Monthly Archives:

October 2013

The Original ‘Empire Strikes Back’ Teaser Trailer

Posted on October 28, 2013

If you saw this teaser trailer for The Empire Strikes Back today, I wonder, would it make you excited for the movie? Trailers sure have come a long way in the last 30 + years.

Of course, filmmaking has also come a long way too, so maybe that has something to do with it. Still, seeing things like this is great fun and takes me back to easier, carefree times when I was just a kid excited to see movies.

I try to recapture those feelings as much as a can, but it isn’t always easy. Life intrudes and the demands on “adults” can often stifle those feelings. But that doesn’t mean I’ve given up. Not by a long shot.

Anyway, here’s the trailer.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omcxaMEGha0?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

Dragon Park

Posted on October 25, 2013

I love finding this kind of stuff on the Interwebs and seeing people who still care about making things better. This park looks like a fun place to visit. I wish I lived close enough to check it out in person.

The fact that it’s maintained solely through donations is also pretty cool. Here’s some more info from the folks who put together the documentary about “Dragon Park.” And no, we won’t be saying anything about the relative quality of the documentary itself.

That’s not why we’re here today. We’re just gonna let the good will flow instead:

“This is a short documentary on “Castle Park” or “The Dragon Park”, located in Carbondale, Illinois. With a unique fantasy motif, this private park attracts a variety of visitors each weekend and is funded entirely on donations.

The documentary tells the story of the park through the eyes of its patrons and visitors, and explores the reasoning behind the park’s appellation of “Carbondale’s Best Kept Secret”.

Wish I had this kind of place to play when I was a kid.

[vimeo 42254605 w=560 h=315]

Medieval Land Fun-Time World

Posted on October 17, 2013

You can probably guess I’m a big fan of the HBO series Game of Thrones. If you know me at all, ever heard my podcast or read most anything I’ve written, it should be pretty obvious I’m a geek/nerd. And geek/nerds love GOT.

The show is really fun and I enjoy pretty much every minute of it. In fact, I can’t wait until it starts again with season four.

I never read the books before I saw the series, but I don’t really see that as a problem. I think the series stands on its own as one of the best on TV.

That said, I can also see the potential humor in a lot of what goes on during the show. Some of it, although taken very seriously, could be very funny if presented in a different way. Apparently, the folks who made this video agree and have taken the idea and run with it. Far.

I haven’t laughed this much in some time. That could be because I’m extremely tired (we do have a new baby in the house after all), but if so, that doesn’t take away from the fact that this video is extremely funny. Enjoy.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Krz-dyD-UQ?rel=0&w=560&h=420]

Nerdapalooza 2013

Posted on October 11, 2013

Sadly, I’m not going to the Nerdapalooza event in Orlando next week. I would if I could, because it looks like a great time with a lot of bands, and other nerdity, I would enjoy. Plus, hello, I’m a nerd from way back.

But, as many of you know, there’s this new man in my life (his name is Max) who needs lots of attention right now and also a steady supply of clean diapers and nipples. So, no trips for me right now.

However, not being able to go doesn’t stop me from talking about the event or from posting a video about it. It also doesn’t stop me from posting this link to Z’s article at Geek Dad about what to bring to the show if you’re one of the few, the happy few, to be going.

Plus, I like cool events that cater to my people and I like to promote them when I can. I don’t get anything for it other than a warm feeling inside and the satisfaction of knowing I did what I could to help out a worthy event. So there.

Oh, before we get to the video, my pal Joe Dilworth and I managed to crank out a new episode of our podcast this week. I think it’s pretty cool. You might too.

Okay, enough self-promotion, here’s the video.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZBbvjYeOAA]

Paper Is Not Dead

Posted on October 7, 2013

I’m someone who has embraced the new technologies and does a lot of content consumption and creation via the iPad. I am also someone who still uses a pen, pencil and paper often. I really like that kind of analog stuff — almost as much as the guy who did an entire article on the best reasonably priced pen available.

What is this amazing pen? You’ll have to check out the article to find out. Rest assured, though, I have checked out the pen for myself and procured several of them for my various bags and offices. They really are quite nice.

Meantime, like the folks who made this commercial, I don’t believe paper is dead. After watching the commercial, I think you will agree.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_gOZDWQj3Q?rel=0&w=560&h=315]