Say Evil Chicken – what do you like on the radio?
Ah Gentle Reader, I can say with no stutter or doubt in my mind; NOT MUCH. I made mention of my dislike (disdain is more like it) for broadcast top 40 radio in general (see “DON’T TOUCH ME!” 6/30/07). I said that these days I am into talk radio; specifically New Jersey 101.5 (97.3 if you’re in the Swamps of South Jersey) here in the Garden State. While this holds true I’ve had the good fortune of discovering a few things on the radio that I have as presets. With I hint of OCD I like to keep the stations from lowest to highest – ascending order. So let’s press button # 1
Preset 1, I owe to two wonderful ladies; Bella Candy and Zelda Parker, they both highly recommended (and I highly agree) WXPN 88.5 FM as Wikipedia says is a “public radio station operated by the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.” The call letters stand for “Experimental Pennsylvania Network” and they play adult album alternative music or, in other words, this is where the musicians have found a harbor and the melody still means something. Good stuff.
Preset 2, the mighty New Jersey 101.5 FM (which is 97.3 in my neck of the woods and therefore preset # 2). Dennis and Judy and now the new version of “The Jersey Guys” in the afternoons with Ray Rossi and Casey Bartholomew make the day move along. For those of you who are wondering whatever happened to Craig Carton, he has taken over for Don Imus in New York leaving New Jersey for greener pastures and Ray Rossi and the rest of the crew behind. “Casey” is his replacement and, so it goes, the same man that Carton replaced back in 2002; is filling in until the next Jersey Guy is found.
Preset 3, WPOV Calvary Chapel of Vineland, The Vine 99.9 FM, is contemporary Christian radio; great music and teaching. I dig it and find it refreshing. When it comes to walking the straight and narrow I need all the help I can get. Give it a shot; it’s worth checking out.
Preset 4, WMGK 102.9 is a classic rock format that is quite familiar to anyone who has grown up here in the Delaware Valley over the last 30 or so years. Many of the DJs did their rounds on the great stations of the seventies and eighties such as John DeBella, Debbi Calton and Andre Gardner. For me this has been and always will be the sound of Philadelphia.
Preset 5, WRFF Radio 104.5 FM is alternative rock – the stuff that you will not hear on top 40. Beastie Boys to the White Stripes and most things that you wouldn’t expect on the radio in between. It’s not as peaceful as WXPN but sometimes that’s just what you (or at least yours truly does) want; eclectic alternative music that you beat your steering wheel like a drum kit to. This station has made me feel younger than I am these days.
That’s it. No more presets on Evil Chicken’s radio.
Happy Listening!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Second Chances (and Why I'm Not a Sports Guy)
I’m not a sports guy. I think this is due to the fact that I was part of a generation of people with a hip disorder (Legg-Calve-Perthes) that, at the time, was treated with casting and immobilization; in other words, Gentle Reader, yours truly was in leg casts for three months and a leg brace for nine. I missed some school and when I did go back I could only get onto “the short bus”. Yes – THAT short bus. The other children would line up to watch their new quadruped (two splayed legs and a pair of crutches) classmate descend via a hydraulic lift and inquire, “Are you retarded?” No big deal, although to this day I wonder why they continued ask every single day I arrived as if expecting my answer to change. Every now and then I’d switch up.
“Are you retarded?”
“Yeah, I’m feeling a little retarded today. Tomorrow’s looking a little better though.”
Good times… good times.
Break out the violins? Nope, I view that time as something that truly shaped my life. You see even when I was able to get out of the braces I still required the crutches. After the crutches were gone I was not allowed to participate in gym class and I was never allowed to participate in organized sports. Not only did this give me the Rubenesque physique I have today but it taught me early insight into human nature of both those around me and my own. The experience taught me how to escape and to get lost in books and in movies. Hey, I couldn’t participate in organized sports but I could go toe to toe with anyone when it came to the concept of the construct of a story or a film.
Behold the birth of a Geek! Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.
But enough about me. I tell you this tale because I think that Michael Vick should be allowed to return to the NFL. Yep, that’s right; he should return to playing football. Why? Well, I liked what he said in the apology (I’m gonna paraphrase since it’s a sports report and for reasons already mentioned – ergo it’s not my bag) about being sorry for the inhumanity and for letting down so many children who look up to a guy like him. He also said something about paying his debt and reiterated that he was sorry. R.L.White said, "As a society, we should aid in his rehabilitation and welcome a new Michael Vick back into the community without a permanent loss of his career in football We (NAACP’s Atlanta chapter) further ask the NFL, Falcons, and the sponsors not to permanently ban Mr. Vick from his ability to bring hours of enjoyment to fans all over this country."
I like the concept of second chances.
A friend of mine has desperately wanted to run with the bulls in Pampalona Spain for the last twenty years or so. One of these days he’ll get there. He wants to participate in an event that traces it’s roots back to the 13th century. It has become a major part of the culture of the region. Once the bulls are run from the pen to the stadium the majority of them are killed. Bullfighting is big in Spain. It certainly got a shot in the arm when Hemingway wrote, “The Sun Also Rises”.
In South/East Asia, Pakistan, the Philippians, India, Mexico, Venezuela & other parts of South America and the Caribbean cock fighting is accepted as commonplace entertainment; again going back thousands of years. The founding fathers George Washington and Thomas Jefferson enjoyed the sport right here in the United States. Irish and the English brought over their favorite fighting breeds. It was illegal in 49 states until June 27, 2007, when the Louisiana legislature voted to ban cockfighting. The last domino fell. Now it is completely underground. Deemed a crime by our culture.
Speaking of the good ole’ U.S. of A, how about dog racing, horse racing, hunting, fishing and (let us cross another line and throw human’s into the mix) Boxing. These are all sports where a living thing is used, victimized or brutalized – no? Now of all of them I’d have to say that the one that involves HUMAN BEINGS is the scariest. Chickens (present company excluded), dogs, horses, deer and fish just don’t hold as much weight for yours truly. When a boxer dies in the ring it gets my attention in a way that a chicken does not. A human is dead. It resonates on my conscience more.
This is not to say that I endorse dog or cock fighting, I find them both too brutal a spectacle where everyday survival and living are brutal enough fights. I don’t hunt but have no problem with those who do. I enjoy venison. Would I run with the bulls? No. I’m a coward; besides someone has to hold the camera. I’ve never bet on a dog race but this is probably due to the fact that I have no idea where the nearest stadium is. I think the Three Chicks would love it (although I’m still perplexed at how tiny the jockeys must be). Fishing? Please – I’m from down the shore, I grew up fishing and crabbing. Horse racing? Before the Atlantic City Racetrack practically closed I LOVED having a cheep cigar in one hand and a racing form in the other.
Good times… good times.
Evil Chicken – just what are you getting at? Well what can we take from this gentle reader? You now know why I’m not a sports fan, that I believe after Michael Vick has done his sentence he should be allowed to play again in the NFL, that I enjoy Wikipedia way too much for my own good and you could say my favorite sports revolve around things that I can either bet on or eat.
Yeah, that’s about right.
BTW, I don’t count Geocaching as a sport – it’s more of a pastime; although we do eat well.
“Are you retarded?”
“Yeah, I’m feeling a little retarded today. Tomorrow’s looking a little better though.”
Good times… good times.
Break out the violins? Nope, I view that time as something that truly shaped my life. You see even when I was able to get out of the braces I still required the crutches. After the crutches were gone I was not allowed to participate in gym class and I was never allowed to participate in organized sports. Not only did this give me the Rubenesque physique I have today but it taught me early insight into human nature of both those around me and my own. The experience taught me how to escape and to get lost in books and in movies. Hey, I couldn’t participate in organized sports but I could go toe to toe with anyone when it came to the concept of the construct of a story or a film.
Behold the birth of a Geek! Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.
But enough about me. I tell you this tale because I think that Michael Vick should be allowed to return to the NFL. Yep, that’s right; he should return to playing football. Why? Well, I liked what he said in the apology (I’m gonna paraphrase since it’s a sports report and for reasons already mentioned – ergo it’s not my bag) about being sorry for the inhumanity and for letting down so many children who look up to a guy like him. He also said something about paying his debt and reiterated that he was sorry. R.L.White said, "As a society, we should aid in his rehabilitation and welcome a new Michael Vick back into the community without a permanent loss of his career in football We (NAACP’s Atlanta chapter) further ask the NFL, Falcons, and the sponsors not to permanently ban Mr. Vick from his ability to bring hours of enjoyment to fans all over this country."
I like the concept of second chances.
A friend of mine has desperately wanted to run with the bulls in Pampalona Spain for the last twenty years or so. One of these days he’ll get there. He wants to participate in an event that traces it’s roots back to the 13th century. It has become a major part of the culture of the region. Once the bulls are run from the pen to the stadium the majority of them are killed. Bullfighting is big in Spain. It certainly got a shot in the arm when Hemingway wrote, “The Sun Also Rises”.
In South/East Asia, Pakistan, the Philippians, India, Mexico, Venezuela & other parts of South America and the Caribbean cock fighting is accepted as commonplace entertainment; again going back thousands of years. The founding fathers George Washington and Thomas Jefferson enjoyed the sport right here in the United States. Irish and the English brought over their favorite fighting breeds. It was illegal in 49 states until June 27, 2007, when the Louisiana legislature voted to ban cockfighting. The last domino fell. Now it is completely underground. Deemed a crime by our culture.
Speaking of the good ole’ U.S. of A, how about dog racing, horse racing, hunting, fishing and (let us cross another line and throw human’s into the mix) Boxing. These are all sports where a living thing is used, victimized or brutalized – no? Now of all of them I’d have to say that the one that involves HUMAN BEINGS is the scariest. Chickens (present company excluded), dogs, horses, deer and fish just don’t hold as much weight for yours truly. When a boxer dies in the ring it gets my attention in a way that a chicken does not. A human is dead. It resonates on my conscience more.
This is not to say that I endorse dog or cock fighting, I find them both too brutal a spectacle where everyday survival and living are brutal enough fights. I don’t hunt but have no problem with those who do. I enjoy venison. Would I run with the bulls? No. I’m a coward; besides someone has to hold the camera. I’ve never bet on a dog race but this is probably due to the fact that I have no idea where the nearest stadium is. I think the Three Chicks would love it (although I’m still perplexed at how tiny the jockeys must be). Fishing? Please – I’m from down the shore, I grew up fishing and crabbing. Horse racing? Before the Atlantic City Racetrack practically closed I LOVED having a cheep cigar in one hand and a racing form in the other.
Good times… good times.
Evil Chicken – just what are you getting at? Well what can we take from this gentle reader? You now know why I’m not a sports fan, that I believe after Michael Vick has done his sentence he should be allowed to play again in the NFL, that I enjoy Wikipedia way too much for my own good and you could say my favorite sports revolve around things that I can either bet on or eat.
Yeah, that’s about right.
BTW, I don’t count Geocaching as a sport – it’s more of a pastime; although we do eat well.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Populous
56,271 Vineland NJ
31,473 Bangor ME
22 million, NY City
162,683, South Philly PA
5.8 million, Philadelphia PA
79,589, Monroe County FL., the Florida Keys
3,849,378, Los Angeles CA
709,893, Austin TX
1.2 million (post Katrina) New Orleans LA
4,034 year rounders, 100,000 seasonals, Cape May NJ
271,015, Atlantic City NJ (including Ventnor, Margate and Long Port)
185,951, Orlando FL
7,173, Ocean City Maryland
582,454, Seattle Washington (3.3 million metorpolitan)
My my my… Where to relocate after hitting the lottery? Goodness… the possiblities are endless.
Ready for some confessions? I hate people but I’m passionate about individuals. Yep, yours truly is at his heart of hearts someone who wants no neighbors and is, therefore, able to flip burgers in his underwear on the ole’ Webber grill. NOTE; the underwear is still a caveat since the three chicks are still in the nest. When they are in college naked BBQ is in my future.
Life is good. But I digress.
I compiled the above list because I felt like it. You see, I’m from the swamps of New Jersey and I live in a little hamlet of only about 7,436 souls and I find it interesting that the nearby metropolis of Vineland NJ has more of a populace then Steven King’s hometown of Bangor Maine and that Philly PA, where one of the three chicks had major spinal surgery is only the fifth largest city in the good ole’ U.S. of A. South Philly (EC’s favorite section) is outnumbered by Austin TX., almost 6 to 1! Yowsa.
Interesting demographics, no?
I post this only for your consideration, Gentle Reader. I hope you enjoy the data!
31,473 Bangor ME
22 million, NY City
162,683, South Philly PA
5.8 million, Philadelphia PA
79,589, Monroe County FL., the Florida Keys
3,849,378, Los Angeles CA
709,893, Austin TX
1.2 million (post Katrina) New Orleans LA
4,034 year rounders, 100,000 seasonals, Cape May NJ
271,015, Atlantic City NJ (including Ventnor, Margate and Long Port)
185,951, Orlando FL
7,173, Ocean City Maryland
582,454, Seattle Washington (3.3 million metorpolitan)
My my my… Where to relocate after hitting the lottery? Goodness… the possiblities are endless.
Ready for some confessions? I hate people but I’m passionate about individuals. Yep, yours truly is at his heart of hearts someone who wants no neighbors and is, therefore, able to flip burgers in his underwear on the ole’ Webber grill. NOTE; the underwear is still a caveat since the three chicks are still in the nest. When they are in college naked BBQ is in my future.
Life is good. But I digress.
I compiled the above list because I felt like it. You see, I’m from the swamps of New Jersey and I live in a little hamlet of only about 7,436 souls and I find it interesting that the nearby metropolis of Vineland NJ has more of a populace then Steven King’s hometown of Bangor Maine and that Philly PA, where one of the three chicks had major spinal surgery is only the fifth largest city in the good ole’ U.S. of A. South Philly (EC’s favorite section) is outnumbered by Austin TX., almost 6 to 1! Yowsa.
Interesting demographics, no?
I post this only for your consideration, Gentle Reader. I hope you enjoy the data!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Time is the Fire
So Evil Chicken – whatever happened to that Bradbury Challenge of yours – you remember that don’t you? You were going to write 52 short stories in a year. What’s the deal?Now there’s an interesting question. It has been said that “time is the fire in which we burn”. Brother, ain’t it the truth. There never is enough time. I’ve got 99 projects in my mind at any given moment – maybe that’s an exaggeration; 92 is more like it. I’m always moving from one thing to the next, rapid succession – you set ‘em up and I’ll knock ‘em down. I’ve got ideas but I’ve also got ADD and am prone to be captivated by bright and shinny objects.
The simple truth is that The Bradbury Challenge is not finished. I continue to love writing short stories but my first compilation is not done yet.
I’ll let you know when it is.
Most recently my time has been devoted to another project that I really can’t go into too much detail in right now. But that too has succumbed to the ravages of time. Gentle reader, I’ll fill you in when the time is right and now ain’t that time.
So… what’s next?
Good question Gentle Reader. I do believe that you’ll be seeing me a great deal more than you have grown accustom to. Also I have unfinished business to attend to. The Bradbury Challenge awaits (as well as a novel and the unnamed project).
What can I say – I’m a hack. But I’m a hack with a good memory. It’s put up or shut up time for ole’ Evil Chicken. I’ve got the ideas but I need to work on my follow through. It’s time to dance.
That being said I’m adapting one of my short stories “No Returns” into a screenplay. I think it would make a good short film. Once that’s done I’ll start peddling it.
Hey, no problem – it’s just another idea…
Monday, August 20, 2007
The Rumors of my Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated.
Words quietly uttered; whispers on the wind.Has Evil Chicken deserted the Nest? Is it possible that he’s found greener pastures or perhaps been taken into captivity? Is there no balm in Gilead?
Gentle Reader, I beg your forgiveness. I have been away tending to pressing matters that (one day) I will share with you. Until then know that Evil Chicken is alive, well and happy. There has been much Pandemonium recently but it is all good.
By way of travel, most recently the EC-5 attended a photo shoot in front of the Aletsch Glacier. It was like the one in Mexico City a few months back. Once again I’m the one in the third row about eight people deep from the lower right hand corner of the picture.
I don’t know if it will help global warming but I can say that it was a cold day in Aletsch!
Talk to you soon.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Pilgrimage to Mecca
One day, Gentle Reader – one day I too will make the journey to the holy of holies of all geekdom the Mecca of pop culture the San Diego Comic Con International.
http://www.comic-con.org/
It’s happening right now out in California and one day I’m gonna be there. This is the 900 lb. Gorilla of ALL. If you have any interest in comics, writing, drawing, filmmaking or appreciating any of the aforementioned then this is where the buck stops. Someday I too will make the pilgrimage. That day however, was not today and the weekend is looking iffy. I’ll just have to comfort myself with reports that are coming in from all over the internet. As it turns out Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford, Karen Allen had a teleconference with a roomful of rabid fanboys and media types, part of the cast (including two Spocks – yes one is Leonard Nimoy) were on hand to field questions, the cast of LOST & 4400, voice actors, writing & filmmaking workshops and the revelation of the cast of the WATCHMEN.
Let’s let that sink in a moment… the WATCHMEN. For those of you who understand the magnitude of that statement know that the work is in good hands – Zack Snyder is at the helm. For those of you who do not, please forgive a little fanboy raving… the WATCHMEN is going to be on the big screen and handled by the same man responsible for 300. For those of you who may think that a comic book undeserves of such veneration please note that Time magazine named WATCHMEN one of the top 100 modern novels since 1923. Amazing stuff that changed an industry and the way people viewed comic books.
Yeah so all this stuff happened on Friday – the weekend is just getting started. It’s a good time to be a geek.
Two out of the three chicks are very interested in sequential storytelling and video game design. Such a venue would be invaluable to them as well. My goal is to be able to legitimately write off the trip to the next San Diego Comic Con International on my taxes due to normal business expenditures.
http://www.comic-con.org/
It’s happening right now out in California and one day I’m gonna be there. This is the 900 lb. Gorilla of ALL. If you have any interest in comics, writing, drawing, filmmaking or appreciating any of the aforementioned then this is where the buck stops. Someday I too will make the pilgrimage. That day however, was not today and the weekend is looking iffy. I’ll just have to comfort myself with reports that are coming in from all over the internet. As it turns out Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford, Karen Allen had a teleconference with a roomful of rabid fanboys and media types, part of the cast (including two Spocks – yes one is Leonard Nimoy) were on hand to field questions, the cast of LOST & 4400, voice actors, writing & filmmaking workshops and the revelation of the cast of the WATCHMEN.
Let’s let that sink in a moment… the WATCHMEN. For those of you who understand the magnitude of that statement know that the work is in good hands – Zack Snyder is at the helm. For those of you who do not, please forgive a little fanboy raving… the WATCHMEN is going to be on the big screen and handled by the same man responsible for 300. For those of you who may think that a comic book undeserves of such veneration please note that Time magazine named WATCHMEN one of the top 100 modern novels since 1923. Amazing stuff that changed an industry and the way people viewed comic books.
Yeah so all this stuff happened on Friday – the weekend is just getting started. It’s a good time to be a geek.
Two out of the three chicks are very interested in sequential storytelling and video game design. Such a venue would be invaluable to them as well. My goal is to be able to legitimately write off the trip to the next San Diego Comic Con International on my taxes due to normal business expenditures.
One just never knows.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Harry Potter – SPOILER FREE
When was the last time you saw people children and adults alike salivate for a book to be released? Yes, that’s right – a BOOK; in this day and age. And what an age it is… DVD’s, the mindless onslaught of television & media, video games, cell phones, MP3 players and the vast expanse of the internet while indispensable to our world in this day and age have pandered to our short attention span lifestyles. I find it awesome that a book - just words on a page can still command and captivate the world’s attention.
The story is alive no matter what format it takes; in the case of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter – the story is served in the form of a seven volume series of novels. Book seven “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” was released on July 21, 2007, and we (the Evil Chicken 5 [-1] and another member of our family who lives in New York – Bat Monkey) were there at 12:01 AM, to watch the event unfold. The local Boarders had a Harry Potter Party. They had sold 1,200 advanced copies of the book all of them with color coated wrist straps (ours was silver) showed up at once. This is why we were there to be caught up in the magic of the evening to share the release of the LAST EVER excursion to Hogwarts to witness the great debate of just where Professor Snape’s allegiances lie, the costume contest and to see who would win the autographed poster of the newest and last ever Harry Potter cover. Sure I could buy it at Wal-Mart tomorrow but why? We were surrounded on all sides by people who have been seduced and captivated by the literature of the day and literature is the right word. Gentle Reader we may pass through time but Harry Potter is now timeless taking his rightful place next to Gandalf the Grey, Gandalf the White and Merlin – still speaking in a literary frame mind you. There will never be another and we were there to participate in the festivities and to watch it unfold. Possession of a silver wrist band ensured that you were part of the second major wave of individuals to purchase their copy of the book.
We were out of the store at about 12:40 in the morning, books in hand and eager to read. Mother Hen and Bat Monkey stayed up to about 5:00 AM reading their copies; both of them finished the text within about 12 hours. Such was not the case with yours truly. I’m a slower reader than they are and I finished it yesterday.
Wow.
I’m not going to say if Harry lives or dies or comment on the body count but I can say that print is not dead and because of that the world is a much more magical place. If you are so inclined to do so read the entire series – you will not be disappointed. J.K. Rowling has proven herself to be so much more than meets the eye. Now she too has gained literary immortality and it is justly deserved.
Mischief Managed.
The story is alive no matter what format it takes; in the case of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter – the story is served in the form of a seven volume series of novels. Book seven “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” was released on July 21, 2007, and we (the Evil Chicken 5 [-1] and another member of our family who lives in New York – Bat Monkey) were there at 12:01 AM, to watch the event unfold. The local Boarders had a Harry Potter Party. They had sold 1,200 advanced copies of the book all of them with color coated wrist straps (ours was silver) showed up at once. This is why we were there to be caught up in the magic of the evening to share the release of the LAST EVER excursion to Hogwarts to witness the great debate of just where Professor Snape’s allegiances lie, the costume contest and to see who would win the autographed poster of the newest and last ever Harry Potter cover. Sure I could buy it at Wal-Mart tomorrow but why? We were surrounded on all sides by people who have been seduced and captivated by the literature of the day and literature is the right word. Gentle Reader we may pass through time but Harry Potter is now timeless taking his rightful place next to Gandalf the Grey, Gandalf the White and Merlin – still speaking in a literary frame mind you. There will never be another and we were there to participate in the festivities and to watch it unfold. Possession of a silver wrist band ensured that you were part of the second major wave of individuals to purchase their copy of the book.
We were out of the store at about 12:40 in the morning, books in hand and eager to read. Mother Hen and Bat Monkey stayed up to about 5:00 AM reading their copies; both of them finished the text within about 12 hours. Such was not the case with yours truly. I’m a slower reader than they are and I finished it yesterday.
Wow.
I’m not going to say if Harry lives or dies or comment on the body count but I can say that print is not dead and because of that the world is a much more magical place. If you are so inclined to do so read the entire series – you will not be disappointed. J.K. Rowling has proven herself to be so much more than meets the eye. Now she too has gained literary immortality and it is justly deserved.
Mischief Managed.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
The Live Earth Concert
I remember watching the first “Live Aid” famine relief concert for Ethiopia on MTV way back in nineteen hundred and eighty five. The main broadcast was split between two main venues; Wembley Stadium in London and the late, JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. As Wikipedia tells me, “it was the largest-scale satellite link-ups and television broadcasts of all time: an estimated 1.5 billion viewers, across 100 countries, watched the live broadcast. As previously stated, I was one of them.
I couldn’t get tickets to be there personally – what can I say, lack of funds.
Fast forward to 2007, NOW (just as I’m typing this) the “Live Earth – Concerts for a Climate in Crisis” is in progress. The Dave Mathews Band just went on stage at Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey (although the world only knows it as “New York”). This is big. It promises to beat out “Live Aid” as the new 900-pound gorilla of mega concerts. Live Earth is being broadcast via live video streaming on MSN (http://www.liveearth.org/) from Australia, Japan, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, Washington DC, South Africa, “New York” and Brazil. The amazing thing about the MSN coverage is that you can switch to whatever live feed you desire with the click of a button. I saw Linkin Park in Japan, UB40 in South Africa and now, The Dave Mathews Band in “New York”. Check it out if you can – pretty neat. The Police are going on sometime tonight in “New York” – it should be great.
I couldn’t get tickets to be there personally – what can I say, lack of funds.
But Evil Chicken… what about the cause – how do you feel about that? Ah, gentle reader, once again you know just the right question to ask. Since that is the case I recommend that you check this out: http://evilchickenscratch.blogspot.com/2006/04/price-of-complacency.html.
Enjoy the show and switch off the light on your way out of the room.
I remember watching the first “Live Aid” famine relief concert for Ethiopia on MTV way back in nineteen hundred and eighty five. The main broadcast was split between two main venues; Wembley Stadium in London and the late, JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. As Wikipedia tells me, “it was the largest-scale satellite link-ups and television broadcasts of all time: an estimated 1.5 billion viewers, across 100 countries, watched the live broadcast. As previously stated, I was one of them.
I couldn’t get tickets to be there personally – what can I say, lack of funds.
Fast forward to 2007, NOW (just as I’m typing this) the “Live Earth – Concerts for a Climate in Crisis” is in progress. The Dave Mathews Band just went on stage at Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey (although the world only knows it as “New York”). This is big. It promises to beat out “Live Aid” as the new 900-pound gorilla of mega concerts. Live Earth is being broadcast via live video streaming on MSN (http://www.liveearth.org/) from Australia, Japan, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, Washington DC, South Africa, “New York” and Brazil. The amazing thing about the MSN coverage is that you can switch to whatever live feed you desire with the click of a button. I saw Linkin Park in Japan, UB40 in South Africa and now, The Dave Mathews Band in “New York”. Check it out if you can – pretty neat. The Police are going on sometime tonight in “New York” – it should be great.
I couldn’t get tickets to be there personally – what can I say, lack of funds.
But Evil Chicken… what about the cause – how do you feel about that? Ah, gentle reader, once again you know just the right question to ask. Since that is the case I recommend that you check this out: http://evilchickenscratch.blogspot.com/2006/04/price-of-complacency.html.
Enjoy the show and switch off the light on your way out of the room.
And Now for Something Completely Different
http://www.thesurrealist.co.uk/slogan.cgi
Mother Hen found this & I thought I'd pass it along... It’s a slogan generator. The lovely young lady displays your slogan once it’s generated.
Have fun!
http://www.thesurrealist.co.uk/slogan.cgi
Mother Hen found this & I thought I'd pass it along... It’s a slogan generator. The lovely young lady displays your slogan once it’s generated.
Have fun!
Saturday, June 30, 2007
DON’T TOUCH ME!
I’m a fan of New Jersey 101.5. It’s a talk radio station here in the Garden State. I’m at a point in my life where I prefer talk radio to the mass-produced corporate product that passes as music these days that top 40 radio stations continue to spit out. Just whatever happened to musicians who actually played an instrument and could make a harmony? It will come back, I’m sure but until then I’m hooked on talk radio.
I’m not so much a fan of the morning drive but come 10:00 AM, my radio is usually set for the Dennis and Judy Show. The same can be said for 2:00 PM, when the Jersey Guys, Craig Carton and Ray Rossi hit the airwaves.
Anyway, I don’t always agree with them (either show) but I am always entertained and informed on the goings on in the state that I call home.
I added a new link that has become a Panic Button for me lately. I find if I just click on the “DON’T TOUCH ME!” I feel better. It is from the Dennis and Judy Show. You can click on the link right here to your right under Evil Chicken’s Favorite Places. Not fer nothin’, you’ll feel better too.
I’m not so much a fan of the morning drive but come 10:00 AM, my radio is usually set for the Dennis and Judy Show. The same can be said for 2:00 PM, when the Jersey Guys, Craig Carton and Ray Rossi hit the airwaves.
Anyway, I don’t always agree with them (either show) but I am always entertained and informed on the goings on in the state that I call home.
I added a new link that has become a Panic Button for me lately. I find if I just click on the “DON’T TOUCH ME!” I feel better. It is from the Dennis and Judy Show. You can click on the link right here to your right under Evil Chicken’s Favorite Places. Not fer nothin’, you’ll feel better too.
Joel Siegel has Passed
Here is the Yahoo story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070630/ap_en_mo/obit_joel_siegel_18;_ylt=AsS0nsvB3Ac0EdYZxyttNsME1vAI and here is the ABC write-up: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3331709.
This struck me this morning when I read of his passing. What a loss. He was accessible, genuine and had such joy about him as he shared his passion for film with the rest of us. The way he faced life and death is not only a lesson for Dylan it’s a lesson for us all.
My sincere prayers and condolences to both his family & friends at this time of grieving. He was one of the good ones and he’ll be missed.
This struck me this morning when I read of his passing. What a loss. He was accessible, genuine and had such joy about him as he shared his passion for film with the rest of us. The way he faced life and death is not only a lesson for Dylan it’s a lesson for us all.
My sincere prayers and condolences to both his family & friends at this time of grieving. He was one of the good ones and he’ll be missed.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
I’ve been crazy busy…
17,000 words plus on the screenplay, thus far; (see Script Frenzy link to the right). My writing partner has been great and we have slipped into a very natural working relationship. It's a good thing and it’s rocking. But that’s not what I wanted to pass along to you Gentle Reader… No. As it turns out I wanted to drop a tidbit about the “Iron Man” movie that will be coming out next year…
It’s a good one.
Samuel L. Jackson is going to be Nick Fury.
Yeah… more perfect casting there has never been (looking at Ultimate Avengers that is). I am torked for this flick. Then again I’m also stoked for Indiana Jones IV and “Batman – The Dark Knight.” …Have you seen the publicity shots? Entirely too cool.
2008 is looking very good.
All right, I’ve got to get back to typing.
Take care!
It’s a good one.
Samuel L. Jackson is going to be Nick Fury.
Yeah… more perfect casting there has never been (looking at Ultimate Avengers that is). I am torked for this flick. Then again I’m also stoked for Indiana Jones IV and “Batman – The Dark Knight.” …Have you seen the publicity shots? Entirely too cool.
2008 is looking very good.
All right, I’ve got to get back to typing.
Take care!
Monday, June 18, 2007
389.6
…Miles that is. It is the distance from The Chicken’s Nest, here in the Swamps of Jersey to Assateague Island, Maryland and back give or take a few miles for pit stops and Starbucks runs. This has become a family tradition for us. Every Father’s Day we camp on the beach with the wild ponies and go to the Maryland Geocachers Association’s Bonfire on the Beach. The fires and ponies are all well and good but the real crazy stuff happens when the girls and me hit the beach. You see Gentle Reader, the waves there are not like the waves that we are accustom too down here at the southern end of the Jersey Shore – oh no; these are WAVES and they will take you out. Somewhere down deep there is a gene that pulls me (and the three chicks too) to water. It is magnetic. Being in and ultimately a part of the shear force and energy of the ocean is an amazing experience. Being caught up in an 8 to 12-foot wave, riding the swell like a cork as it passes you by on its way to break against the beach is something that just must be experienced to truly appreciate. What an undertow! We read about the riptides but didn’t experience any – which I am pleased about since being caught in one could sweep you out hundreds of yards into the Atlantic Ocean. No – none of us are that good a swimmer so we just play in the waves. We absolutely love it.
The campsite was great and we shared it with friends from New Jersey – geocachers and friends all. As a family the five of us camp in a tent usually without electricity or water, but this year we had the luxury of having an electric site, which was great since I could plug in my C-Pap and breath through the night.
Oh yeah, good times.
My early Father’s Day present, Maggie (a dash mounted Magellan GPS unit), performed amazingly once again. Mother Hen can now sleep without me asking when our next turn will be; that’s a good thing since she got a pretty good sun poisoning on her leg and did a lot of sleeping on the ride home. Come to think of it, she’s sleeping now as I write this.
The kids and I, after packing, took one last look at the ocean. I stood there with my babies and thanked them for such a wonderful Father’s Day weekend. Priceless.
Thanks also go to the wonderful woman I married. I would have told her on the beach too but she was busy applying aloe to her blistered and weeping leg.
Good times, good times.
I love you lady.
Signed; the luckiest man alive, Evil Chicken
The campsite was great and we shared it with friends from New Jersey – geocachers and friends all. As a family the five of us camp in a tent usually without electricity or water, but this year we had the luxury of having an electric site, which was great since I could plug in my C-Pap and breath through the night.
Oh yeah, good times.
My early Father’s Day present, Maggie (a dash mounted Magellan GPS unit), performed amazingly once again. Mother Hen can now sleep without me asking when our next turn will be; that’s a good thing since she got a pretty good sun poisoning on her leg and did a lot of sleeping on the ride home. Come to think of it, she’s sleeping now as I write this.
The kids and I, after packing, took one last look at the ocean. I stood there with my babies and thanked them for such a wonderful Father’s Day weekend. Priceless.
Thanks also go to the wonderful woman I married. I would have told her on the beach too but she was busy applying aloe to her blistered and weeping leg.
Good times, good times.
I love you lady.
Signed; the luckiest man alive, Evil Chicken
Friday, June 15, 2007
Happy Father’s Day
My writing partner and I are well underway on the Script Frenzy project. June we write it, July we edit, August we film, September we edit (the film this time) and October we will be premiering the movie. I see the film as “Deliverance” meets “Blair Witch”. It focuses on the misadventures of a group of poker buddies who get caught up in a series of events in the Pine Barrens in between the forces of good and of evil.
It’s happening. No kidding.
If there’s anyone out there who wants to be in a movie, have a good time and probably some coffee and donuts STAY TUNED. Understand that it’s not a paying gig. My partner and I can’t pay you dime one BUT we can say that you will walk away from the experience being able to say that YOU were an actor in a film that can be purchased on DVD and is registered with the Library of Congress; that's right YOU will be able to say that YOU are an actor - and really mean it. Yes Gentle Reader, it will be coming soon.
Just let me know. You can do so right here. If August is good for you – wonderful; we’d love to have you aboard. It will be quick and reasonably painless. : ) ...Resonably.
In other news... The EC-5 are heading down to Assategue Island to camp on the beach with the wild horses. We’ve done this now for the last 4 or 5 years or so and it’s a blast. We’ve seen the horses raid campsites and let me tell you it’s not easy trying to shoo a 600-pound animal away from a box of gram crackers when it’s got a mind for snacking. The ocean is wonderful. The waves are bigger and the water clarity is better than here in New Jersey – although, to be fair the clarity has improved greatly in our water over the last decade or so. It’s also the Maryland Geocacher’s Bonfire on the Beach. Nice people – big fire, good times.
It should be a blast. I won’t be bringing the laptop since getting sand in it and having it not working would bring me to tears. The next phase of the script will be hand written so that I can transfer it over to proper script format when my laptop and I are reunited.
…And it will feel so good.
The kids have already given me my cards and I was given a roof sack (?) for gear, which is on the truck and ready to rock. I am blessed with, dare I say, the three best girls in the world and the woman who gave them to me. For them I thank the Man upstairs.
Happy Father’s Day, Gentle Reader… (if you’re a dad that is.)
It’s happening. No kidding.
If there’s anyone out there who wants to be in a movie, have a good time and probably some coffee and donuts STAY TUNED. Understand that it’s not a paying gig. My partner and I can’t pay you dime one BUT we can say that you will walk away from the experience being able to say that YOU were an actor in a film that can be purchased on DVD and is registered with the Library of Congress; that's right YOU will be able to say that YOU are an actor - and really mean it. Yes Gentle Reader, it will be coming soon.
Just let me know. You can do so right here. If August is good for you – wonderful; we’d love to have you aboard. It will be quick and reasonably painless. : ) ...Resonably.
In other news... The EC-5 are heading down to Assategue Island to camp on the beach with the wild horses. We’ve done this now for the last 4 or 5 years or so and it’s a blast. We’ve seen the horses raid campsites and let me tell you it’s not easy trying to shoo a 600-pound animal away from a box of gram crackers when it’s got a mind for snacking. The ocean is wonderful. The waves are bigger and the water clarity is better than here in New Jersey – although, to be fair the clarity has improved greatly in our water over the last decade or so. It’s also the Maryland Geocacher’s Bonfire on the Beach. Nice people – big fire, good times.
It should be a blast. I won’t be bringing the laptop since getting sand in it and having it not working would bring me to tears. The next phase of the script will be hand written so that I can transfer it over to proper script format when my laptop and I are reunited.
…And it will feel so good.
The kids have already given me my cards and I was given a roof sack (?) for gear, which is on the truck and ready to rock. I am blessed with, dare I say, the three best girls in the world and the woman who gave them to me. For them I thank the Man upstairs.
Happy Father’s Day, Gentle Reader… (if you’re a dad that is.)
Saturday, June 09, 2007
AARP – Where Is Thy Sting?
My oldest daughter, the first of the Three Chicks, is having her eighth grade graduation tonight. She’s going to be entering high school. She and her mother are out right now getting her hair cut for tonight’s ceremony. Three nights ago they came home with a dress – something that my tomboy daughter had sworn off and only begrudgingly agreed to wear. Her mother asked her to try it on so that I could see her in it and she obliged. When she came out of the bathroom I was stunned. My little girl is now a young woman. There is no denying the fact.
And so it goes.
My daughter and I have done nothing but joke about the eighth grade graduation. We have giggled about it – telling ourselves that it’s “not that big a deal.” I’m beginning to feel that I was wrong; wrong in encouraging the laughter at the night’s expense. I’m beginning to see that it is a bigger deal than I suspected.
My oldest daughter is entering High School. In four years time there will be another graduation and another daughter entering High School and THAT is only four years away…
Four years.
Tempus Fugit, gentle reader. Enjoy it for all it’s worth while you can.
And so it goes.
My daughter and I have done nothing but joke about the eighth grade graduation. We have giggled about it – telling ourselves that it’s “not that big a deal.” I’m beginning to feel that I was wrong; wrong in encouraging the laughter at the night’s expense. I’m beginning to see that it is a bigger deal than I suspected.
My oldest daughter is entering High School. In four years time there will be another graduation and another daughter entering High School and THAT is only four years away…
Four years.
Tempus Fugit, gentle reader. Enjoy it for all it’s worth while you can.
Monday, May 28, 2007
There and Back Again. A Chicken’s Tale
We are home and thanking God for a wonderful time together and a safe trip back home. As you know if you’ve been following the “On The Road Again” series we the Evil Chicken 5 (EC-5) attended GEOWOODSTOCK 5. What a gathering. When we first arrived on the scene on Friday we were met with the sight of scores of campers & tents and cars with license plates from far and wide all converging at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. I don’t know what the official tally was yet but both the Friday Night Meet and Greet and Geo-Woodstock 5 will qualify for “Mega-Event” status. After registration you moved onto one of three maps; one of North Carolina, one of the United States and one of the World. Colorful pins gave a hint at the scope of this Event. There were people from Europe, Canada, California and, yes, New Jersey! At the event were different coin venders, REI & Ground Speak tents, dozens of boxes for travel bugs heading in all directions around the globe, silent auctions, cache runs with kayaks & 4x4’s, food, presentations & workshops and a whole boatload of likeminded people. The pig roast was legendary which is good since that’s how I like to eat.
Yesterday we chose to make the drive back to NJ; caching along the way. We racked up a total of 926.6 miles on the Explorer and a million miles of memories that we can always take with us wherever we go. The sponsors and volunteers of this event all deserve a standing ovation for this one. There was so much that went into the planning and execution of this event; procuring an area, food, health services (just in case), sponsorship and a host of other concerns are no easy feats when dealing with an event of this caliber. Seriously.
The announcement came from the stage on Saturday as to where Geo-Woodstock 6 will be held – Sacramento California. I do believe that I’m gonna have to start saving my pennies. I sense a road trip in our future…
Yesterday we chose to make the drive back to NJ; caching along the way. We racked up a total of 926.6 miles on the Explorer and a million miles of memories that we can always take with us wherever we go. The sponsors and volunteers of this event all deserve a standing ovation for this one. There was so much that went into the planning and execution of this event; procuring an area, food, health services (just in case), sponsorship and a host of other concerns are no easy feats when dealing with an event of this caliber. Seriously.
The announcement came from the stage on Saturday as to where Geo-Woodstock 6 will be held – Sacramento California. I do believe that I’m gonna have to start saving my pennies. I sense a road trip in our future…
Saturday, May 26, 2007
On The Road Again Part III
The kids and I are basking in the glow of beholding “Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End” last night here in Raleigh. A word of warning before I go any further; I will try to be fair and balanced with my review but please understand, I have a serious preoccupation with the source material. I’m a pirate fan and a “Pirates of the Caribbean” (POC from here on) and, let’s face it, I’m jaded; that being said, the third film in the trilogy delivers – big time. For my money, I’d have to say that it has been the finest movie at the multiplex thus far into the summer movie season and that’s saying something. “Spiderman 3”, which was flawed but still well worth the price of admission to date was POC’s only competition to date. All that may change when “Transformers” is released on July Fourth but for now, Pirates is king – as it should be. I was too old to fully appreciate the “Transformers” craze of the eighties but piracy? Piracy is timeless.
I will tread lightly with the spoilers but if you wish to remain unscathed by the following paragraph and discover the joys of POC yourself at your local multiplex then skip this paragraph. …Still here? Great. Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio (the screenwriters) have done a great job of tying up all of the loose ends. Really. All the plot points; just who does Elizabeth really love, Davy Jones lost love, Norrington, is Jack dead, the Kraken, Bootstrap Bill’s fate, will Will Turner get the chance to plunge the dagger into Davy Jones’ heart and the very fate of piracy on the high seas; all of ‘em, tied up nicely in a close to three hour long package. The time flew by in a swashbuckling blur and we were not disappointed. All of the actors did a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life once more and Gore Verbinski knows how to tell a story. Keith Richards delivers as Sparrow’s father. His scenes aren’t long but they are memorable. Even with all the resolutions in the plotlines there is the possibility of a part IV. Logistically speaking would Disney walk away from a film franchise that has netted them over 1.3 billion dollars? Nope – I don’t think so either. Go see it before you hear about what happens second hand (I hate when that happens).
We will be heading over to Geo-Woodstock 5 in the near future to soak up the festivities and atmosphere. We’ve already seen many friends and familiar faces. The event promises to be pretty amazing with the gathering of close to 2,000 cachers. There are different vendors, presentations, workshops and chances to meet a whole boatload of likeminded people. We’ll hang, maybe come back to the Hotel for some swimming and then head back for the pig roast. I hear it will be legendary. That’s a good thing since that is how I eat.
I’ll tell you all about it later. Until then, keep a weather eye on the horizon.
I will tread lightly with the spoilers but if you wish to remain unscathed by the following paragraph and discover the joys of POC yourself at your local multiplex then skip this paragraph. …Still here? Great. Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio (the screenwriters) have done a great job of tying up all of the loose ends. Really. All the plot points; just who does Elizabeth really love, Davy Jones lost love, Norrington, is Jack dead, the Kraken, Bootstrap Bill’s fate, will Will Turner get the chance to plunge the dagger into Davy Jones’ heart and the very fate of piracy on the high seas; all of ‘em, tied up nicely in a close to three hour long package. The time flew by in a swashbuckling blur and we were not disappointed. All of the actors did a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life once more and Gore Verbinski knows how to tell a story. Keith Richards delivers as Sparrow’s father. His scenes aren’t long but they are memorable. Even with all the resolutions in the plotlines there is the possibility of a part IV. Logistically speaking would Disney walk away from a film franchise that has netted them over 1.3 billion dollars? Nope – I don’t think so either. Go see it before you hear about what happens second hand (I hate when that happens).
We will be heading over to Geo-Woodstock 5 in the near future to soak up the festivities and atmosphere. We’ve already seen many friends and familiar faces. The event promises to be pretty amazing with the gathering of close to 2,000 cachers. There are different vendors, presentations, workshops and chances to meet a whole boatload of likeminded people. We’ll hang, maybe come back to the Hotel for some swimming and then head back for the pig roast. I hear it will be legendary. That’s a good thing since that is how I eat.
I’ll tell you all about it later. Until then, keep a weather eye on the horizon.
Friday, May 25, 2007
On The Road Again Part II
We are in the process of field-testing “Maggie” our new Magellan Roadmate, a windshield mounted GPS unit. Maggie has a great voice and is pretty good with directions; pretty awesome, in fact. The unit takes much of the guesswork and white knuckle – Road Warrior driving tactics out of whatever road trip you are making. I am very impressed. I’m told that it is my Father’s Day present. I don’t mind in the least. Our other GPS unit is a Garmin Legend. It’s seen over 760 geocaches or so; and it’s still going strong. Yeah, yeah – product loyalty and all that… You really need to hear Maggie’s sweet voice when she says, “make a right in two tenths.” Ah, it’s music to my ears.
We spent our first night camping at Pocahontas State Park in Virginia. What a beautiful spot. I highly recommend it. Mother Hen did an amazing job of finding this park; as usual. Not to brag but we’ve gotten pretty good at putting up and taking down our Coleman tent. We love this thing; it’s big enough to fit the whole crew (including the dog) with gear but the feature that I love most has got to be the door – it’s on a hinge and Velcros shut; too cool. We show this feature to other campers who walk away both in shock and awe. Any way we left after breaking camp and drove about four and a half hours to Raleigh North Carolina to our hotel room at the Holiday Inn (where I am typing this from BTW, Gentle Reader).
We are about to head out to the Raleigh Fair Grounds for a Geo-Coin extravaganza number one and, hopefully getting something to eat (I’m wasting away). After that we’re heading to Geo-Coin extravaganza number two. I do believe that there is a viewing of “Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End” in the cards for the evening too.
Oh yes… We shall see what we shall see. I’ll check in with you later, Gentle Reader; until then – adieu!
We spent our first night camping at Pocahontas State Park in Virginia. What a beautiful spot. I highly recommend it. Mother Hen did an amazing job of finding this park; as usual. Not to brag but we’ve gotten pretty good at putting up and taking down our Coleman tent. We love this thing; it’s big enough to fit the whole crew (including the dog) with gear but the feature that I love most has got to be the door – it’s on a hinge and Velcros shut; too cool. We show this feature to other campers who walk away both in shock and awe. Any way we left after breaking camp and drove about four and a half hours to Raleigh North Carolina to our hotel room at the Holiday Inn (where I am typing this from BTW, Gentle Reader).
We are about to head out to the Raleigh Fair Grounds for a Geo-Coin extravaganza number one and, hopefully getting something to eat (I’m wasting away). After that we’re heading to Geo-Coin extravaganza number two. I do believe that there is a viewing of “Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End” in the cards for the evening too.
Oh yes… We shall see what we shall see. I’ll check in with you later, Gentle Reader; until then – adieu!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
On The Road Again
The EC-5 is hitting the open road once more. We are going camping in Virginia and then pressing onward to Geo Woodstock 5 in Charlotte North Carolina.
What’s a Geo Woodstock 5? Oh Gentle Reader, I am never unimpressed with your curiosity. Geo Woodstock 5 is a Mega-Geocache Event. It is held each year at a different location. There will be over 2,000 geocachers from all over the world there. That’s a lot of people. It should be a hoot. I’m taking the laptop so maybe I’ll be able to update from the event? One never knows. There is going to be a big Geo Coin Gathering as well. Mother Hen was bitten by the coin bug and is very excited to be going. Yours truly and the Three Chicks are going to check out “Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End” at a local multiplex.
I can’t wait; neither can the girls.
We might be camping our way back to Jersey too. I hope that this is the case since I’m off from work and I’m not getting any younger. I am so thankful that I can share this time with my wife and kids. We want the Three Chicks to look back on these times with a smile and say to each other, “How about the time our crazy parents took us on all those crazy adventures!” No. It would be even better if they said to their own individual families, “Hop in the Jeep and let’s go see what’s around the corner!” They would be plotting their own travels and reporting the back to us, Grand Ma & Grand Pa. They would be charting their own courses and having their own grand adventures. That, Gentle Reader, would be cool; too cool.
These are the good old days my friends; make them count.
What’s a Geo Woodstock 5? Oh Gentle Reader, I am never unimpressed with your curiosity. Geo Woodstock 5 is a Mega-Geocache Event. It is held each year at a different location. There will be over 2,000 geocachers from all over the world there. That’s a lot of people. It should be a hoot. I’m taking the laptop so maybe I’ll be able to update from the event? One never knows. There is going to be a big Geo Coin Gathering as well. Mother Hen was bitten by the coin bug and is very excited to be going. Yours truly and the Three Chicks are going to check out “Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End” at a local multiplex.
I can’t wait; neither can the girls.
We might be camping our way back to Jersey too. I hope that this is the case since I’m off from work and I’m not getting any younger. I am so thankful that I can share this time with my wife and kids. We want the Three Chicks to look back on these times with a smile and say to each other, “How about the time our crazy parents took us on all those crazy adventures!” No. It would be even better if they said to their own individual families, “Hop in the Jeep and let’s go see what’s around the corner!” They would be plotting their own travels and reporting the back to us, Grand Ma & Grand Pa. They would be charting their own courses and having their own grand adventures. That, Gentle Reader, would be cool; too cool.
These are the good old days my friends; make them count.
Monday, May 14, 2007
The Drive-In
I grew up (partially) right outside of Wildwood, NJ. Waaaaay back in the seventies there was a double drive-in theater in Rio Grand; it was aptly named the Rio Drive-In. It was great. You could go with your parents or your friends parents, sit on the top of the station wagon and if the film you were watching wasn’t your bag for the evening then all you had to do was turn around and see the rated “R” horror fest playing on the other side. Hey – that’s how I saw “JAWS” for the first time. My mother had taken me to see “Peter Pan” but what I really wanted was all of the carnage that Bruce the rubber shark could dish out, so up to the roof I went. After seeing the film I couldn’t get into the bathtub without thinking of how “a shark’s eyes are like a doll’s eyes…” I knew for a fact that that soulless fish would find a way to swim up through our pipes and devour me whole. I still check for dorsal fins before adding the bubbles.
I remember moving to Vineland in the early eighties and being very pleased that they had a drive-in too. Heck there was even one over in Bridgeton – a town not all that far from my new home. I was there for them all – to take in the splendor of the love affair between the car and the cinema. I was also there when they started to die away. The Beta Max and VCR began to take their toll. People could watch B-movies right from the comfort of their own homes now; why on earth would you want to put yourself out and go to a drive-in? My beloved Rio Drive-In was the first to succumb – it became a series of strip malls. The Delsea Drive-In in Vineland had a slow death as a porn theater before passing away into that good night (if Pee Wee Herman only knew!) and the Bridgeton Drive-In became a Shop Rite.
That’s progress. Well, for the past few years it has been re-opened and now the Delsea Drive-In Theater lives again! Gentle Reader, if you get a chance go and support them. It is New Jersey’s ONLY Drive-In Theater. It would be nice to see it stay around. I don’t know if there is a way to get it onto the national list of historical places but that’s a petition I would sign.
Here’s their web site: http://www.delseadrive-in.com/. The features change weekly so keep checking in. Bring a radio and some lawn chairs or just do it the old-fashioned way and watch from the comfort of your own car. They’ve got concessions and flushing toilets (wow!) but plan your bathroom breaks accordingly since the line can get deep just after the first movie.
So what are some great movies to see at the Drive-In? Just like the flavor of Soylent Green, it varies from person to person. I think it would be great to have “Mad Max”, “Close Encounters”, and “Night of the Living Dead “,” Twister, “Blade Runner” and, of course, “JAWS” in their repertoire but what do I know… What do you think would make a good triple feature at the Drive-In?
See you in the line for the bathroom!
I remember moving to Vineland in the early eighties and being very pleased that they had a drive-in too. Heck there was even one over in Bridgeton – a town not all that far from my new home. I was there for them all – to take in the splendor of the love affair between the car and the cinema. I was also there when they started to die away. The Beta Max and VCR began to take their toll. People could watch B-movies right from the comfort of their own homes now; why on earth would you want to put yourself out and go to a drive-in? My beloved Rio Drive-In was the first to succumb – it became a series of strip malls. The Delsea Drive-In in Vineland had a slow death as a porn theater before passing away into that good night (if Pee Wee Herman only knew!) and the Bridgeton Drive-In became a Shop Rite.
That’s progress. Well, for the past few years it has been re-opened and now the Delsea Drive-In Theater lives again! Gentle Reader, if you get a chance go and support them. It is New Jersey’s ONLY Drive-In Theater. It would be nice to see it stay around. I don’t know if there is a way to get it onto the national list of historical places but that’s a petition I would sign.
Here’s their web site: http://www.delseadrive-in.com/. The features change weekly so keep checking in. Bring a radio and some lawn chairs or just do it the old-fashioned way and watch from the comfort of your own car. They’ve got concessions and flushing toilets (wow!) but plan your bathroom breaks accordingly since the line can get deep just after the first movie.
So what are some great movies to see at the Drive-In? Just like the flavor of Soylent Green, it varies from person to person. I think it would be great to have “Mad Max”, “Close Encounters”, and “Night of the Living Dead “,” Twister, “Blade Runner” and, of course, “JAWS” in their repertoire but what do I know… What do you think would make a good triple feature at the Drive-In?
See you in the line for the bathroom!
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