The World's Greatest Living Daredevil Dies

R.I.P. - EVEL

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The Dominoes were right..

Read more about this image right here

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"Just drivin around in John Voight's car.."

"It isn't the end of the world that I'm selling my car."

Are you in the market for a formerly-owned car and don't care what may or may not have happened in it? Have approximately $50 grand laying around that's looking for a good home? Lastly, are you an eBay member in good standing? Well sir or madam, I've got the opportunity of a lifetime for you. It seems that due to the recent success of selling his BBQ grill on the eBay, Manny Ramirez has decided to part with his '06 Chrysler 300M STR8 using the internet auction warehouse according to Jerry Nasif, the person who is handling the car sale for the Red Sox slugger.

The car comes standard with the following added features: 22-inch rims, chrome as far as the eye can see and a customer grill. Plus, Nasif says that Manny will throw in "a trunk full of autographed items, a jersey, bat and ball, four tickets to a future Red Sox game and a meet-and-greet with Manny to talk about the car." But no word on who's gonns pay for the gas.

Are you worried about a high starting bid and a expensive reserve? Fuggetaboutit. "...Nasif said he will start the bidding at $5,000 and won’t set a reserve. But he expects the ride to sell for something in the neighborhood of $50,000..."“It’s probably worth around $35,000,” he said. “But we’ll get an extra $10,000 or so because it was Manny’s.”" Because, as you know, celebrity is all about the Benjamins.

Are you scared about seeing tons of fake bids in order to artifically raise the price of this wonderous piece of American machinery? Fuggetaboutit. "We are only working with bidders who have 100 percent positive feedback on eBay,” Nasif said. “That way people can’t just register to bid on this.” So, too bad for those eBayers who have been screwed by a vindictive seller who gave you a negative becuase you were one day late with your payment.

In other words, for those of you who have the disposable cash and the eBay cred, this car is practically yours for the taking. Then you will really know what is like for Manny to be Manny. At least when he's driving; not running the base paths.

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How did I acquire my fandom?

Dan Shanoff’s blog is one of the first things that I read on the web as part of my morning sport constitutional. But, usually, he doesn’t post again until the next morning. Well, around mid-morning yesterday, he posted a column that never saw print (don’t we all have them) about how he became a fan of the Florida Gators via his girlfriend/soon-to-be wife and in the process, he began to define how people become affiliated with their sports teams.

As I continued to pore over this post, I came upon the realization that I fit into all four categories of how I became a fan of one team or another. So, as part of this quasi-meme on the subject, I’ve decided to align my fandom associations by using the “Sports Fan Allegiance Tenets by Shanoff” or SFATS for short.

Biology – I was raised with a couple of undeniable truths that were ingrained into my memory banks through the application of corporate punishment. They were:

• Always say “Sir” or “Ma’am” to anyone older than me;
• Don’t talk to strangers, and;
• Never root for the Maize and Blue

Spartan blood was what I was born with and that faith hasn’t wavered since. In fact, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t root for Sparty; even during the years of abandonment by Saban and the utter destruction of the football team by Williams and John L. But that doesn’t mean that I didn’t rebel in my teenage years. After all, I did send my SAT scores to Ann Arbor during senior year to see if they’d want me.

Geography – After graduation from the aforementioned MSU, my dad was drafted into the Navy due to the Vietnam War. And he decided to make a career of it and as a part of that commitment, the family moved with him through his various tours of duty. But the one “faithful” twist in fate had my dad move himself, his wife and two grade school kids from the warmish surroundings of Memphis to the freezing tundra of Brunswick, Maine in January 1978.

The following spring thus spawned my almost 30 year love/hate affliction to the Boston professional sports teams, most notably the local nine. While ’78 is a time of disgust for most Sox fans, I will always remember it like Henry Hill did when he was arrested for the first time – he was welcomed into the “family” with open arms and a lifetime of penance.

College – This reason is why sometimes I root for Oklahoma, George Mason and Marymount. Why so many universities, you ask? It probably speaks more to my capacity to ignore any type of studying and gravitate to the finer aspects (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) of college life than it was about my quest for educational knowledge. Man, I miss the 80’s.

Your own choosing – It was April 17th, 2003 and I was in the hospital awaiting the arrival of the person I would immediately call my son. As luck would have it, the TV was on the 5’o clock news and the sports segment was coming up next. Now the remaining details are somewhat fuzzy due to all of the screaming, the crying and the tears that I was experiencing while my wife repeated dug her nails into my skin while delivering my baby boy.

But 2003 was the last year of the Winston Cup and I was thinking about casually following NASCAR for the last go-around. Somehow, I determined that since my son was born on the 17th during the 17th hour, I should follow the #17 car driven by Matt Kenseth in honor of my son. Needless to say, he won that year in such a way that NASCAR’s governing body decided to create “The Chase for the Cup” and I’ve continued to follow those guys who only make left turns for a living. But that hasn’t stopped the old-timers like my brother-in-law from calling me a bandwagon jumper which I disprove with simply saying, “It’s not like I picked Jeff Gordon, now is it?”

I’m no sure if I am the only one who can lay claim to placing all four categories in the SFATS but looking back, it is a wonder how the simplest choosing of some inane like a sports team has stuck with me longer than anything else that I’ve learned throughout my life other than saying “Sir” or “Ma’am”. Those are the type of painful lessons that you just don’t forget.

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Avast, ye web-surfing scum

Arr, it's "Talk Like a Pirate Day". Put your peepers to this and do iy smartly, you grubby land-lubbers.

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Images of the Day for 09-17-07

Sorry that I've been away for awhile but have been fighting the uprising of supposed ethics professors during this whole Patrios taping scandal. But there's nothing like a couple of victories to help clense the palate. Michigan State held off a game Pitt Panthers in a 17-13 win while the recently much-maligned New England Patriots put the boots to the supposed #3 team in the AFC (after NE and Indy) in a 38-14 victory. Nice way to start the workweek, if you ask me.

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Pats are guilty of spying, according to ESPN Talking Heads

The hardest working man in the NFL biz, Chris Mortensen, has gotten word from league sources that confirm the New England Patriots are guilty of stealing hand signals. And John Clayton says that the penalty will be severe, stating it might cost the Pats a 2nd Rounder and a 5th rounders in next year's draft. Clayton also brings up the fact that defensive signal callers might begin to wear the same equipment as QBs. He, then, concludes the column with a bizarre, almost dismissive thought:

What will be the longterm effect on Belichick and the Patriots? Although this is embarrassing, you can't take away what this franchise can do. They may have the best team in football. Robert Kraft is one of the league's best owners. The team has three Super Bowl rings and a great chance to get a fourth. Other great organizations have paid penalties for violating league rules. The Broncos lost a draft choice for violating the salary cap with John Elway. The Steelers once had to forfeit a third-round draft choice for working out in shoulder pads in the offseason. The Patriots may lose a draft choice or two. And whether or not the Patriots videotaped the Jets' defensive signals, Belichick won't be any less of a coach.

(Article also posted at armchairgm.com)

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Image of the Day for 09-11-07

Pictured above (Left to Right): Shia LeBeouf, Steven Spielberg, Ray Winstone, Karen Allen, Harrison Ford)

The name for the latest installment of Indiana Jones was announced yesterday by Shia LeBeouf at the MTV Video Music Awards in Vegas.

And the winning title is (drumroll)... "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull". One word - Suhweet!

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Image of the Day for 09-10-07

In case you're not a big time NFL fan, Kevin Everett suffered what most players fear - an spinal injury on the field. He was injured during a kickoff and was carted off the field. His prognosis is not very rosy with still the possibility of death depending on how his body adjust to the trauma. It's hard not to think of the players on the field to be something similar to live action Madden pixels moving around in a choreographed pattern. But when something like this happens, I definitely take a step back and count my blessings. Here's to wish that young man a speedy and (hopefully) miraculous recovery.

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Image of the Day for 09-09-07

AP Photo/Mel Evans

I almost took today off as it was a national holiday in the Schramm compound but since the Pats cruised to a 38-14 victory - I decided to gloat. Please to be reading the following commentary from around the Internets.

Yahoo Sports' Dan Wetzel
ESPN's Len Pasquarelli
Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy

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Image of the Day for 09-08-07

NME.com reports that No Doubt may go back to "their roots" and make a ska-flavored CD, which would be a great change of pace from the crap that is currently out in stores (outside of the recent crop of new hard rock/metal).

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Image of the Day for 09-07-07

I'm not usually one to promote the sites that I frequent (yeah, right) but if you're a sports' nut like me, the above-referenced image is the place that you'll want to go to. armchairgm.com is basically like one big sports bar but it includes all teams and all leagues. And since the whole site is based on user participation, there is always something to discuss or argue about. You can even start rivalries with other users. armchairgm.com is probably one of the biggest growing sites about sports right now. C'mon, get in on the ground floor and become a part of the newest scene, man.

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Image of the Day for 09-06-07

Ripped from the KFR headlines - my post about the price slashing of the iPhone and the new iPod. Read all about it (and my subsequent discussion with Steve in the comments section) here.

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What If...my questions for Ken Jennings

Around this time last year, I tried to swing an interview for my column at Quick Stop Entertainment with Mr. Ken Jennings of Jeopardy fame. I read that his new book was going to be called Brainiac and he did mention that he was a fan of the comic book medium. So, I thought that getting an interview would have been a match made in 4-color heaven, or at the very least, a "no-brainer".

I wrote a few sample questions and sent an email to his domain address. Within a couple of days, I received word from his agent stating that he would be taking interview requests closer to his book release date. I acknowledged her email with a couple jokes and waited for my turn in line.


The release date came and went with no word. A week also ran past me like Tomlinson does the Raiders D. And you can see where I'm going with this (especially if you read the post title). After a few weeks, I began to realize that I was given the email equivalent of a blowoff.

I was going to trash the question since they were no longer relevant and no question likes to go unanswered. But I thought better about it. They're not naked light bulb, sweat your ass off questions. But they're not lame one either, at least in my opinion.

So, I will let you decide. Please let me know what you think. I'm not Ed Bradley. Hell, I'm not even James Lipton but I would like to think that I could carry a conversation with anyone.

Why write a book?

Other than the obvious, why pick Brainiac as the title?

Your blog gained some unnecessary flack about your revelation about the existence of the Trebeck 3000 humanoid. Were you surprised about how devoted the cult of Jeopardy are to its cybernetic leader?

Do you feel that your intelligence has been devalued at all due to the normal dumbing down that has become a part of the world's culture of celebrity?

I watched most of your historic run on Jeopardy and your knowledge of comics (both in strip and book form) came in pretty handy. What role do you think that reading comic books as a kid in the 70's in helping develop your intellect? (Follow-up question) For point of reference purposes, what was the last comic book that you read?

What were some of the perks that you never even thought that you'd get just from being on Jeopardy?

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Image of the Day for 09-05-07

I'm on the fence about the latest batch of TV shows with elements of sci-fi and comic book mythos such as Heroes and Battlestar Galatica will generate any more comic book readers than are previously in existence. But there's always hope. The image above is for the aforementioned Heroes Hardcover that is due out in stores October 24th. If you're interested, here's the write-up about it:

This stunning hardcover collects the amazing online comics based on the smash-hit, Emmy Award-nominated NBC show HEROES! This volume — featuring two stunning covers by comics legends Jim Lee and Alex Ross — also includes an introduction by Masi Oka (Hiro), all 34 chapters of Season One, and Tim Sale's artwork as seen on the show. The comics included have been written and illustrated by some of comics' and television's top writers and artists, including Michael Turner, Phil Jimenez, Marcus To, and more!

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Where You Should Buy The Office Season 3

It's another week and it's another TV series DVD set that you should definitely get. Here's the breakdown on where and how much you should pay for The Office Season 3:

Cheapest On-Line Price: Amazon.com ($31.99)
Cheapest Brick & Mortar Price: Circuit City ($29.99)
Exclusive Merch Collector's Edition: Dundie Award, Dwight Schrute mini-bobblehead and welcome letter - pictured above (Best Buy, $42.99)

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Image of the Day for 09-04-07

(Photo by KEVIN W. FOWLER/For the Lansing State Journal)

In all of the other things that happened over the weekend (Labor Day, U of M losing, WWE suspensions), I forgot to talk up how badly the Spartans needed an opening day win in a way to totally create a fresh start for the Dantonio Era in East Lansing. Well, they did take it to the Blazers of UAB (owners of my old Fantasy Football team's logo) in a big way and cruised to a 55-18 victory. Jehuu Caulcrick went for 93 yards on 10 carries with scores of 1, 5, 42, and 5 yards, earning him Big Ten Offensive co-Player of the Week. This Saturday is the Falcons of Bowling Green (whose team colors are Orange - crazy Ohioans). For one week in the fall, the Spartans looked way better than the Wolverines and that feels very good.

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Image of the Day for 09-03-07

For the past couple of weeks, my son has been getting his comic book geek wings by asking for (and most of the time) receiving the Hasbro/Marvel Super Hero Squad figures. His current obsession with super heroes rivals my own, which brings a tear to my eye. It's hard for me, as a parent, to limit his toy purchases when I myself would buy all of them in a heartbeat for him. so, as a nod to the boy, here's a new sculpt of Venom, who is one of the newest figures from the next wave of Spider-Man Super Hero Squad. Have a good Labor Day, y'all.

Image is from MarvelousNews.com

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Image of the Day for 09-02-07

After years and years of waiting (I refer to it as The Chinese Democracy of Hip-Hop), Q-Tip's forever-in-the-works CD, The Renaissance, is expected to hit the shelves in the early part of 2008. To help get some early buzz as well as probably mending some faith with his longtime fans, Tip gave a brief description of three tracks from the new CD - Official, Be Brave, and Fever, to Entertainment Weekly's First Listen. He also gave an exclusive online interview about the trails and tribulations of moving from Arista to Dreamworks to Interscope to Geffen to (finally) Universal Motown. The interview will truly fascinate you.

Now, before you get all jazzed with anticipation about finally buying the disc, I've heard this song and dance before (as far back as 2005), so I'm taking any news about The Renaissance with a grain of salt.

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Image of the Day for 09-01-07

I love it when the all-mighty preseason polls take a hit on the first week of the year and thankfully, U of M does not disappoint me in this fashion this year as they lose to a very tough but beatable Appalachian State, 34-32. In classic underachiever fashion, Michigan let their opponents get a big lead, fight back to lead late in the game then let victory slip through their fingers. As decidedly biased MSU fan, this loss pleases me to no end; almost more than seeing the Spartans take it to Division I-A UAB. But even objectively, this loss may haunt the Wolverines through out the whole year.

More info about the game can be found here - > App State v. Michigan

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WWE slams 10 wrestlers for breaking drug policy

Former WWE Champ Edge dropped by drug suspension (Image courtesy of WWE.com)

Definitely in reaction to all of the recent mounting evidence that indicts the new WWE wrestlers as practitioners of the old WWF chemicology, word came from Stamford, Connecticut that ten current wrestlers will be suspended for breaking the current drug policy. Initially, the names were not release to the public. However, they have been leaked and are listed under their WWE names as:

1. Mr Kennedy
2. Chavo Guerrero
3. Gregory Helms
4. Randy Orton
5. John Morrison
6. Shoichi Funaki
7. Charlie Haas
8. Umaga,
9. William Regal
10. Edge

These suspensions come as a direct fall out from the early 2007 steroid raid of Signature Pharmacy, an online retailer based out of Orlando. The ten suspended men all placed order with the retailer after February 2006, the date when the drug policy took effect. Others who have been linked to Signature included current wrestlers Batista, King Booker, Santino Marella and Chris Masters but it appears that any orders that they placed were prior to the February 2006 deadline. Three deceased wrestlers, Chris Benoit, Brian 'Crush' Adams' and Eddie Guerrero, along with recently released wrestlers Simon Dean and Sylvan Grenier have also been mentioned as clients of Signature Pharmacy.

Professional Wrestling has always had two strikes against them when looked up by the mainstream: It's consider "fake"; and that there's always been a undercurrent of steroids. After the Federal trail of the WFF back in the early 90s, the drug allegations had subsided. But with this unfortunate news, it looks like that the unholy matrimony between 'Roids and Wrasslers will never truly been severed.

Newsfeeds: The Sun, The Orlando Sentinel

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Image of the Day for 08-31-07

According to this ABC News report, the possibility of owning a flying car (or in this case, saucer) is becoming more fact than fiction. Although, the article never states the price of said vehicle, I can imagine that it is only for the wealthy people. Unless you're Dante Hicks, then you paying for it in more way than one. If you're unfamiliar with that above reference, check it out below:

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RIP CBGB Founder

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

It seems like August has been a rough month for famous people passing away. Now, add one more to the list. Hilly Krystal (pictured above with Steven Van Zandt), the founder and owner of CBGB (short for Country Blue Grass Blues), dies a couple of days ago. While I was never the right age to make my trek to the famed nightclub to see any number of punk acts in the 70s and early 80s, I always looked at the name as an iconic ideal for what was cool about rock and roll - loud, hard and brutal. The club itself burned out a few years ago but hopefully, the memory of the club or it's owner will never fade away.

Newsfeed: Associated Press

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Image of the Day for 08-30-07

Ripped from the pages of KFR, it's the first trailer for the Spectacular Spider-Man cartoon that will debut under the WB Kids banner. Steve makes some good points about the images; although I disagree with the look of J. Jonah Jameson since I'm a big fan of the WB's Batman series. But I will leave that for you to decide. Enjoy...

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Image of the Day for 08-29-07

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Image of the Day for 08-28-07

Jim Carrey getting involved with the plight of Aung San Suu Kyi, an imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient in Burma. It is still shocking to hear of such inequities in today's "modern" world. Just listen to the message and then listen to your heart.

Link: US Campaign for Burma

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Where You Should Buy Heroes Season 1

Just in case you have been competing for the latest competition reality show, Rip Van Wrinkle's Sleep-In, the Heroes Season One DVD set is out today and I've decided to give you lucky readers a complete breakdown of where you should buy this unapologetic fan fav and critical daring.


Cheapest On-Line Price: Deep Discount.com ($36.89 with free shipping)
Cheapest Brick & Mortar Price: Best Buy ($36.99)
Exclusive Merch with Purchase: Comic Book (Best Buy), Free Trading Cards and $5 coupon at NBCStore.com (Circuit City), None (Target, Wal-Mart)
Deluxe Collector's Edition: Exclusive 45-minutes of additional content and 4 miniature paintings (Target, $44.99)

If this short list helps anyone with a purchase, please let me know. I woudl love to read some feedback. Who am I kidding? I would love any feedback.

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Image of the Day for 08-27-07

Saw this news over the weekend and thought that I would pass it along. Fro what I heard when the event happened back in December, this Q&A was great with parts both funny and informative. Well, that was over a half a year ago so it may not be as informative as it was but I'm sure that the humor still holds up. Probably the best reason to get this DVD is for the extra interviews with the likes of Jeph Loeb, Brian Pulido and You can buy this DVD for $24.95 with the proceeds to go to the Hero Initiative,a non-profit organization that helps comic book creators in need.

Purcahse Link: Then And Now DVD

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Image of the Day for 08-26-07

One of the presents from yesterday - played it for about an hour and I like how the Wii's innovative controller use is incorporated but I will need more time with the game before rendering a decision.

Game Link: Madden 08 - Wii

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Image of the Day for 08-25-07

This Tim Burton drawn Batman image is really just a blatant plea for recognition as today is my 38th birthday. In honor of such an eventful milestone, I will not post again today. See ya tomorrow.

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Prepare for the Backlash

I know that I might be blowing this all out of proportion but to hear that the Red Sox have been declared by anyone, much less USA Today, as "America's Team" must be a sign of the Apocalypse. Seriously, to have this moniker attached to any sports team is akin to being called overrated or overhyped. While the times that I spent chronicling some of my feelings on the Sox when I was writing my comic book column (Preachin' from the Longbox for those who have a short memory or haven't read the sidebar) during the 2004 season was like being a part of something bigger than yourself; almost like you were attuned to the power cosmic and knew that this was going to be the year.

But once they won the World Series, the sports fans' equivalent of blood sucking leeches, otherwise known as the"casual" fan, began their life-draining attachment to my team. It's not that I have this inane idea that they are my team and my team alone. But to see the plethora of Sox merch on people who didn't suffer the '78, '86 or even the '03 heartbreaks is revolting.

Luckily for me, the USA Today idea seems to have fallen flat. One of the online repsonses to the article showed a link to a recent Harris poll that shows the Yanks as still secure in their #1 ranking since 2003. One cause for concern is that the Sox have steadily grown in popularity from #6 in '03 to #3 in '07. Although if it means a few more World Series crowns, I'll take being called "America's Team".

Newsfeed: USA Today
Other Links: Harris Poll

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Image of the Day for 08-24-07

And just when you thought it was safe to watch reality competition shows, news from Variety .com has NBC bring back this laff-fest. Nevermind the blatant barrel-chested prototypes of perpetual steroids abuse that the men and women were sporting, the true enjoyment of this show was trying to see the "Gladiators" sell their "personas" to the TV audience. After one spot, it was obvious that there was a reason why they weren't working for Vince McMahon. But the announcement of this show has to be good for one person. It will allow Joe Theisman to return to his broadcasting roots. Go Joe!

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Gotta Get Back in Time

Michael Stravato/Associated Press

I couldn't believe my eyes when I read this little nugget that came from the Associated Press in today's edition of the mighty PNJ. The DeLorean, long a subject of interest with yours truly, is rising like a fiery Phoenix from John DeLorean's coke-filled ashes. It appears that some guy in east Texas named Stephen Wynne has bought up all of the remaining DeLorean parts and is reconstructing a run of approximately 500 new cars at a price of $57,500, which is more than fair for a car of this stature and look. As if you couldn't tell, I'm as giddy as a naughty schoolgirl about this new development and quite possibly as you read this, I am persuading the house accountant that a family road trip to Humble, Texas or Bonita Springs, FL has to be made to secure this midlife crisis vehicle ten years early.

Newsfeed: PNJ.com

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Image of the Day for 08-23-07

Today is the boy's first soccer tryout and I can't wait to see how he does in something of an organized sport. So, make note of it here - today is the first day of the American version of David Beckham's career.

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Milwaukee's Best gets popped

(Photo courtesy of OnMilwaukee.com)

Saw this news item crawl across the 'Net and had to say something about it. Infamous basketball coach-choker and player Latrell Spreewell has had his yacht, aptly named Milwaukee's Best (pictured above), repossessed by the New York bank that still holds the $1.3 million loan. While it's never funny to see someone go through some financial hardship (unless that person is Dustin Diamond), there is a bit o' irony concerning this loss that I can't help but share. Here's a pull from the newsfeed:

Sprewell played 13 National Basketball Association seasons. He last appeared in 2004-'05 for the Minnesota Timberwolves and at the beginning of that
season rejected a three-year, $21-million contract extension. In the midst of negotiations, Sprewell scoffed at the idea of playing out the season and then becoming a free agent.

"Why would I want to help them win a title?" he said. "They're not doing anything for me. I'm at risk. I have a lot of risk here. I got my family to feed. Anything could happen."

The four-time all-star played out the season but hasn't returned to the league.

Hey, Spree, if you need a job, maybe you can get one over at the Garden. The Celts need a body that will sign for the veteran minimum.

Newsfeed: FOXSports.com

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Image of the Day for 08-22-07

(AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File)

Eddie Griffin, formerly of the Minnesota Timberwolves, was indentified via dental records as the horribly charred body that was involved with a SUV/Train wreck last week. JA Adande of ESPN writes a good piece on the troubled life and time of Griffin. What this pointless death has to do with me is that Griffin was so stacked in NBA Live 06 that I traded for him in two different Franchise Mode games. He was great for boards and blocks and step up wiht a double digit game in every once in a while. It's just unfortunate that they guy couldn't just be like the video game and be trouble for his opponents on the court versus get in trouble with his actions off of it.

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Gordon Turned by Kenseth as Busch takes win in Michigan

(Image provided by NASCAR.com)

#2 Kurt Busch and #1 Martin Truex, Jr. finish one-two in Michigan. But what was more notable (at least to me) was that Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon tangle up again near the end of the race. This seems to be an annual occurance that either the 17 or the 24 get into the other. In the post-race interview, Gordon sluffed off any inference of being angry at Kenseth other than saying that he was trying to see if he could get the car tightened up before going into the wall and Kenseth must've gotten too impatient. I'd bet if he was competing to get in The Chase, his tuen probably would've been different but since he's locked in and is only looking for bonus points for win, the news of placing 27th as well as not getting the car totaled wasn't too hard to take.

Story Link: ESPN.com

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Image of the Day for 08-21-07

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Indy got a repeat of the Bad Rexy performance last night but the outcome was not the same as the Bears held off the Colts 27-24. Grossman was truly gross as he fumbled three times, threw a pick and was sacked once. And that is why Grossman is not a member of the Hilarita Lil Devils.

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What I"m Digging - Till The Sun Turns Black

It's hard to believe but there are sometimes in the world of Pop culture where I am behind the curve. Shocking I know but I heard this song on the trailer to the movie Away from Her and I couldn't get it out of my head. It was a haunting melody that sucks you into the performance; like Nick Drake used to write but with a broader orchestral stroke. I had to look it up and discovered that it was Be Here Now by Ray LaMontagne from the CD, Till the Sun Turns Black, which was released last year. After checking out a couple of other song samples, I decided to download it from iTunes and I coudln't be more happier with the $10 purchase. One song in particular (other than the aforementioned one) that had me hitting the repeat button was Three More Days, a groovy 60s soul-influenced jam that Jack Johnson wishes he wrote. If you're into singer/songwriters with a varied musical style, Till the Sun Turns Black maybe the CD for you. It was for me.

CD Product Link: Ray LaMontagne - Till The Sun Turns Black

DVD Product Link: Away from Her

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Image of the Day for 08-20-07

Saw these fine pair of kicks on Kung Fu Rodeo and really brought back some memories of living in the Land of the Rising Sun. The link that KFR provided was all in Japanese and I wanted to know what it would take for me to secure one of these limited edition shoes. That was until I saw the price of these suckas (¥16,800, which equates to US $146.38). But I was still curious on how the shoes were pitched. So, thanks to our friends in the translation department at Google.com, here's the Japanese-to-English translation:

[This commodity is the reservation commodity]

BATMAN×UBIQ which is actualized with the Warner brothers and cooperation production. UBIQ that you adopt it is not upper the comic handle for the whole upper, the logograph of BATMAN and for the lining of the mouth, it can meet wear adopt play heart which seems the design which overflows. Furthermore in special model such as the BOX which represents the package of TOY it has become the suitable completion. Marketing route, both the number of feet the complete limited model which is squeezed arranging” BATMAN” of the next year release which this time the special preceding incoming order only of FLAUGE actualizes in UBIQ style, release. This time, single-engine is not and the match which the model release is done over the approximately 1 years to movie release being release, it has become. The selection shop which is Harajuku, “[kineteikusu]” and the connected same it does and includes the development of the apparel and plans various plans. It is not the usual UBIQ handling shop, it becomes limitation sale with the market which is limited very.

* It is late September delivery schedule.

* As for this because there is payment date setting with the reservation commodity, the reservation commodity where payment date differs, in addition it cannot liquidate with the brand commodity simultaneously.

* As for the commodity of the photograph because of the sample, the actual product there are times when specification and processing and size etc differ somewhat.

* In regard to circumstances of production of the factory, there are times when payment date becomes modification. Concerning front and back of dispatch day please acknowledge beforehand.

* As for reservation, August 31st (gold) AM10: You end with 00.

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Image of the Day for 08-19-07

In the time honored tradition as Code Red, Livewire and my beloved Pitch Black, the people over at PepsiCo have decided to create a new limited edition Mountain Dew hybrid. This one is called Game Fuel, which has nothing to do with the flavor combination (similar to Livewire) and everthing to do with its promotion with HALO 3. This concoction has a mixture of Citrus and Cherry (like Code Red) flavors. And oddly, it tastes like something completely different. It has a more of a high school punch flavor but with a kick. And damn it if it wasn't addicting as well. Don't get me wrong; I'm still down with OPB (Ole Pitch Black, yeah you know me) but this one will make Dew, for now.

Product Link: Mountain Dew Game Fuel

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Image of the Day for 08-18-07

This image goes out to my little brother, who is no longer little anymore, for his 36th birthday. Welcome to the downhill of your 30s, old man.

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Image of the day for 08-17-07

No image today as I'm traveling from NoVa to Fla. Will update with all sorts of news tomorrow, maybe.

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Image of the Day for 08-16-07

It's hard to believe that Appetite for Destruction is 20 years old. And since there's no possible way that GnR will be releasing Chinese Democracy before the end of this year, this will probably be the only new material from the band (even if it's not musical). Marc Canter was around the band from the beginning and has now compiled his photographs, memorabilia and interviews into this handsome 7x9"book. Any fan of music, especially the Hair/Heavy Metal, will not be able to live without this book. The books drops on September 10th and if you act now, you can get limited edition covers of each band member (while supplies last).

Purchase link: Reckless Road

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Rutgers player looking to cash in on name-calling

(AP Photo via ABC News)

Man, America's litigious culture and "I wanna get paid" attitude has reared its ugly head again. Kia Vaughn has hit Don Imus (both pictured above) with a civil law suit for defamation of character. According to her ambulance-chasing attorney, Richard Ancowitz, the reason for the suit is:

“This is about Kia Vaughn’s good name,” he said. “She would do anything to return to her life as a student and respected basketball player - a more simple life before Imus opened his mouth on April 4.”

Huh?! It's been over four months since this media frenzy, which led to Imus' firing (and deservedly so). But to say you need to be compensated because some radio idiot DJ hurt your rep by calling the team that you played on a name smacks of out-and-out greed. Puhlease. Try telling that to the real people who suffer through that same indignation on a daily basis, but have to work for a living, not Vaughn's lifestyle of hoops and books at a Division I college. What's really surprising about this suit is not the fact that it was filed, but that there hasn't been more of them. But rest assured, if Vaughn gets anything outta Imus, there will be.

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Image of the Day for 08-15-08

Picked up this watch earlier in the week. I must be living under a lucky moon or something as as soon as I bought it, Fossil has either run out of it or has pulled it from their online inventory. Either way, yea for me. Although I got some gried from the wife since it's less than two weeks until my birthday and I'm not supposed to buy anything until afterwards. Yeah, right.

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Quick Reviews: A Night at the Movies

I'm on travel this week and got an opportunity to go to the local movie house which, for a guy with a 4 year old boy and a 2 year old girl, is a rare one. I got there a little late so I came in during the trailer for the Tom Cruise vehicle "Lions for Lambs". But I did get to see two other trailers and the feature presentation. So, here are my short but unadulterated thoughts on all three:

Beowulf - The CGI follow-up for Zemekis featuring the voices of Angelina Jolie and Anthony Hopkins based on the screenplay by resident comic book writer, author and screenwriter genius Neil Gaiman and vet Roger Avary. Ehh, I liked the concept but the images in the trailer seems too glossy and flat. I might wait for the DVD on this one.

American Gangster - Man, this one seems like it's trying to capitalize on last year's success of The Departed but I couldn't care less. Denzel, Russell Crowe, and Cuba Gooding Jr along with rappers Common and TI (using the LL Cool L movie crossover blueprint) bring the 70s back to life with the period piece based on the "true story" of Frank Lucas, the Harlem Heroin King. If the trailer is any indication of the movie, it has all of the earmarkings of another classic gangster flick.

And the feature presentation was:

The Bourne Ultimatum - Flat out, this show rocks. Damon once again breathes life into the possibly stale character of Jason Bourne. However, the real stars of the show are the "villains" in the CIA. David Strathairn, Scott Glenn, Joan Allen and even Julia Stiles shine as they show the different grays that exist in the shadow world of deep ops. This series has been referred to as the "Thinking Man's Popcorn Movie" and this one not only maintains that high praise but I think that this is the best one of the current trilogy. Just go see it.

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Image of the Day for 08-14-08

A carry-over from last night's post. This Flash commissioned sketch is from Titanstower.com. And last word on this subject, my friend and working professional, Jeff Parker, has put up some wonderful candids and added some wonderful ancedotes about Mike. It's really worth reading; if only to get a better sense of 'Ringo's affect on others.

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Mike Wieringo (1963-2007)

'Ringo doing what he did best

Just before hitting the sack after a Sunday of traveling and a Monday full of training, I decide to hit one more site (Heidi's Comics Fairplay) before hitting the sack. That was at 11:30 PM and it’s now 1:30 AM and I still can't believe what I've read tonight. Mike Wieringo passed away over the past weekend from an apparent heart attack at the age of 44. It's unfathomable that someone with such vibrancy and vitality as ‘Ringo possessed could pass away so suddenly. My overly glut of verbosity is more than compensating my inability to say something meaningful that would make the shock of this news disappear.

I just can't believe how someone as young at heart as Mike was betrayed by that very same organ. From the few times that I met him, he was extremely personable and sincere to this old-looking and socially inept person that I had to wonder if he was just humoring me. But I was wrong. He was class from the word go. And in a world where that kind of currency is becoming harder and harder to come by, hearing this kind of news makes it that much hurtful.

In the end it's hard to imagine someone passing away at 44; especially for someone who had much more to offer. When I get back to Florida, I’m gonna kiss my kids until they tell me to stop and hug my wife until my arms fall off. And before I go to sleep, I pull out those old Tellos books out of the longbox and re-read them. Probably with a box of tissues close by. Just in case.

And for those who would want to contribute to something in his memory, his family have made the following request (via a post on Mike's website by his brother Matt):

Though we haven’t ironed out the details of how we plan to honor
Mike, I’d like to suggest that, in lieu of cards or flowers, anyone who is so
inclined please donate to the ASPCA or the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund in his
name. I have a feeling Mike would like that.

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Image of the Day for 08-13-08

Image courtesy of Rueters via Boston.com/sports

Eric Gagne, recently acquired by the Sox, has decided to blow up any chance of Boston of keeping their lead in the AL East. He has proven that there is no lead that he cannot give up as he done so twice since coming to the Sox. He's gone from a "Fireman" (baseball term for saving games) to an Arsonist proven by his egregiously bad 16.20 ERA in four appearances for the Red Hose. Based on those facts, I will now only refer this guy only as "Gagme".

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