Category Archive

In case you’re living under a geek rock, let me sell this to you. Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-long Blog. Neil Patrick Harris is a second rate super villain, Nathan Fillion is an egomaniac super hero named Captain Hammer (his fists are NOT his hammer, baby), and Felicia Day is the cute laundromat girl out to save the homelss that Neil Patrick Harris’s Dr. Horrible is in love with.

It is hilarious.

http://doctorhorrible.net/

If you need to be sold on it further, here’s the trailer:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1004572358576&ref=share

So all the programming is out, and I’m overwhelmed. Once again, showing what I am interested in (though obviously since a lot of it overlaps, I won’t go to everything), and honestly, I’ve even not included things that in the past I might have been curious to go to. These are strictly the things I am eager for.

I was also surprised to see we (SOE) have some panels. Go SOE! There seem to be a lot more video game panels in general this year, though.

Friday

10:30-11:30 Spotlight on Max Brooks— America’s favorite zombie expert is a Comic-Con special guest for the first time! Author Max Brooks, whose groundbreaking work in the walking dead genre could possibly save your life some day (see his The Zombie Survival Guide), talks about his work and what’s up next for him. Room 5AB

11:55-1:00 Warner Bros.: Watchmen— A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, Watchmen is set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the “Doomsday Clock”— which charts the USA’s tension with the Soviet Union—is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up —- but no less determined —- masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion—a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers —- Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity…but who watches the Watchmen? Guest appearances TBA. Hall H

12:30-1:15 Spaced— Actor/creator Jessica Hynes (Shaun of the Dead), actor/creator Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead), and director Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz) recall Spaced, the clever and edgy comedy series that started it all for the award-winning team behind Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Plus: Q&A session. (Look for the Spaced screening tonight in the same room at 10:15PM!) Room 6A

1:30-2:30 Joss Whedon— Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and the writers and cast of his new short film, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, will show never-before-seen clips while Joss also discusses Buffy Season Eight, the Fray crossover, and the upcoming Serenity comic focusing on Shepherd Book. Ballroom 20

2:45-3:45 Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment: The Spirit— Writer/director Frank Miller and producer Deborah Del Prete are joined by film stars Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, and Eva Mendes in unveiling an exclusive preview of the new film based on the classic comic by Will Eisner. Hall H

4:30-5:30 Vertigo: View of the Future— Vertigo is a more than a name. It’s the imprint that delivers smart, provocative, and edgy books. Be here to find out what’s in store for your favorite Vertigo titles as well as some major new projects that will be announced here for the first time! Hosted by senior VP—executive editor, Vertigo, Karen Berger, group editor Shelly Bond, and senior editor Will Dennis, this panel is not to be missed, especially considering the talent in tow: Brian Azzarello (100 Bullets, Joker), Mark Buckingham (Fables), David Lapham (Young Liars), Grant Morrison (Seaguy),—Matt Sturges (House of Mystery), Matt Wagner (Madame Xanadu), Bill Willingham (Fables, House of Mystery), G. Willow Wilson (Air), Brian Wood (DMZ, Northlanders), and others! Room 5AB

5:00-6:00 Mythology, Secret Societies and Lost Civilizations— A discussion of authors incorporating Atlantis, Angels, and Abel’s murder weapon into their fiction. Panelists include Alex Archer (Rogue Angel), Thomas Greanias (Raising Atlantis, The Atlantis Prophecy), Christopher Moore (Lamb, A Dirty Job), Thomas Sniegoski (A Kiss Before the Apocalypse), and Michael Spradlin (The Youngest Templar: Keeper of the Grail). Moderated by Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy. Room 2

5:15-6:15 Entertainment Weekly’s The Visionaries: Filmmakers— Kevin Smith (Zack and Miri Make a Porno), Frank Miller (The Spirit), Zack Snyder (Watchmen), and Judd Apatow (Knocked Up) are the filmmakers who are redefining what it means to have power in Hollywood. Because their power is derived from delivering high-profile entertainment to a hungry mainstream audience and from cultivating a rabid, pseudo-religious fan following. Listen as they engage in a free-wheeling conversation on the movie business, their upcoming projects, and what it means—to them—to be a geek. Moderated by Entertainment Weekly and EW.com senior editor Marc Bernardin. Hall H

10:15-11:45 Spaced Screening— Actor/creator Jessica Hynes (Shaun of the Dead), actor/creator Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead), and director Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz) introduce a special late-night screening of their favorite episodes from the edgy British comedy series that started it all for the award-winning team behind Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Room 6A

10:45-12:00 Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog— The story of a low-rent supervillain (Neil Patrick Harris as Dr. Horrible), the hero who keeps beating him up (Nathan Fillion as Captain Hammer), and the cute girl from the laundromat he’s too shy to talk to (Felicia Day as Penny). This musical in three parts, created for the Internet and written by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, Zack Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen, premieres in its entirety on the big screen at Comic-Con. Room 6B

Saturday

10:45-11:45 Heroes: Exclusive First Look at “Villains” and Q&A with the Entire Cast, Tim Kring, and Tim Sale— Heroes chronicles the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities. Watch an exclusive first look at “Chapter 3: Villains.” Moderated by co-executive producer/comic book writer Jeph Loeb, participating in a Q&A session with creator Tim Kring, comic book artist Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween), and the cast: Jack Coleman (H.R.G.), Greg Grunberg (Matt Parkman), Ali Larter (Niki Sanders), James Kyson Lee (Ando Masahashi), Masi Oka (Hiro Nakamura), Hayden Panettiere (Claire Bennet), Adrian Pasdar (Nathan Petrelli), Zachary Quinto (Sylar), Sendhil Ramamurthy (Mohinder Suresh), Dania Ramirez (Maya Herrera), Cristine Rose (Angela Petrelli), and Milo Ventimiglia (Peter Petrelli). Hall H

11:00-12:00 IDW Publishing: Ideas and Dreams 2008— DW publisher Chris Ryall presides over a superstar panel including writer Joe Hill; artists Gabriel Rodriguez (Locke & Key), Ben Templesmith (Welcome to Hoxford), and Darwyn Cooke (announcing a surprise new project and offering up an exclusive signature card available only at this panel); writers Brian Lynch (Angel: After the Fall), Steve Niles (Epilogue), Rick Remender (Legion of the Supernatural), and David Lapham; actors Shawnee Smith and Ken Foree; IDW special projects editor Scott Dunbier, and others. And they all guarantee at least a few surprise announcements of things to come! Room 3

11:00-12:00 Watching the Watchmen— Author and artist Dave Gibbons (Watchmen) and Entertainment Weekly writer Jeff Jenson discuss the hugely anticipated Watching the Watchmen with the book’s designers Chip Kidd (Mythology, Jurassic Park, Batman Collected) and Mike Essl. Hear Dave Gibbons’ account of the genesis of Watchmen in this exclusive interview and Q&A session! Includes a presentation of rare material from the upcoming book. Room 7AB

11:00-12:00 Hellboy— Mike Mignola (Hellboy) and his long-suffering editor Scott Allie are joined by Josh Dysart (BPRD 1946) to talk and answer questions about recent events in the Hellboy books, the future direction of the series, and the first new comic Mike’s drawn in three years. Also, an announcement about the newest artists to join the team. Room 8

11:30-12:30 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Screening and Q&A— Back for a second year at Comic-Con, the producers and stars of this hit action-adventure drama will debut the trailer for season two and answer questions from fans during this one-hour session. Executive producers Josh Friedman (War of the Worlds), John Wirth (The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.) and James Middleton (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines) will be joined by returning series stars Lena Headey (300), Thomas Dekker (Heroes), Summer Glau (Serenity), Brian Austin Green (Beverly Hills, 90210) and Richard T. Jones (Event Horizon), as well as new series regulars Garret Dillahunt (No Country for Old Men) and musician Shirley Manson (Garbage). Produced by C2 Pictures in association with Warner Bros. Television, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles returns for a second season September 8 and airs Mondays at 8:00 PM ET/PT on FOX. Room 6A

12:00-1:00 Dark Horse Comics— Dark Horse director of publicity Jeremy Atkins and a host of Dark Horse editors and creators present a firsthand look at the future of comics. You will be given insight into the next chapter of the breakout hit series The Umbrella Academy, as well as a look at what the future holds for all of your other favorite series and characters. With exciting announcements and surprise guests, you won’t want to be anywhere else. Room 2

12:45-1:45 Exclusive Q&A with the writers of The Office— Meet the writers of the EmmyAward–winning comedy The Office and hear them talk about their favorite episodes, characters, and fun behind-the-scenes stories. Moderated by cast member Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute), panelists include executive producer/showrunner Greg Daniels (The Simpsons) and writers Jennifer Celotta (Andy Richter Controls the Universe), Michael Schur (Saturday Night Live), B.J. Novak, Lester Lewis (The Larry Sanders Show), Gene Stupnitsky (Year One), Lee Eisenberg (Year One), Mindy Kaling (Matt and Ben), Justin Spitzer (Scrubs), Ryan Koh (various commercials), and Anthony Ferrell (The Audacity). Room 6A

1:00-2:00 Dollhouse— When news broke that Joss Whedon was returning to television with a vehicle for “Buffy” alum Eliza Dushku, legions of fans around the world rejoiced. Although most will have to wait until January to learn more about the exciting new project, Comic-Con fans will hear it straight from Joss and Eliza in person! Ballroom 20

2:00-3:00 Warhammer Online— How do you take an entire universe with years of rich storytelling behind it and transfer it seamlessly—and in a compelling way!—to a new medium? EA Mythic’s Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning is giving the online gaming treatment to the celebrated Warhammer universe, and creative director Paul Barnett will talk about the challenges involved with satisfying the legion of Warhammer die-hards while also providing a solid and unique experience to MMORPG veterans. Room 2

3:00-4:00 Vertigo Voices Fables Forum— It’s the Fables forum with extras: Featuring the creators behind Fables, Jack of Fables, and House of Mystery: Vertigo group editor Shelly Bond is joined by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, and Matthew Sturges. It’s a Q&A unlike any other, where you’d better come armed with your best questions, because all of the panelists are sure to be feeling giddy and very candid by day three of the big show. Room 7AB

3:30-4:30 Chuck Screening and Q&A— Chuck executive producer Josh Schwartz (Gossip Girl), co-creator Chris Fedak, and stars Zachary Levi (Less Than Perfect), Yvonne Strahovski (Gone), Joshua Gomez (Invasion), Sarah Lancaster (Everwood), Ryan McPartlin (Super Capers), and Adam Baldwin (Serenity) return to Comic-Con for a Q&A to discuss the People’s Choice Award–nominated action-comedy, and to screen an exclusive series highlight reel debuting new footage from the upcoming second season. Produced by College Hill Pictures, Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television, Chuck airs Mondays at 8:00 PM on NBC. Ballroom 20

5:00-6:00 Oni Press Panelmonium 2008!— The most fun you’ll ever have at a panel! See what all the hubbub is about at indy comics powerhouse Oni Press. Get sneak peeks at upcoming projects, news on new Oni Press initiatives, and Q&A with some of your favorite Oni Press creators. Oh, and did we mention prizes? There’s going to be prizes and free comics, so come one, come all! It’s panda—er, Panelmonium! Room 3

6:00-7:00 Marvel: The Ultimate Universe Must Die!— The end of the Ultimate Universe is coming, and only these guys know how it’s going down. Join the men behind Ultimatum—writers Jeph Loeb (Ultimates and TV’s Heroes), Aron Coleite (Ultimate X-Men), Joe Pokaski (TV’s Heroes) and Joe Quesada (editor-in-chief)—as they reveal why this is the end. And you’ll never guess who’s returning! Room 6CDEF

10:00-12:00 World Premiere! Mutant Chronicles— Special “work-in-progress” feature film screening hosted by stars Thomas Jane (The Mist), Ron Perlman (Hellboy II), and Devon Aoki (Sin City). This is the first public showing in our hemisphere of this steampunk action-adventure. A disparate squad of former enemy soldiers undertakes a suicide mission deep into the seething heart of the otherworldly mutant scourge bent on human extinction. Unrated, uncut, unreal. Q&A with cast, director Simon Hunter (Lighthouse), and producer Edward R. Pressman (The Crow). Room 6CDEF

So far Thursday and Sunday have been posted, and I am very impressed. I think that the programming on what was usually more peripheral days has been getting better recently, probably due to a combintion of the increased desire to be there (resulting in more people on more days) and that Saturday programming has generally degressed into the biggest, most expensive displays. Obviously I haven’t seen this year’s yet, but there was very little I wanted to see last year on Saturday and what there was I didn’t feel like waiting in two hour lines for. So far, the things I am interested in:

Thursday

10:45-11:45 Reinventing the Page: Stan Lee and Grant Morrison Talk Virgin Comics— Two of the most important creators in the history of comic books team up to discuss the bold new frontiers being explored in the art of storytelling. Legendary creator Stan Lee (Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man, X-Men) shares his insights on the world of comics and presents never-before-revealed hints of his new superhero universe with Virgin Comics. Joining Stan is prolific creator Grant Morrison (New X-Men, All Star Superman, Final Crisis), contemporary comics’ most active mind, who will discuss his new Virgin Comics animated online series MBX while offering his own insights on comics and engaging with Stan in a once-in-a-lifetime conversation about the long history and boundless future of their beloved medium. Ballroom 20

11:00-12:00 Professional Writing: Threat or Menace?— Let’s talk writing, creativity, and selling (and selling out), and what the world of professional writing is like. Questions that you’ve always wanted to ask? Creative blocks bugging you? Wondered what the H*O*L*L*Y*W*O*O*D life is really like? Show up and get answers to those questions. This no-holds-barred talk is moderated by J. Michael Straczynski. Room 5AB

11:30-12:30 SPORE: One-on-One with Will Wright— Will Wright is best known for creating the SimCity and The Sims video game franchises, the latter of which has sold more than 100 million games to date. In 2007, he was given the Vanguard Award from the Producer’s Guild of America, making him the first person in the videogame industry to receive such an honor. Wright’s next video game, SPORE, is scheduled for release on September 7. Join Will Wright for his first-ever appearance at Comic-Con! Room 6CDEF

12:00-1:00 How Not to Break into Comics— There have been countless articles and panels on how to break into comics, but very few on how not to. Randal C. Jarrell (managing editor at Oni Press), Jennifer de Guzman (editor-in-chief of SLG Publishing), and other industry insiders discuss the common and often-hilarious mistakes people make when trying to pitch or get work in the comics industry. This unique inside perspective will help any prospective creator learn how to navigate the potential pitfalls that doom far too many in their attempts to break into comics. If you want to work in comics, you do not want to miss this panel! Room 10

2:00-3:00 Red Sonja: One-on-One— Robert Rodriguez (Sin City), Rose McGowan (Grindhouse), Doug Aarniokoski (2nd unit director, Resident Evil 3) and David White (Undisputed 2) are teaming up to bring back the red-headed warrior woman known as Red Sonja. Join Robert, Rose, Doug, and David for this one-on-one interview and Q&A session! Room 6CDEF

3:00-4:00 Spotlight on Bill Willingham— Both a master storyteller and an incredible artist, Bill Willingham has created a huge following for his books. His credits range from DCU’s Salvation Run and Shadowpact to the already classic Vertigo Fables and Jack of Fables and the new House of Mystery. Hosted by superstar Fables artist Mark Buckingham, this panel is sure to thrill! Room 2

3:00-4:00 Wizard’s First Rule— A first look at the upcoming action-adventure series Wizard’s First Rule with book author Terry Goodkind and show executive producers Robert Tapert (Xena: Warrior Princess), Kenneth Biller (Star Trek: Voyager) and Sam Raimi (Spider-Man). The one-hour weekly television show premiering late fall is inspired by Terry Goodkind’s bestselling epic fantasy series: The Sword of Truth. The story follows the journey of Richard Cypher, a simple woodsman, as he discovers the magical powers he holds within. With the help of a mysterious woman and a powerful wizard, he must use his newfound abilities to stop a ruthless tyrant from unleashing an ancient evil and enslaving the world. Join Terry, Rob, Ken and Sam for a moderated interview and audience Q&A session! Room 6B

3:30-4:30 Entertainment Weekly’s The Visionaries: Comic Creators— Jim Lee (All-Star Batman & Robin), John Cassaday (The Astonishing X-Men), Matt Fraction (Casanova), Mike Mignola (Hellboy), Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), Colleen Doran (A Distant Soil), and Grant Morrison (Final Crisis) are the writers and artists blazing a path into the future of comics. Coming from both the mainstream and the independent worlds, these men and women can provide unique insights into the comics landscape. Moderated by Entertainment Weekly staff editor Nisha Gopalan. Room 6A

5:00-6:00 Comics Experience: How to Write a Pitch!— Hosted by Andy Schmidt (IDW senior editor, GI Joe, Star Trek), panelists Mark Waid (BOOM! Studios editor-in-chief, Flash, Kingdom Come), James Lucas Jones (Oni Press editor-in-chief), Rob Levin (Top Cow Entertainment editor-in-chief), Chris Gage (The Authority, Invincible Iron Man), C. B. Cebulski (Drain, Wonderlost, X-Men: Divided We Stand) and Nick Lowe (Marvel X-Men editor) offer tips on writing pitches, pitching verbally, and getting your pitch read! Want to write a comic? Don’t miss this panel! Questions from the audience welcome. Room 30CDE

5:00-6:00 Looking at Our World: Eye on the Past— Authors discuss how they use and abuse history to inform their fictional stories. Panelists include Connie Willis (Passage), Jacqueline Carey (Kushiel’s Legacy), Max Allan Collins (Deadly Beloved), Peter David (Tigerheart), Naomi Novik (Victory of Eagles), and Jess Winfield (My Name Is Will: A Novel of Sex, Drugs, and Shakespeare). Moderated by Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy. Room 8

6:00-7:00 Spotlight on Frank Beddor— Comic-Con special guest Frank Beddor, author of the best-selling “Looking Glass Wars” series, and creator of the Hatter M graphic novel, talks about the creation of his books, gives the story behind the story, and presents concept art from a wide array of artists who have visualized his text: Ben Templesmith (30 Day of Night), Doug Chiang (Star Wars), and Stephan Martiniere (I, Robot). He’ll reveal the new online game The Card Soldier Wars, show a special effects trailer for The Looking Glass Wars movie, and discuss how each of these mediums connect and extend The Looking Glass Wars universe. Room 5AB

6:30-7:30 Adventures in Game Development— Have you ever dreamed of making your own video game? Are you a writer with a great story? Is there a place in video games for a traditional artist? Or do you just want to get into the industry? Veteran designer Alex Jimenez (Battletanxs, Darkstalkers), artist David DeVries (The Monster Engine), and author Blake Hutchins (The Sword from the Sea) answer all your questions and take you inside the video game industry. Find out what it takes to break into this competitive but rewarding field. Attendees will also get a special sneak peek at the upcoming title Blueshift. Room 30AB

(Just to see what they say)

Sunday

10:30-11:30 Marvel: Women in Marvel— She-Hulk and Ms. Marvel are powerhouses in the Marvel U, now meet the real women powerhouses who work in Marvel Comics today! Writers Robin Furth (Dark Tower), Marjorie Liu (NYX), Sherrilyn Kenyon (Lords of Avalon), Jen Grunwald (editor), colorist Christina Strain (Runaways), and Occasional Superheroine’s Valerie D’Orazio are here to answer your question about their titles, announ

12:00-12:45 Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay— Comedy legends Harold, Kumar, and NPH (Kal Penn, John Cho, and Neil Patrick Harris) appear live and in-person ato talk about the creation of their latest masterpiece—Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay—available on DVD on July 29. Don’t miss the stars of this cult classic comedy franchise as they talk about their experiences making the films and the plethora of extras features on the DVD including “Dude, Change the Movie!” where the viewer decides what Harold and Kumar do next.

1:30-2:30 Rogue Pictures— Rogue Pictures presents select footage, key cast members, and filmmakers from its upcoming 2009 slate. Scheduled appearances include writer/director Wes Craven, discussing his suspense thriller 25/8, and writer/director David Goyer, discussing his supernatural thriller The Unborn. Ballroom 20

2:45-3:45 Virgin Comics: Grant Morrison and Deepak Chopra: The Spirit of the Superhero— The tradition continues! As Virgin Comics gears up to launch the new animated on-line series MBX, series writer Grant Morrison (New X-Men, Superman, Final Crisis) once again teams with best-selling author and Virgin Comics co-founder Deepak Chopra (The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment) to talk…superheroes! Join the ongoing conversation investigating the id, ego, superego, and spirituality of the superhero—we’re talking social theory with sound effects, four colors fused with existentialism. Two of the greatest minds of comics and culture talking comics and culture—this is not to be missed!

2:45-4:15 Fraggle Rock— Help celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Fraggle Rock and learn more about this fall’s newest DVD release! Join Red—making a personal appearance—as she sneak peeks the DVD special features and some other DVD surprises!

3:30-4:30 Dave Gibbons— He’s the artist behind the cult classic Watchmen, one of the writers behind Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War, and the hidden genius behind countless other titles. We’re talking about Dave Gibbons. Be front and center when Dave talks about his art, his writing, and his love for comics. Moderated by DC VP–sales Bob Wayne, this program is not to be missed!

Got my Fan Faire room situation settled! Yay!

So nine months on Vanguard as an Associate Game Designer before everything went to tatters, and then I started over on Everquest II as an Associate again. But now, just about a year later, it’s finally happened - promoted to a Game Designer! Woohoo!

Lots of good live music the last couple of weekends. First was Nightwish at HOB, which we had a decent little crew for — John and his girlfriend, Paul, Melinda, Tom, and I. They were excellent, once again, though since this was the second time we have seen them on this tour (the first was last fall in Santa Ana), there was nothing new and mesmerizing about it. We hung back this time instead of getting up front, which gave me plenty of room to dance. It was remarked that apparently the lead signer Anette dances just like I do. They would look up at Anette and then glance at me and we’d be doing the same thing. I didn’t notice it, but from what I can remember of her dancing, I believe it.

This past weekend was Beirut. It was my first time seeing them, so I was super excited. Bryan had tickets but pulled out because a friend is moving back to Slovakia and having a going away party, and Tom confessed to preferring to stay home, so it ended up Bianca, her friend Becca, and I. We first went to Alhambra and had dinner at a yummy diner (my annual grilled cheese sandwich) and went to gallery Nucleus to check out an art show — La Femme. There was quite a lot of good art to see in the show and in their store from past shows. A lot of the artists from the comic collection Flight had prints. I almost bought one from Khang Ye, but decided to be thrifty and buy a packet of postcards instead. We stayed longer than we meant to and were no contenders for the first come first serve space right in front of the stage, but we probably would have had to have been there way early to get there, so c’est la vie.

The show was excellent. We only caught one song from the first opener, but it was good. It had a little bit of your high school’s talent band feel to it but they were definitely talented. I was very much into the second opener though, a Kiwi band called The Brunettes. A little poppy but definitely enjoyable. The band had both a male and a female lead singer, and the chick’s voice was very distinct. I had only watched Heavenly Creatures a few days before and was appreciating the New Zealand accents. I was going to pick up one of their CDs after the show but it was a mad house.

Beirut was fantastic. There were two encores, and they played every song I would have wanted to hear, plus three from the new album. What has been branded Zach’s “funeral march” music inspired by time spent in the south of Mexico is promising to be good. My favorite song of his, The Penalty, was gorgeous live. Seeing it like that really captured the whole feel of it. Between this and Brother Israel’s rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, I’ve decided that the ukulele can be perfect for capturing this sort of warbling, lonely beauty. So watching Zach up there, playing this beautifully lonely little instrument with his lone voice filling the Wiltern, I was filled with this sense of celebration of this individual and their place within the world, which is dually sentimental but also somewhat regretful. And I know the word ’sentimental’ can sort of be seen as a dirty word by many, myself included, but Beirut’s music is sentimental in the best sense of the word because it is very genuine, and not corny, and does not cover up the dirty spots. Beirut’s brand of sentimentality is remembering that family picnic on the perfect summer day and the way the cold watermelon tasted when you bit into it, streams of juice running down your chin and the grass tickling your bare legs, but also remembering the ants you had to brush off the watermelon and the fact it was the last time you were ever able to speak with your grandfather that he could remember your name. And he celebrates every last second of it. It is everything the word bittersweet is meant to convey. And then, a minute and a half into the song, the first instrument of the chorus, the deep, powerful tuba, crashes in, and with it, the rest of the instruments, so that the call of this individual becomes a shared experience, and a celebration, all the yearning is fulfilled but not invalidated.

It was beautiful.

The Wiltern is a beautiful old theater too. It was my second time there, and I was still absorbed studying the details of it between the bands.

For any San Diegans who may listen to the Mikey Show, I’ve started posting on http://www.p1site.com. They seem like a fun group of folks and its fun to have somewhere to react to what goes on, on the airwaves when my fellow P1s on the EQ2 team aren’t at work yet. Also, Woods of Woods and Bauman posts there sometimes, and the show members themselves sometimes drop by (at least to lurk).

If you aren’t familiar with the Mikey Show, it is pretty much one of the greatest radio shows ever, and certainly the best in the San Diego area. I could understand how it wouldn’t be for everyone, but the longer you listen, the more you get to love it, because you really get to feel like you know the people on the show. I really think a single listen doesn’t do it justice, as the more you understand the references and the in jokes, the better it gets. They also have a diverse cast that put an interesting spin on whatever they happen to be talking about, whether it be politics, pop culture, etc. They’re very personable. Shyness plus work commitments means I don’t get out to many of the events they have for their P1’s (priority listeners, which they identify as those who “get to their point, don’t cuss, turn down their radio, listen to the Mikey Show exclusively for long periods of time, and recruit other P1s”), but they really do a lot to make San Diego fun for their listeners. All in all, it’s a gem. Give it a listen.

p1 morgan, ftw!

If anyone is a fan of the band ‘Beirut’, a friend of mine bought a ticket for a show this Saturday in LA but has since found out he cannot go. He’s willing to sell it at a discounted rate (ticket plus ticketmaster fees made it come out to 40) and is considering giving it away if you’re flat broke. So yeah, Beirut is pretty much one of the greatest bands ever and you should want to come with us!

A very well written article (I’d go so far as to call it a creative non-fiction piece) about a game called ZT Online, which toes, and then crosses, the line from MMO to Online Gambling.

http://www.danwei.org/electronic_games/gambling_your_life_away_in_zt.php

‘Nuff said.

A great interview about the up and coming adaptation of “The Hobbit” with director Guillermo del Toro (Peter Jackson is producing, not directing, this time around).
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2008/04/25/28747-guillermo-del-toro-chats-with-torn-about-the-hobbit-films/

For me, highlights include them clarifying the “two movies” issue. The events of “The Hobbit” are going to be contained in the first movie. The second movie is going to be a bridge, covering the 50 years between the Hobbit and LotR. AND finding out that they are going to rely less on purely CGI characters and insist that everything be animatronics enhanced by CGI. That makes me really happy. I am not a fan of mixing pure CGI with real world. I prefer things to be built and then enhanced. But this is especially true for creatures. So that makes me really, really happy.

Currently, every featured video on YouTube is a Rick Roll.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_moia-oVI

Gamespot currently features such amusing headlines as “Rock Bad PSP”, “Disney Snags Bumfights License”, “Hands-on, XBOX 360 Paperweight add-on”.

http://www.gamespot.com/

Google has an application to become part of a Mars Space Colony.

http://www.google.com/virgle/index.html

The greatest Rick Roll ever — the song synced to a Muppet performance with Beaker doing lead vocals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KANI2dpXLw

WoW proposes a new bard class that looks eerily like Rock Band, and they also bring you: Molten Core.

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/moltencore/

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath/features/bard/bardclass.xml

Finally, ours. All of the chests in the game took on the appearance of Companion Cubes (from the game Portal).

In honor of St. Patty’s and the Irish heritage readily visible in my red hair… The recipe I used last night for soda bread. Some recipes are going to yield something a little more like a regular bread and some more like a breakfast/snacking bread (like zucchini/pumpkin/banana bread). This is more like the latter.

I was introduced to it by my friend Mike and I think I need to try his recipe as well to figure out which I like better.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 Tbls baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cups butter, melted
• 2 c raisins

While a print is not nearly a fitting substitute for a new book, it does feed a slight need for George RR Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series, especially when they are as pretty as these.

Eddard

Sansa

So when I first posted, they weren’t selling the Eddard print, so I bought the Sansa print. Now they seem to be selling both. Agh! I would have bought Eddard if they’d had both then. Now I need to decide whether to spend another 30 dollars when we have our impending move approaching…

Sometimes I wonder why I continue to pine for that series so much. He originally promised the next book the spring following the previous one (because, well, half of it was already written) and now it’s been more than a year and he’s thinking Fall 2008 at the earliest.

I’ve been out of blogging for a few years (except for my travelblog when I am out world stomping), and I thought maybe it was time that I got back to it.