Monday, May 24, 2010

Want to Win an AT-AT?


If you just asked the question, “What’s an AT-AT?” Thank you for stopping by. This particular blog posting is NOT for you. No hard feelings, Gentle Reader; I’ll see you next time.

Still here? Good. It is no big secret; I am a geek. If you are a geek too I HIGHLY recommend that you go to: http://www.wired.com/underwire/2010/05/celebrate-empire-strikes-backs-birthday-win-a-killer-at-at/.

“Why?”

I’ll tell you why – to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film, “The Empire Strikes Back”, Wired Magazine is giving away a new version of an old classic – an All Terrain Armored Transport. I have no doubt that you know that these are the weapons the Empire unleashed on the rebel base on Hoth. Yeah, it’s pretty iconic. Epic, dare I say.

“What do I have to do?”

Excellent question! All you have to do is comment about why YOU deserve such a favor. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less.

Here is what I posted…


I’m not alone in saying that “Star Wars” changed my life. Seriously; “Star Wars” made me want to discover stories (in whatever form they materialize) and then, tell them. I think I saw it three times during that summer of 1977. And then George Lucas’s Empire really grew due to the magic of toy merchandizing. My favorite toy was my “Millennium Falcon”. It was choice. It held a slew of figures and had that cool 3D video game table from the movie. Oh yeah, it rocked.

When “The Empire Strikes Back” came out 30 years ago I remember being stunned; immobilized in the theater chair. [Gratuitously Unnecessary Spoiler Alert] How could Darth Vader by Luke’s father?! How is Leia going to rescue Han from Boba Fett? What is Luke going to do without a lightsaber? Why is Lando wearing Han’s hand me downs? [End Unnecessary Spoiler Alert] And then the next wave of toys came. I remember begging for a “Kenner” AT-AT Walker and, low and behold, for my birthday I got one! I loved that thing; it was like a multi-jointed Old Yeller without the rabies and need to go outside. What a great toy. When “Return of the Jedi” came out and I was pleased to see that an AT-AT had a cameo appearance on that forest moon of Endor. AT-AT’s need work too.

Time passed as time always does. I maintained my collection but, by this time, I had to pay the rent. It was a sad day but I sold my entire “Star Wars” collection; all for a roof over our heads (did I mention I was now married? No? Well now you know that too). I sold my childhood that fateful day and winning this “Hasbro” AT-AT would bring a bit of that back.

Say, you guys don’t happen to have an extra Millennium Falcon hanging around, do you?



…There. That wasn’t so bad was it?

Now try your hand at it! However, I must warn you… I have already picked out a space in the Chicken’s Lair where the AT-AT will grace.

Good Luck.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Saturday, May 08, 2010

One Book, One Twitter


This is a great idea – One Book, One Twitter. If all goes well this will become the largest book club the world has ever seen. Check it out for yourself here: http://www.crowdsourcing.com/cs/2010/05/ready-set-read-the-one-book-one-twitter-discussion-schedule.html.

The first book that will be discussed is Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods”; which, by the way, is a great read. Before you hit the library, bookstore or download the ebook get a flavor for the story right here from the publisher: http://browseinside.harpercollins.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780060558123&WT.mc_id=author_AmerGods_FullAccess_022208. This is the first 5 chapters which should get you into the second week before you buy or borrow.

Enjoy the read and enjoy the discussion! Remember, you’ve got to put “#1b1t” at the end of you tweet.

See you in the discussion forum!

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

He's OUT!


I’m not a big sports fan. Movies? Sure. Books? You bet. Baseball? Not so much. While this is true there are moments when even I must take notice. Such moments are frozen in time marked by amazing feats of achievement and skill. These moments bring out the best of what we, as humanity, have to offer. These are shining moments that etch their way into history books and into the hearts of fans and participants too. Times that you look at and say to yourself, “Man, I wish we were there so that the kids could have seen that.” Well, such a moment passed last night. Here are the details: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/sports/pro/baseball&id=7421034

A police officer shot a Phillies fan with a Taser gun in the bottom of the eighth inning. The kid (17) had jumped the fence and was evading the guards so the officer did the obvious, most logical thing and shot him in front of the sell out crowd. His electrified and twitching body an example to all who never believed that a police officer could get an out in the bottom of the eighth; marking the very first time that a Taser was used to subdue a spectator who ran onto the field.

Streakers beware.

Once he regains conciseness the kid is going to be charged with criminal trespass, related offenses and for wearing a Phillies tee shirt while spasming on the field.

Ma, apple pie & baseball… Man, I love ‘em!