “Joe” equal representation in the Republic and a sense of empowerment in the direction the country could go.  With the exclusion of a monarch, the evils and disadvantages of having “dynasties” were eliminated from American political process . . .or was it?!?

Since the time Washington took the oath for President on April 30, 1789, in New York, the American political process has seen if fair share of dynasty politics over the years.  With the 2008 Presidential and Congressional elections approaching, I thought I would take a brief moment to look at some of the top dynasties in American Politics since 1789.  Some will surprise you and other will not.  There are other families that I failed to mention due to space issues – du Pont, Breckinridge, Bayard, Clayton, Taft, Walker (related to the Bushes), Gore, Shrivers (related to the Kennedys), and Lincoln.  Will the Clinton’s be part of this list in the near future?  Hmmm… Enjoy!!!

1. Kennedys
   1. John F. Fitzgerald (1863-1950) – US Representative from Massachusetts
   2. Joseph P Kennedy Sr. (1888-1963) – US Ambassador to the UK
   3. John F Kennedy (1917-1963)-35^th President of the United States
   4. Robert F Kennedy (1925-1968) – US Attorney General & US Senator from NY
   5. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend – Lt. Governor of Maryland
   6. Joseph P Kennedy II – US Representative from Massachusetts
   7. Edward M Kennedy (1932) – US Senator from Massachusett
   8. Patrick J Kennedy – US Representative from Rhode Island
2. Roosevelts – family can trace the first entry into politics to Archibald Bulloch (1730-1777 as delegate to the Continental Congress)
   1. James I Roosevelt (1795-1875) – US Representative from New York
   2. Robert B Roosevelt (1829-1906) – US Representative from New York
   3. Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) – 26^th President of the United States
   4. Corinne Douglas Robinson (1886-1971) – Connecticut State Representative
   5. William F Weld – Governor of Massachusett
   6. Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) – First Lady of the United States
   7. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945) – 32^nd President of the United States
   8. Warren Delano Robbins (1185-1935) – US Minster to El Salvador and Canada
   9. James Roosevelt (1907-1991) – US Representative from California
   10. Franklin Delano Roosevelt JR (1914-1988) – US Representative from New York
   11. William Collins Whitney (1841-1904) – US Secretary of the Nav
   12. John Milton Hay (1838-1905) – US Ambassador to UK & US Secretary of State
3. Adams
   1. Samuel Adams (1722-1803) – Signatory of the Declaration of Independence and brewery of great beer
   2. i. Joseph Allen (1749-1827) – US Representative from Massachusett
   3. Charles Allen (1797-1869) – US Representative from Massachusetts
   4. John Adams (1735-1826) – 2^nd President of the United States
   5. i. John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) – 6^th President of the United State
   6. Charles Francis Adams Sr. (1807-1886) – US Representative from Massachusetts
4. Bushes
   1. Samuel P Bush (1863-1948) – Director of the Federal Reserve – Cleveland
   2.  Prescott Bush (1895-1972) – US Senator from Connecticut
   3. George Herbert Walker Bush – 41^st President of the Untied States
   4.  George Walker Bush – 43^rd President of the Untied State
   5. John Ellis “Jeb” Bush – Governor of Florida
5. Rockefellers
   1. i. William Aldrich (1820-1885) – US Representative from Illinois
   2. J. Frank Aldrich (1853-1933) – US Representative from Illinois
   3. Nelson Aldrich (1841-1915) – US Representative from Rhode Island
   4. Richard S Aldrich (1884-1941) – US Representative from Rhode Island
   5. Nelson A Rockefeller (1908-1979) – Governor of New York & Vice-President of the United States
   6. Winthrop Rockefeller (1912-1973) – Governor of Arkansas
   7. Jay Rockefeller – Governor of WVA & US Senator from West Virginia
   8. Charles Percy – US Senator from Illinois
   9. Mark Dayton – US Senator from Minnesot
   10. Win Rockefeller – Lt Governor of Arkansas
6. Washington, Harrison and Lee families (all related by marriage)
   1. i. George Washington (1732-1799) – 1^st President of the United States
   2. Bushrod Washington (1762-1829) – member of the VA House of Delegates & United States Supreme Court associate justice
   3. George Corbin Washington (1789-1854) – US Representative from Maryland
   4. Thomas Lee (1690-1750) – member of the House of Burgesses of VA
   5. Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794) – signer of the US Declaration of Independence & US Senator from Virginia
   6. Samuel Phillips Lee (1812-1897)
   7. Francis Preston Blair Lee (1857-1944) – US Senator from Maryland
   8. Francis Lightfoot Lee (1734-1797) – signer of the US Declaration of Independence
   9. Arthur Lee (1741-1792) – delegate to Continental Congress
   10. Henry Lee III (1756-1818) – Governor of Virginia & US representative from Virginia
   11. Richard Bland Lee (1791-1827) – US Representative from Virginia
   12. Robert E Lee — General of Confederate army of Northern Virginia in the United Sates Civil War
   13. Fitzhugh Lee (1835-1905) – Governor of Virginia
   14. William H. F. Lee (1837-1891) – US Representative from Virginia
   15. Benjamin Harrison V (1726-1791) – signer of the US Declaration of Independence & Governor of Virginia
   16. Carter Bassett Harrison (1758-1808) – US Representative from Virginia
   17. William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) – Governor of Indiana Territory & US Representative from Ohio
   18. John Scott Harrison (1804-1878) – US Representative from Ohio
   19. Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901) – US Senator from Indiana
   20. William Henry Harrison – US Representative from Wyoming
   21. Beverley Randolph (1754-1797) – Governor of Virginia
   22. Burwell Bassett (1764-1841) – US Representative from Virginia
   23. Carter Harrison Sr. (1825-1893) – US Representative from Illinois
   24. Carter Harrison Jr. (1860-1953) – Mayor of Chicago
7.  Franklin, Claiborne, Pell and Boggs Family (all related by marriage)
   1. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) – signer of the Declaration of Independence
   2. William Franklin – Colonial Governor of New Jersey
   3. Thomas Claiborne (1749-1812) – US Representative from Virginia
   4. Franklin Davenport (1755-1832) – US Senator from New Jersey
   5. Alexander James Dallas (1759-1817) – US Secretary of the Treasury
   6. William Charles Cole Claiborne (1775-1817) – US Representative from Tennessee
   7. John Claiborne (1777-1808) – US Representative from Virginia
   8. Nathaniel Herbert Claiborne (1777-1859) – US Representative from Virginia
   9. Thomas Claiborne (1780-1856) – US Representative from Tennessee
   10. George Mifflin Dallas (1792-1864) – US Senator from Pennsylvania
   11. Robert John Walker (1801-1869) – US Senator from Mississippi
   12. John Francis Hamtramck Claiborne (1807-1884) – US Representative from Mississippi
   13. Benjamin Harris Brewster (1816-1888) – US Attorney General
   14. Hebert Claiborne Pell, JR. (1884-1961) – US Representative from New York
   15. Thomas Hale Boggs (1914-1972) – US Representative from Louisiana
   16. Corinne Claiborne Boggs (1916) – US Representative from Louisiana
   17. Claiborne de Borda Pell (1918) – US Senator from Rhode Island

Another Dead Wrestler

In the wake of Chris Benoit, another Pro Wrester has died - Brian “Crush” Adams.  He was 44.  The authorities are reporting that are no visible signs of injury or foul play neither occurred nor suspected.  Hopefully the autopsy will shed some light in his death.

When will the Federal Government look into this industry where death is now becoming as norm as the chiseled bodies these wrestlers posses?  Will more wasted lives need to be lost before not only the government, public, and main stream media realize there is problem with this “entertainment” industry.  Enough is enough!

Ethanol – Boondoggle or savior?

In July 2007, Jeff Goodell wrote an article for Rolling Stone magazine called Ethanol Scam: Ethanol Hurts the Environment and is one of America’s Biggest Political Boondoggles.  In this article Goodell points out several interesting aspects to the Ethanol craze that has not been reported with much conviction by mainstream media. 

Ethanol is bio-fuel that is create from corn, milo, and/or sugar cane which are cleaner to burn and is biodegradable.  Plus it can be American made instead of relying OPEC and Canada for our energy needs.  Goodell feels three things are pushing US toward it:

• 1. Panic – the claim by many energy experts that the world’s oil suppliers have already peaked or will peak within the next decade or two.
• 2. Election-year politics – being a corn-based product and main crop for Iowa (Primary State), the current candidates see this issue as tool to win votes.
• 3. Iraq war – foreign oil profits could land in the hands of terrorist that are killing our troops. Using Ethanol, the American farmer is the hero and is the main soldiers for the war on terror.

Goodell also likes to point out that the production of Ethanol uses an enormous amount of fossil fuels which is hindering the benefit of using Ethanol.  The gains in using Ethanol to decrease Greenhouse gasses are not achievable due to the amount of diesel used to plow the fields and transport the crops to the refineries.  Not to mention the amount of natural gas used to produce fertilizers for the fields creatse runoff that pollutes the ground water and rivers.  Throw in that most of the world’s corn crop will be used in production of Ethanol limiting the amount of corn on the market – corn is used to feed the Third World – and starvation will occur.

Some of Goodell points are plausible and might be legitimate; then again if you read the article you might see he is a bit off his rocker too.  Remember Ethanol is a clean-burning, renewable fuel which is biodegradable.  As technology increases, the cost of production will decrease to make this and other renewable fuels even cheaper to the average American.

However, we should be realists, Ethanol is not the golden goose for our countries energy needs, but a first step.  With the combination of other renewable fuels and energies like nuclear power, we can find a solution to our energy problems while helping the environment and our country.  However our energy dependence issue will not be solved overnight but will take years of research and innovation before we can see our dependence on foreign oil decrease.  But, we need to start somewhere and putting money back into our country by creating jobs, increasing tax revenue, and boosting household income is better than paying OPEC for $77 per barrel of oil (1.40 million barrels of oil are imported each day) which could be used to fund terrorist actions against our citizens.  Where would you like see your dollar go?