I was watching/listening to the first round of the NFL draft yesterday, and the pick that didn't surpise me was made by the Atlanta Falcons.

 

That team basically told Michael Vick that they have moved on. They drafted a quarterback that probably will not run around, and make decisions that are sensible.

 

When Vick played, he showed incredible talent and brilliance.  However, considering his conviction and imprisonment for dogfighting, it also shows his poor decision making.  There were games where he simply dominated.  There were games where you simply did not know which Vick would show up.

 

What happened in Atlanta during the Vick years is they could not draft anyone to compliment him.  Wide receivers?  Well, if you QB plays as a running back for much of the game, you end up playing as a blocker.  Runningback?  Well, look at Vick's numbers.  Why have a runningback on your team, if your quarterback amasses yards?

 

I would commend Vick for wanting to return to the NFL after his sentance, However, he should return as a runningback, because he is much more geared for that position.

 

With the pick of Matt Ryan, the team turned a corner.  Micheal Vick's time in Atlanta ended when Matt walked the stage.

 

Much pressure will be on Mr. Ryan. Even if he fails his first year, Atlanta will have someone to root for. Someone the coaching staff and fans to believe in.

 

I seem to recall a certain quarterback that was drafted by the Falcons in 1991, and was traded because the coach simply didn't like him. Now that quarterback is on his way to the Hall of Fame. His name is Brett Favre.

 

One became a legend. One fell from grace. One is unproven, but he probably has the hardest shoes to fill.

 Love Is Hope And Hope Is One

 

Love is hope and hope is love, love and hope are one

And we all need to embrace them both

Hope and love and love and hope bring us together

And hope is strong

As love is strong

Love, love

 

Hope and hope

Bring us together the ones who see,

Bring us together who cannot see

Hope and love, love and hope

May you unite our country

I felt so Bono on that on the lyric and the theme

 

Let us believe in ourselves

Let us believe in ourselves

Let I hope you feel that you're right

In everything that we're all feeling

That it must be made right

 

The little people will be heard,

You think you could make it all end so soon

You forgot us, the little ones

Now it seems you need us to make you so

Esteemed

 

So now we're supposed to ignore everything you've said

Now you want us to embrace you

 

Walk the path

Know the path

Walk the path

 

When you walk the path you will know that if you're faithful

If you're unfaithful, don't lie about it

Walk the path that I've had it's not of shame

When will you see

That we just want to live

Little drops in the rain?

 

Don't pander to me, just listen to me, let me tell you reality

 

Walk with me to the valley of discovery

It's the place where we can find peace

If you walk the way I walk, then you'll understand

God is my Saviour, through his Son

We were allowed to cry

 

So cry

So cry

 

Walking on the grave of Memorium

I felt the pain of it all

As I walked I saw nothing but tears

As I walked, I held back mine

As I walked, I secretly cried

 

I didn't want even to try, I wanted to be a man

And emotionally, I left myself scarred

I felt to heal the wound that I saw that day

 

Then I woke up early Sunday morning

And as I witnessed Him walk down the same path

I could not keep my eyes off the screen, I just had to kneel

Seeing Him there, helped me realize that I am just a Spirit

 

One of Peace

 

I felt at peace

 

All of the hatred to those who have done this

Simply left me, I felt my mind has been truly cleansed

Walking Sacred Ground, and seeing it Blessed

Truly helps ease the pain

 

I'm a Child of Christ

Thank you Lord

For Finally Healing My Pain

Well now, that was an entertaining start to my day.

 

Last night before I went to bed, I decided to open up my front door to see how much of the "Forbidden White Stuff" we received.  Problem is, I couldn't open my front door.  At first, I feared that it was frozen at the bottom.  That woulda sucked.  So I went to bed, and figured to get up early to deal with this anomaly.

 

This morning, with the light of day, I managed to get an idea of how deep it was.  Hoo boy.  So I slipped on my clothes, shoes, and my snow shoes, and went out my back door (I had checked to see if I could open it prior to bed.)  I walked around my place, and picked up my weapon.  Thankfully, I didn't store my shovel under my deck just yet, and surveyed the scene.  The thinnest part of the snow was about three inches on the east parimeter, eventually drifting up to  just under the screen of my screen door. I looked at my little sidewalk, and it was a nice drift as well.

 

My first fear was that of, "Heavy snow."  It was kind of compacted, but not back breaking.  I first did my walk and steps, and eventually worked a small corner of my deck.  I then began to push the lighter stuff off to the side, until I had maybe a quarter of the deck showing.  Then I went to the end of the deck, and began to cut the snow at an angle and pushed it forward.  It was more effective than trying to lift  and toss.  Eventually, I managed to get the entire thing cleared.  It took about twenty minutes, which was better than I expected, actually.

 

Moral of story:Never store your tools away until you know damned sure that the situation it is used for will not show up again.  In other words, if I have to, I'll wait till Memorial Day, hehe.

Well, I decided to stay up last night to watch the weather report (as I try to do), and ended up watching Late Night With David Letterman, because Brett Favre was going to be on.  It was kind of a fun thing to watch, but it felt scripted alittle because Brett seemed to come off stiff at points.  He's a fairly good speaker.  However, he felt more at ease when he talked about the last game of his career (the loss to the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants in January).

 

Talk of how he would feel with mini-camps opening soon, he said he hadn't gone to any of them for a number of years. Talk of training camp, he said that it might be a little tougher, but he said he's retired.  Then Dave (as he always does when he's going to promote a DVD or CD) started playing with what I thought was going to be a career retrospective DVD.  It turns out that #4 is the player to grace the cover of Madden '09.  He's the first retired player to grace it, and I was surprised. More on this in another entry...

 

I woke up this morning and the weatherman told me 3"-6" of snow..../sigh.

 

It wasn't bad when I got to work, and I made a quick run between buildings with some computers.  When I went back to my building, it had turned to sleet in about ten minutes!  As the moring progressed, it got whiter and whiter out.  I left earlier than usual today, and the public transit I use also ferrets elementary children around, and I was a half hour late going home.  That doesn't bother me, but I saw at least three accidents, and it was not an easy ride.  One of my co-workers is stuck in town, because the highway north to the North Dakota border is shut down.  My hometown of Mitchell I guess got 12.5", and counting.

 

Then, as I was watching my evening weather report, I saw my first Barak Obama ad.  I wonder when I will see my first Billary one.  My gripe is this:

 

In both 2000 and 2004, both parties had their campaigns wrapped up long before South Dakota was to vote.  Now that the Democratic nomination hasn't been clinched, we're important.  I have two thoughts:

 

Either I could not vote, because of the hypocrisy of the system favors clinching the thing before spring began.

 

I could vote, to basically prove a point that, "Gee, these idiots are starting to realize that ignoring the little states not on a major primary date early in the season. They don't matter, since in theory, we should have had it wrapped up in February!"

 

Well, guess what?  I think the lesson that both sides should learn from this political season (and for that matter, the country (*cough Michigan and Florida *cough*)), is we should ensure that all voices are heard before there is a winner.

 

But, as usual, I'm probably blowing hot air at these idiots.

 

That's been my day..how's yours?

I didn't know of this until alittle while ago, but one of the founding members of the E-Street Band passed away Thursday from cancer.

 

Danny's organ, among other instruments he played was such an integral part of the sound, just as Bruce Springsteen's voice and Clarence Clemens' saxaphone. Or Little Steven's voice.

 

Particularly with some of the E-Street Band's older songs, like 4th of July, he truly made the boardwalk sound that became famous.

 

Danny, you are missed.

 

 

The poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote a poem called Rime of the Ancient Mariner, which is very approps to me.

 

Iron Maiden wrote a song with the same name, and it's the cliff-notes of this complicated poem.

 

 

 

 

Hear the rime of the ancient mariner
See his eye as he stops one of three
Mesmerises one of the wedding guests
Stay here and listen to the nightmares of the sea.

And the music plays on, as the bride passes by
Caught by his spell and the mariner tells his tale.

Driven south to the land of the snow and ice
To a place where nobodys been
Through the snow fog flies on the albatross
Hailed in gods name, hoping good luck it brings.

And the ship sails on, back to the north
Through the fog and ice and the albatross follows on.

The mariner kills the bird of good omen
His shipmates cry against what hes done
But when the fog clears, they justify him
And make themselves a part of the crime.

Sailing on and on and north across the sea
Sailing on and on and north til all is calm.

The albatross begins with its vengeance
A terrible curse a thirst has begun
His shipmates blame bad luck on the mariner
About his neck, the dead bird is hung.

And the curse goes on and on at sea
And the curse goes on and on for them and me.

"Day after day, day after day,
We stuck nor breath nor motion
As idle as a painted ship upon a painted ocean
Water, water everywhere and
All the boards did shrink
Water, water everywhere nor any drop to drink."

There calls the mariner
There comes a ship over the line
But how can she sail with no wind in her sails and no tide.

See...onward she comes
Onward she nears out of the sun
See, she has no crew
She has no life, wait but heres two.

Death and she life in death,
They throw their dice for the crew
She wins the mariner and he belongs to her now.
Then...crew one by one
They drop down dead, two hundred men
She...she, life in death.
She lets him live, her chosen one.

"One after one by the star dogged moon,
Too quick for groan or sigh
Each turned his facce with a ghastly pang
And cursed me with his eye
Four times fifty living men
(and I heard nor sigh nor groan)
With heavy thump, a lifeless lump,
They dropped down one by one."

The curse it lives on in their eyes
The mariner wished hed die
Along with the sea creatures
But they lived on, so did he.

And by the light of the moon
He prays for their beauty not doom
With heart he blesses them
Gods creatures all of them too."

Then the spell starts to break
The albatross falls from his neck
Sinks down like lead into the sea
Then down in falls comes the rain.

Hear the groans of the long dead seamen
See them stir and they start to rise
Bodies lifted by good spirits
None of them speak and they're lifelesss in their eyes

And revenge is still sought, penance starts again
Cast into a trance and the nightmare carries on.

Now the curse is finally lifted
And the mariner sights his home
Spirits go from the long dead bodies
Form their own light and the mariners left alone.

And then a boat came sailing towards him
It was a joy he could not believe
The pilots boat, his son and the hermit,
Penance of life will fall onto him.

And the ship sinks like lead into the sea
And the hermit shrieves the mariner of his sins.

The mariners bound to tell of his story
To tell this tale wherever he goes
To teach gods word by his own example
That we must love all things thaat God made.

And the wedding guests a sad and wiser man
And the tale goes on and on and on.

This is about as personal as I will get, but witnessing Pope Benedict XVI walking and praying at Ground Zero in New York City...

 

It took me weeks to fully describe my feelings of what I saw on July 17, 2002 to people.  One photo in particular of myself was taken by an Australian tour buddy with my own camera had been taken just moments before seeing the site.  It was essentially taken at St. Patrick's Cathedral, which essentially became a shrine.  I had a NYPD hat I had purchased the day before, and as I walked with my friend (there were two Canadian girls as well with us)...

 

That walk was interrupted with my Aussie friend needing some food.  The girls and I waited, but it probably helped me in the long run.  I knew I was going to a grave, and it probably helped me steel myself.

 

When the photo was taken, I literally gave my camera to my Aussie friend, mostly because I wanted to kneel and pray, and I felt the camera would hamper my kneeling.  I made the Sign, and took off my NYPD hat, and placed it with the memorial...which had I don't know how much stuff placed there like my souveneir.

 

I was told by a former heroin addict when I showed him my photo of me stated above, his words made sense.  I had a moment of clarity.  Even though my face showed so many different emotions that others stated (all true), his made the most sense.

 

I had a friend from work who moved to New York for a time, and three weeks before 9-11-01, she had dinner with a firefighter who died in the North Tower.  When I showed her my photos, the entire time, we just held each other and cried.

 

An hour ago, I had a moment of clarity, even though I was not there to witness it.  I watched the Pope kneel and pray, light a candle, and gave his sermon.

 

I shed tears.  When I walked the site, I didn't cry. I had no emotion. I didn't want to release it at the time, or I couldn't. But as I watched this moment of sharing with the Holy Father walking the same path I did nearly six years ago, seeing him there just allowed me to let it go.

 

All of the hatred I have held in for those responsible for this, simply left me.  Do I love them?  No.

 

My feelings for them is, I pity them.

 

I've always told people who have not been to Ground Zero that they would not understand why I could not talk about my experiences there. It's true.  However, I've always felt that a person has to have a frame of reference.  I limited myself to using my walk as my frame of reference.  I closed my mind on discussing this experience as the ONE frame of reference for myself.  I closed myself to people having similar experiences as I.

 

Walking the path is different than knowing the path.

 

Thank you, Holy Father.

 

Next weekend is the NFL draft, and many sports websites are doing stories concerning past drafts.  ESPN had a two-part article this weekend.  The first was listing the biggest draft busts.  Today's article was about draft steals.  At the top of the list, of course (and rightly so, I might add) is QB Tom Brady of the New England Patriots.  As the last player drafted last in the 2000 draft, he deserves the accolades he has received.

 

However, this post is actually about TE Shannon Sharpe's story, who played with the Denver Broncos and Balitmore Ravens. He won three Super Bowls (two with Denver, one with Baltimore).

 

His older brother Sterling, wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers worked out with him on the day he was picked by the Broncos.

 

The way Shannon describes his rookie year, it's literally like being picked last on a pickup game of basketball.  All the popular players get picked higher.  But, usually, the lower picks in the draft get picked on even more than the "next big star" of the upper crust of the draft.

 

Shannon said he was almost cut by the team on the last pre-season game of the 1990 season, and played his heart out.  Eventually, quarterback John Elway helped him focus.  And he ended up winning three Super Bowls.

 

The most interesting memory for me with the Broncos beating Green Bay in Super Bowl XXXII is this:

 

Sterling Sharpe had to retire a couple of years before the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI, due to health reasons.  He became a commentator, and was asked after the Packer loss if he was disappointed his former team lost the game.  He said he was just happy for his brother, even if it was against the team he played for.

 

And now, there's a possibility that Shannon Sharpe will be first ballot for the Hall of Fame.

 

Even though I watch the draft each year, hearing top picks demanding insane amounts of money without proving anything just boggles me.  And yet, here's a guy who thought he was going to be picked in the early rounds gets picked near the end of the draft, and becomes a Hall of Famer.

 

Because of Tom Brady, now there's a watch on who gets picked last.

 

To me, my point is, if you have the talent, the correct mindset, the personality, it doesn't matter where you're picked.

 

So much value is put at the upper ends of the draft, and it boils down to $$.  I hope when the NFLPA and owners get together to talk contract, perhaps they should discuss that ALL players be given a set minimum salary.

 

Pipe dream, but it's what is needed to keep players in check.  Instant cash does not mean instant success.  Work for it, boys.

 

Just ask Shannon Sharpe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't read the local paper, nor do I go the the website online much at all, but this article caught my eye as one of my modules on cnn.com has local news.

 

Tinnitus has been a part of my life for years for many reasons.

 

First, I am a musician, and a lover of music.  Considering I play guitar with distortion, you can see this as a source.  I've also gone to bed many a night with everything from transistor radios under my pillow to my portable Walkman/CD/mp3 players tied to my head at full blast. Feedback is fun to play with, but trust me, that constant buzz annoys me, if it's there.

 

Other similar sources are movies with big explosions, video games with same results.  Many concerts and sporting events under my belt.  Most of the above involved not having ear protection.

 

I've held jobs (current one included) where ear protection is important.  I worked in a meat packing plant in the mid 90's where machines or other noises (including consistant droning noises such as fans, or other slamming noises) could have helped the problem.

 

At Gateway, we didn't have earplugs, but as i write this, I think we should have, as our production spine when it was running full force, was...NOISY.

 

At Twin City Fan, it is required to wear them.  It make sense, as it is a machine shop situation.  Yearly hearing tests were made when I worked for them.

 

I know I do not work in manufacturing in my current job, but I do have to go through it as a part of my job.  It can be noisy.

 

As the article states, we all who suffer from tinnitus have unique sensations.  For me, the ringing is random, but it has been in different forms.  Concerts or music, I tend to have a locust-like ring.  Sporting events tend to have cheering and booing.  Random times (most times), it's the sound of crickets or locusts.  Sometimes, it's there, sometimes it's not.  It's unique, but very common affliction.

 

Mind your surroundings is the best cure.

 

Welp, the post-Brett Favre Era begins.

 

Home games in bold, nationally televised games with an *.  Unless noted, games are on Sundays. Special notes with and explaination with (1), (2), etc.

 

Sept 8:   MINNESOTA VIKINGS*(Monday) (1)

Sept 14: Detroit Lions (2)

Sept 21: DALLAS COWBOYS* (3)

Sept 28: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Oct 5:    ATLANTA FALCONS

Oct 12:  Seattle Seahawks (4)

Oct 19:  INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Oct 26:  BYE (No game played for Green Bay)

Nov 2:   Tennessee Titans

Nov 9:   Minnesota Vikings

Nov 16: CHICAGO BEARS (5)

Nov 24: New Orleans Saints* (Monday)

Nov 30: CAROLINA PANTHERS

Dec 7:   HOUSTON TEXANS

Dec 14: Jacksonville Jaguars

Dec 21: Chicago Bears* (Monday)

Dec 28: DETROIT LIONS

 

(1): Division Rival. First game with a starting quarterback for Green Bay not named Brett Favre since 1992.

 

(2): Division Rival. Hosts traditional early afternoon Thanksgiving Day game.

 

(3): Hosts traditional late afternoon Thanksgiving Day game.

 

(4): Seattle Seahawks Coach Mike Holmgren coached the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to 1998.  Started quarterback Brett Favre on Sept 26, 1992.  Won Super Bowl XXXI with Brett Favre as his quarterback against the New England Patriots, and lost Super Bowl XXXII with Brett Favre as his quarterback in an emotional Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos.  Left Green Bay for Seattle. Coached against Green Bay and lost in 2008 in Divisional Round in a blizzard game, which was the last game between Holmgren and Favre.  This season is reportedly to be Mike Holgren's last year as head coach.  Depending on playoffs, may be last game Holmgren coaches against the team that he will be responsible for bringing back to it's former dominance not seen since the Vince Lombardi era.

 

(5): Division Rival. Oldest continuous rivalry in the National Football League.

 

Stupid fact 1: Including the Packers, there are 24 appearances in a Super Bowl for a represented team.

 

Stupid Fact 2: Nine of those 24 appearing (including one by the Packers) have lost.  The sore spot is the Minnesota Vikings at 0-4.

 

Stupid Fact 3: Only Green Bay and Dallas have won more than two (Green Bay: 3-1, Dallas 5-2).

 

Stupid Fact 4: The Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts are the only team to have appeared in Super Bowls with strange firsts (however, Dallas appeared in one of those Super Bowls).  The first was with the " I Gurantee It" phrase from New York Jets QB Joe Namath in Super Bowl III. Colts got beat 16-7.  The second is against Dallas in Super Bowl V, when both teams had the most turnovers. Baltimore won.  Also of note, this Super Bowl is the only one to have the Most Valuable Player (MVP) come from the LOSING team. The third is Super Bowl XLII, which was the first to have any weather actually affect the game, as it rained during the game between Indianapolis and the Chicago Bears.

 

Stupid Fact 5: The Tennesee Titans are the only team that have lost the Super Bowl on a play that was not determined on special teams against the Saint Louis Rams in the final seconds of XXXIV. Kevin Dyson was downed one yard short attempting to place the football over the goal line as time expired.  Had he crossed the plane, the Super Bowl would have gone into the first overtime in history.

 

However, there is one Awesome Fact:

 

Awesome Fact: Super Bowl XLII is the first Super Bowl to have not one, but both head coaches (Chicago's Lovie Smith and Indianapolis' Tony Dungy).

 

So as spring comes around for summer, I'm awaiting football season...

Gee, what can five days bring?

 

Thursday, we started getting some nasty weather, where the temperature stayed just above freezing, and made it incredibly slushy out.  Friday?  I had eight inches of super heavy wet snow that was both drifting and icy (depending on the layer).  I was essentially trapped, because I could not open my door.  Road conditions in and north of town were dicey.  Some went into work, but I didn't.  I wanted to work from home and do some paperwork, but ended up just doing nothing (boss suggested just taking the day off).

 

Saturday was alittle better, and after I managed to open my door, I shoveled off my deck.  Sunday?  NICE.  Yesterday (Monday), nicer still!

 

Today?  It felt like spring or even early summer!

 

Spring, you are evil at times.  I don't go by the date of spring to call it spring.  I call it spring when the snow finally goes away for good, as I hate snow.

 

It only took you a month....

The Olympic Torch passed the the United States via San Francisco to the point that it was given Secret Service treatment to avoid protests.

 

London and Paris authorities pretty much did the same.

 

I do not want the Olympics to be marred with politics.  The lessons of Jesse Owens should prove that fact. Sadly, if things continue the way they are...

 

If we are not careful, the next Olympic Games will be sticks and stones.

 

I gladly hold the Torch for both Freedom and for Peace.

If you are not moved by any role Charlton Heston played, then in my opinion, you simply have zero emotion.

 

Ben Hur and The Ten Commandments I fell in love with when I was in high school.  One of my favorite history teachers used these films as a tool when we were studying Biblical times.

 

I really can't say anything more about this man.  Let his work tell the story.

 

Rest In Peace, sir.

 

 

 

I. Overture

"And the meek shall inherit the earth."

II. Temples of Syrinx

We've taken care of everything
The words you hear the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
It's one for all and all for one
We work together common sons
Never need to wonder how or why

We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls

Look around this world we made
Equality our stock in trade
Come and join the Brotherhood of Man
Oh what a nice contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand

We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls.
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls.

III. Discovery

What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
It's got wires that vibrate and give music
What can this thing be that I found?

See how it sings like a sad heart
And joyously screams out its pain
Sounds that build high like a mountain
Or notes that fall gently like rain

I can't wait to share this new wonder
The people will all see its light
Let them all make their own music
The Priests praise my name on this night

IV. Presentation

I know it's most unusual
To come before you so
But I've found an ancient miracle
I thought that you should know

Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you

Yes, we know it's nothing new
It's just a waste of time
We have no need for ancient ways
The world is doing fine

Another toy will help destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan

I can't believe you're saying
These things just can't be true
Our world could use this beauty
Just think what we might do

Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you

Don't annoy us further
We have our work to do
Just think about the average
What use have they for you?

Another toy will help destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan

V. Oracle: The Dream

I wandered home though the silent streets
And fell into a fitful sleep
Escape to realms beyond the night
Dream can't you show me the light?

I stand atop a spiral stair
An oracle confronts me there
He leads me on light years away
Through astral nights, galactic days

I see the works of gifted hands
That grace this strange and wondrous land
I see the hand of man arise
With hungry mind and open eyes

They left the planet long ago
The elder race still learn and grow
Their power grows with purpose strong
To claim the home where they belong
Home, to tear the Temples down...
Home, to change..

VI. Soliloquy

The sleep is still in my eyes
The dream is still in my head
I heave a sigh and sadly smile
And lie a while in bed
I wish that it might come to pass
Not fade like all my dreams

Just think of what my life might be
In a world like I have seen
I don't think I can carry on
Carry on this cold and empty life
Oh...noo!

My spirits are low in the depths of despair
My lifeblood spills over..

VII. Grand Finale

Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation
We have assumed control.
We have assumed control.
We have assumed control.

 

The ones who get shit on

Swallow it all down their throats

The ones who

 

The ones who

Take pride in what they're doing

Crittcisim is accepted, but not by condesending voice

 

You must walk the of faith of proven ground

And stand firm to your ideals

Or you will let other tear them down

You must never show your weakness

Your weakness is compasson

 

 

You must show everyone that you are right

You, superior and know it all

 

 

Compassion is created in this bond

You know more thand I do my friend

 

 

I thank you for a job well done

(Thank you for being you)

I'll let the two videos speak for themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

All I can say is:

 

I. Want. This. Movie. NOW.

 

No offence to Smiling Jack, Mark Hamill (who voiced in the Batman cartoons in the 90's), and Cesar Romero (original Batman in the 60's), but the late Heath Ledger...

 

Heath *IS* The Joker, from what little I have seen.

 

I love his opening monologue, where he draws his lines out deliberately, until the last two words.  I so wonder how it ties in with Batman Begins.

 

I love Tim Burton's version of Batman.  It was dark, quirky, had a sense of humor.  Batman Returns was decent, but flawed. It had moments, but the penguin army still annoys me. Danny DeVito was cool as Penguin. Michelle Pfieffer as Catwoman...would kill Halle Berry's Catwoman. Batman Forever by Joel Schumacher I liked.  Val Kilmer was pretty cool, and Jim Carrey was awesome as Riddler.  I like Tommy Lee Jones, but his Two-Face was written alittle too wierd.  I feared the introduction of Robin (IMHO, Batman is a loner---no sidekicks allowed!), but I was satisfied on how he was introduced.

 

I've never seen Batman and Robin, nor will I.  George Clooney?  Oy. The Governator as Mr. Freeze? Ugh.  Made sense, but ugh from what I have seen.  Worst offense of all?  To quote Entertainment Weekly: "Nipples on the Batsuit. Nipples. On. The. Bat. Suit."

 

What I loved about Batman Begins is the fact that it's a comic book movie that delves on the horror movie side of life.  It's gritty, dark, and damned scary.

 

This trailer seems to me has upped the ante.

 

I pray that if Christopher Nolan leaves the franchise like Bryan Singer did with X-Men, Warner Brothers, I have a request:

 

FOR GOD'S SAKES, DON'T LET BRETT RATNER ANYWHERE NEAR THIS FRANCHISE!

 

I know that there are probably Robin and Batgirl fans out there, but sorry, I really don't like either of them to appear.  If they do, I want them to get the same treatment that we had with how Bruce Wayne became The Dark Knight. I honestly want this franchise to keep true to its dark nature.

 

Of all the superhero comics out there, I love Batman the most, because it's such a psychological universe.  The villians are flawed because they're messed up in the head.  What makes it interesting is that the hero (or IMHO, anti-hero) is just as messed up.  Unlike Superman and Spiderman, Batman's alter ego is a man of much influence.  He has responsibility with his company and the community.

 

7-18-08 can't come soon enough.  I'll have Indiana Jones to tide me until then.