Dah Dah Dah Dum (snap) (snap)

Dah Dah Dah Dum (snap) (snap)

They’re creepy and they’re kooky

Mysterious and spooky ….

We all instantly know that song. It’s the classic theme from televisions “Addams Family” comedy. Writer Vic Mizzy ( 93) died yesterday. He was no stranger to tv songwriting. I am sure you can remember with equal ease the song for tv’s “Green Acres”.

But it’s the Addams Family theme that I catch myself humming most often. Mizzy was not a stranger to the music charts either. Having written top hits for Dean Martin, Doris Day, Perry Como and Billie Holiday in the 40’s and 50’s. If that was too far before your time you might be surprised he also had a song on the sound track for the “SpiderMan II” and “Spiderman III” movies. His family said he stayed busy until his last days.

Tonight I plan an Addams Family ( tv version ) mini marathon in his honor. And don’t be surprised if tomorrow you hear me singing:

Green Acres is the place to be

Farm living is the life for me

Land spreading out so far and wide

Keep Manhattan just gimme that country side.

Tuesday was a glorious day around here. The sun was out and the temperature was absolutely perfect. I was excited to get outside.

Around 11:45 I met the most beautiful woman in the world, my wife, downtown at Jax New Orleans Bistro for lunch. Jax is an interesting place in that they have two locations. One for regular days and one for special nights and so on. I don't understand it, but I guess it doesn't matter. Whatever their business strategy, their food strategy is killer. Lip smacking good, with a New Orleans, Jazz band / Cajun like flair.

Anyway my honey and I arrived at the same time and were seated. Obviously we just beat the lunch rush, because we were the only customers there. But by the time our food arrived the place was filling up. Jax gives a birthday discount during the month of your special day with a percentage off equal to your age. So I was grinning at the deal I was about to receive. I guess that is ONE advantage of advancing time. Warning : If you comment that before long, they will be paying me to eat there, I will hunt you down and thrash you with a leftover 'scetti noodle.

I ordered a Cajun style bacon burger with blue cheese crumbles. With a pasta salad instead of fries. Oh my my ... I am at a loss for words. Kristie had the Jax house special burger. The thing were so big that around half of each came home in a to-go box. It was a great meal. Plus as I said, it was made extra special, dining with my lovely wife.

Before lunch I had only two stops. Pop in at the Post Office to pick-up my mail and send a package of forms off. And most importantly, stopping at Best Buy to get my copy of the three disc collectors edition of the latest James Bond dvd, "Quantum of Solice"

It's Pretty easy to figure out how I spent my evening.

Can anyone guess what comes out on video tomorrow?

The store opens at 10.

A copy should be in my hot little hands by 10:02.

Chipmunks Rule !!!!

Who can guess how I spent my evening ?

Jason Bourne is still on the run.

Looks like they are committed to a fourth Bourne film.




But it may be another year before the filming starts.

Good thing too since the late author Robert Ludlum penned only three

bestselling novels about the amnesiac secret agent.

There have been however two sequels by Eric Van Lustbader, The

Bourne Legacy and The Bourne Betrayal, but they may not form the basis for the next story.



Still the writers have time and hopefully they will come up with a worthy plot line.

I have a 25 plus year tradition of watching the new James Bond movies on opening day. “Quantum of Solace” the 22nd or 23rd Bond Flick depending on your method of accounting. Some fans don't include "Never Say Never Again" which was made by a rival company yet still starred Sean Connery as James Bond.

“Quantum of Solace” is a direct sequel to the previous film Casino Royale, the first sequel ever for 007. It picks up just minutes after the final scene of Casino Royale and follows Bond who is on the trail of the organization and people behind the events of that story and the ones who are responsible for the death of Vesper.

As is my full tradition I always see the movie again within a few days. I plan to attend another screening next week. I'll hold off on a full review until then.

Ultimatum" was mired with this style and now it seems Bond has caught it too. Of course a lot of the people involved in But I do have one observation and comment. I know it is an action film, and action films require action, but why is it Hollywood is so fascinated with the fast-paced hand held filming with choppy edits? It's hard to watch and impossible to follow the action. The otherwise fantastic "BourneBourne were involved with “Quantum of Solace”. It did not ruin the movie but in my opinion it did not improve it. “Quantum of Solace” was a much faster paced 007 story. Some of that is understandable given the revengeful thoughts and rage Bond wrestles with. Still at only an hour and three quarters it clocks in as one of the shorter Bond movies. Maybe they should have made closer to the two hours and 15 minute Bond flick average and used the extra time with back story and fleshing out some of the excellent characters they created.

All in all I love it. Daniel Craig is a fantastic Bond and has both the action skills and the action look to pull off a true 007 adventure.

Go see it !!

Less than twelve hours remain


....UNTIL

Ahoy!! Be lending an open ear ye scurvy dogs, says me.

Our favorite swash-buckling of off-beat pirate Captain Jack Sparrow is returning once again.
Disney pictures confirmed they had signed agreements with actor Johnny Depp to film "Pirates 4"

The previous three installments of Capt’ Jacks adventures have become a phenomenon worldwide and have earned over $ 2.6 billion (dollars) so far.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. Argh !!!!

This is a total repost... I would have missed it this year but for my friend. Thanks ¡Ludicrious! for reminding me.



Today is International Talk Like A Pirate Day.

That means today is our chance to say Arrrr and wear snappy outfits like Capt. Jack. So today it's time to show you inner swashbuckler

The whole idea of Talk Like A Pirate Day started as a joke between friends in the 90's. Then Dave Barry got involved with a story and it took off from there. Add in the success of the Pirate movies and here we are. With an International Talk Like a Pirate Day (TLAPD).

Ahoy mates, hoist the m'sail and set a watch....there be Pirates in these waters. Arrrrr!

I finally found time in the evening to go see Iron Man. Kristie was meeting her friends for their monthly “Girls Night” so I headed off to the cinema.

Iron Man (the movie) is based on the comic book adventures of hero Tony Stark. Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and gifted engineer who builds an armored suit that enables him to become a technologically advanced superhero, nicked-named (incorrectly by the press) Iron Man.

Stark, a billionaire lives in a dream home / shop/ lab at Malibu. He spends little day to day time at his company other than through his personal assistant Pepper Potts, played by Gwyneth Paltrow. In the movie there is a growing love interest between them, causing them to struggle separating business and personal life.

Stark lives alone except for the company of J.A.R.V.I.S.; Stark's robot butler, systems controller and computer which assist him in the construction and programming of the Iron Man suit.

Jeff Bridges plays the villainous Obadiah Stane, the second-in-command at Stark Industries. Stane, who wants control of the company, will stop at nothing, even Starks murder to get it.

The film has been in development since 1990. And the results are great. Particularly Downey's performance. The film's major stars have signed on for two sequels, the first of them scheduled for release on April 30, 2010, and Downey also cameos as Stark in the upcoming The Incredible Hulk.

Here is a quick plot outline:(Spoilers)

• During a business trip to Afghanistan to demonstrate Stark Industries' new weapon Stark is kidnapped by the terrorist group who order him to build them weapons.
• Instead, he secretly builds a crude powered armor suit fueled by a miniature "arc reactor".
• The arc reactor also supplies an electromagnet which prevents some embedded shrapnel from killing him.
• After his escape aided by the suit, Stark reconsiders his life, and his attitude about the building of weapons.
• This change in direction angers the evil Stane who has been supplying weapons to both the U.S. troops and the terrorists groups, playing both sides.
• Stark builds a more powerful and reliable mini-arc reactor and suit. Along the way learning the truth about Stane's intentions.
• Stane has the company (without Stark) build a larger seemingly more powerful suit for himself using Starks plans which he found.
• They do battle. (I am not giving the ending away here.)

"Leatherheads" opens today The romantic comedy which was filmed in and around Anderson, makes it’s debut at the movies. Will I see myself or landmarks I know? The Calhoun Historic Lofts were the main area filmed in town. Also scenes were filmed in Greenville including Westin Poinsett Hotel. "Leatherheads" stars George Clooney and Renee Zellweger a film about pro football set in 1926 when unlike college, pro ball was like mudwrestling --- dirty and sleazy. It’s about guys who never practiced but got together once a week to “play”. Which is actually to say they got together at $50 a game, to fight and beat each other into submission. Any for the past months movie star sightings have been frequent and the community has been abuzz. Remember learned about it here first.

I love music / concert DVD's And you know I am a music and stereo fanatic, so you can understand why I have my DVD player hooked in to my sound system. This evening when Kristie got home I was rockin' out to a concert DVD by the Canadian Progressive Band Saga. When I say rockin' out I mean earth shaking LOUD.

Usually I turn it down to a mere floor rattling level if she is home Tonight when she came in I stopped the video, but for some reason left the system on.

After dinner she and I wanted to watch an episode of Home Improvement also on DVD. Have you ever heard the theme song with big speakers ?
It is Awesome. There are some bass notes in there that caused the mail box to rattle and it is a few hundred yards outside.

YES !!

BTW doesn't that show have the best transitional graphics ever?

HuhhRRRRrrrh !!!

There's no need to fear ... Underdog is here.
I watched this again last night.

You should see it

Awesome !!

Speed of Lightning...Roar of Thunder

Previous Underdog Post

I love spy stories. James Bond in particular. I am a fanatic about 007.

One of the greatest things to happen to the franchise was the re-boot with the movie “Casino Royale”. In my opinion bringing Bond back closer to reality was the right move. Though I was nervous when he was announced as the 6^th actor to play the secret agent, I loved Daniel Craig as a young brash James Bond.

For the first time in James Bond film history the next film is going to be a direct continuation of the story line in “Casino Royale”. “Quantum Of Solace” literally picks up five minutes later and features a number of returning characters. “M”, “ Mathis”, Felix Leiter” and introduces a few new ones. “ Mr. Greene”, played by the great Mathieu Amalric, “Camille” played by Olga Kurylenko , “General Medrano” played by Joaquin Cosio.

----- SPOILER ALERT------

A plot outline follows

After falling in love with and then being betrayed by Vesper ( who had no choice ) 007 has to fight the urge to make it personal. The interrogation of “Mr. White” (Jesper Christensen) makes it clear the organization behind the events of “Casino Royale” is far more complex and dangerous than anyone had imagined.

Links to a bank account in Haiti brings Bond together with Camille who is running her own vendetta. Camille then leads Bond straight to Dominic Greene, who turns out to be a major force within the mysterious organization.

Globe hopping the world, chasing leads Bond learns that Greene, is trying to take control of one of the world’s most important natural resources. In a deal with the exiled General Medrano, Greene promises an overthrow an existing regime giving the General control of the Latin American country in exchange for a seemingly barren piece of land.

As Bond tries to uncover the truth he allies with old friends to keep one step ahead of the CIA, the terrorists and even M, while unraveling Greene’s sinister plan and stop his organization. Treachery, murder and deceit abound.

-----END SPOILER -----

The film is scheduled for release Nov 7^th 261 days and counting.

Can you tell I am excited?

I beat Chuck Norris !!


When I came in tonight I had a message on my machine. It was Chuck Norris. Yes the Chuck Norris aka Walker Texas Ranger.

Maybe you got one too. It was a recording inviting me to attend a political rally in Clemson. Still it's not every day you hear from a legend.

The call reminded me of one of my claim to fame stories. Honest, it is completely true.

I beat Chuck Norris !!

Ok it was a long time ago. As you know I went to high school in Southern California and we were on a band trip to a little tourist place called Japanese Village and Deer Park. It's a cute little replica of a village complete with petting zoo.
In those days Chuck Norris was yet to become the mega Hollywood star and still ran a string of Karate schools. He also was a semi-regular at the place giving demonstrations.

Our gang of musically inclined school kids, the MVHS marching band, was there and Chuck made the mistake of asking for a volunteer. I got shoved into being it by my trouble making fellow drum section buddies.He was at the part where he shows how he disarms a robber. He then gives me a wooden cutout that looked roughly like a semi-auto pistol. My instructions were to hold it out pointed at his back and say " stick 'em up". Chuck was then going to take the gun from my hand before I could even blink. He did not know I was well motivated and trying to impress a certain cute flute player.

So I pointed the gun and prepared to say my line. In theory Chuck Norris was going to... with a swift spinning turn and kick, knock the gun away then follow-up by grabbing me and taking control. I was supposed to say "BANG" when I saw him move. But by then he said it would be too late as I would no longer have the gun.

I uttered my line ...." stick 'em up", and the six time world champion quickly spun around in a blur and hit my wrist with his foot. But I held on to the gun by some quirk of fate. As the room settled and Chuck stopped moving I said in a loud slow voice
" B A N G "
The room fell apart and even Chuck had to laugh. He then went on to explain that was why you should "NEVER try this yourself".

So I had beaten the best. A man who was 65-6 life time. Arguably the best in the world. I had beaten CHUCK NORRIS. ( did I make him 65 -7 ?)

BTW , Chuck is an outspoken Christan and has written several great books. Such as "The Justice Riders", "Against All Odds" and "The Secret of Inner Strength".

You should read one sometime.

And yes. If the roads are ok I will be at the rally.

The name has been announced....
The next James Bond movie 22 ( 23 * ) will be named
Quantum of Solice.

Here is a sneak preview of the new movie poster.

Can't wait !!!

313 days

*= by my count it will be Bond 23 but officially they don't count
Never Say Never Again since it was made by a rival production company

Avast ye Landlubbers Thar be Pirates in me house.

Beware !

Don't be Lily-livered ye Scallywags for nay 5 Doubloons ye shall wi' a vengeance and be a sendin' to Davy Jones' Locker like Scurvy dogs!

Or be ye Keelhauled

Arrrrgh !!!

'Rocket Man'

Evel Knievel lived an exciting life, but it took its toll.

Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel was 69. But it wasn't one of his stunts that cost Evel Knievel his life... it was all of them. Riddled with scars from his many attempted daredevil feats, Knievel's health had failed him the past few years. He suffered from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, that had scarred his lungs.

Knievel underwent a liver transplant in 1999 after nearly dying of hepatitis C -- which he believed he contracted through a blood transfusion from an earlier injury. He had also suffered two strokes in recently.

He will be missed especially during the annual "Evel Knievel Days" festival in Butte, Montana, his home town

I never met "Evel Knievel ", but I did actually meet his son Robbie who at one time was following in his footsteps doing motorcycle stunts.

In April this year, Knievel announced that he "believed in Jesus Christ" for the first time. He professed his personal faith in Christ at services in the Crystal Cathedral in California.

I think I will watch this movie tonight.
Join me !

Only four more days !!!!!

Countdown to Bourne 11 Dec 07

The Bourne Ultimatum

13 days to go

This would make a nice Christmas gift .....hint Hint