Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Whales (1)


Monday, April 29, 2013

Contra Duck Hunt



Yes! Yes! Yes!!

Sunday, April 28, 2013

20000 leagues under the sea ride!



Holy cow! I'd forgotten about this ride until one of my fellow employees (who's going to Disney this summer) reminded me about it!

Does anyone remember this ride as well? It took you on an under water adventure in a submarine. I remember riding it as a kid and thinking it was awesome! Looking at this video it doesn't look like much but to a kid it was quite impressive!

So what ever happened to this ride? And why did they shut it down?

Well in 1995 (without any notice) Disney shut down the ride permanently  (much to the public's dismay) because it simply cost too much to maintain. With the subs limited capacity leading to extremely long line and constant breakdowns, the cost of repairing the ride and keeping the water clean enough for everyone to see through was too much for the penny pinching mouse so they decided to scrap this beautiful ride.

It's a shame too, because I would've loved to ride it once again, but I guess the younger generation will never be able to experience such a joyful ride ever again. 

Saturday, April 27, 2013

3 things from the 80

Towers of Midnight

Light!

Just finished Book #13 of the Wheel of Time series and Brandon Sanderson's STILL raising the bar from anything Jordan had written previously.

I hate to dog of Robert Jordan so much, but I now see where some of his flaws were. For one, it's obvious Jordan was influenced by the Father of Fantasy himself, JRR Tolkien. And try as he might, Jordan was no Tolkien.

He tried to be in his writing style but he really started coming up short the more books he wrote. Sanderson delivers an excellent balance of story telling that's used by just about every author today.

Instead of focusing on one character for 200 pages Sanderson balances them around chapter to chapter. He keeps you invested in each character as the story moves along. This type of delivery also speeds up the story in the mind of the reader.

Excellent delivery. Now let's see what he can do for the finale...

Friday, April 26, 2013

Contra Paper Boy



If this had been a Nintendo game back in the day...I'd have bought it the day it came out!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Monday, April 22, 2013

Excellent Star Wars Expanded Universe article!



I recommend you all go here to see it!

And no this is not spam.

Of Lando




So I’m reading in the news this week that Billy Dee Williams is upset he’s not been asked to be in the new Star Wars movies. So instead of keeping a respectful silence on the issue (as Anthony Daniels is doing) he’s decided to bring his gripe to the fans by asking them to bug Lucasfilm and Disney about “demanding” Lando be in the new movies.


First off, let me state I’m a Lando fan and one of the only things that bug me about the expanded universe is the lack of stories involving Lando. He’s rarely used in the books.

But for Billy Dee to do this just reeks of “homeless man desperate” Of course he wants to be in Star Wars, who doesn’t? It would boost his morbid career and maybe bring more offers to his agents table (which has likely been collecting dust since 1989’s Batman) But is Billy Dee (the actor) endearing enough to generate support? Let’s talk about this.



In the summer of 2005 I met the Colt 45 spokesman at the San Diego Comic Con, looking at this picture describes perfectly how he felt. I wouldn’t go as far as to say he was rude to the fans, but he sure wasn’t enthusiastic about meeting them either. I think Billy Dee cares more for his dismal career than Star Wars and the message he’s sending out to his fans is proof.

That being said, they should go ahead and put him in the movie too. I mean, come on! How many brothers have there been in the films so far?! The return of Lando should be as welcome to Disney as a fan request to see Frog Princess 2!

Sunday, April 21, 2013

The Curious Case of Mr Toad



Remember the Mr Toad ride at Disney World?

It was one of my favorite rides when I went as a kid. During our honeymoon I remember getting all excited telling Megan all about it only to discover they replaced it with a Winnie the Pooh ride.

Mr Toad came from the novel "The Wind and the Willows" I loved the book as a kid and was excited to see it had a ride. After returning from our honeymoon I looked up why it was closed.

The one in Disney Land's still open but Disney World closed theirs in the mid-90's much to the public's outrage. But to help "soften" the blow, Disney added a picture right at the begining of the Pooh ride to the left showing Mr Toad handing the deed of the building over to Owl.
Also in the Haunted Mansion's pet cemetery lies the old statue of Mr Toad from the ride.

Now I didn't know about this until last week and we won't be going back to Disney World for at least another 2 years but you can bet that the next time I do I'll be looking out for this!


Saturday, April 20, 2013

The Gathering Storm

NOW we're talking! Hate to say it, but Robert Jordan's death was the best thing for this series. Sanderson does a phenomenal job breathing new life into a series that was going stale fast. Here's the main contributions that were added:

1) Better Dialogue: The characters are finally having meaningful conversations that move the plot along instead on needless banter about pointless actions that have no impact on the story.

2) Shorter Chapters: One thing Jordan loved was his 70 pages chapters, that seemed to never stop. Now the chapters are much shorter and the story better condensed so that you get a real feel over what's going on with the development.

3) Much needed humor: Jordan was the "last" of the old school of thought that believed humor had little or no use in novels. I don't even remember him writing a humorous part in his novels until Sanderson came along and added it in. It fits in seamlessly with the characters and adds a good laugh that's been lacking in a story so overly depressing.

4) Tie-ins and back story: Maybe it was in Jordan's outline given to Sanderson but I doubt it. Sanderson is a master at tying in old story plot lines together and having them make sense. He also provides excellent recaps so the reader isn't lost when they come back to an old story line. (something Jordan never did)

I gotta admit, this book was an excellent read and felt just like Jordan's first 2 novels, it was written with passion.

Bring on Book 13!

Friday, April 19, 2013

Southern Fried Funeral

Megan's doing dinner theatre at the Strauss! If you want to check it out, performances are next weekend and tickets are available at: 318-323-6681

Hopefully I'll get some video of it by the end of the month to post on the blog!

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Vader goes to Disneyland



My favorite part is when he whips out his lightsaber on the Haunted Mansion ride Ha ha ha ha ha!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Introducing Ed Bassmaster



Someone showed me this YouTube guy last week and I think he's hilarious!

This is one of my favorites...

Monday, April 15, 2013

Awesome bedrooms

Time to look at a few bedrooms I'd LOVE to sleep in!


Check this one out. It's a Y-Wing from Star Wars. I have no idea WHY someone would make this but I have to admit it's pretty cool. Now if they could attach a tv screen in the front window I could hook up my xwing game and play in the cockpit loft section of the bed.

OH YEAH! I can hear Megan calling me now! "Matt!, it's time to come down from your Ywing and eat supper!"

Me: "Awww, c'mon! 5 more minutes?!"



Next, check out this totally-too-awesome-too-describe Batman themed bedroom! Looks just like someone Bruce Wayne would have at his Manor. The Batman skylight shone in picture 3 seals the deal for me. Now all you need is a replica costume and a dvd of fake Gotham Police reports to play on that TV and I'm in heaven!

That's all for now folks. Have a good weekend!


Sunday, April 14, 2013

Cool children's room

How sweet is that?! As a big Calvin and Hobbes fan this would be want I'd want my kid to stay in. And true to form there would be a "No Girls Allowed" sign posted on the side of the bed.

LOVE IT.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Knife of Dreams

Blood and bloody ashes!

So I've finished reading the final book Robert Jordan finished before his death. It should've been titled "NOW We're Getting Somewhere"

In this book, Jordan finally begins to tie up all the "side storylines" and makes it obvious he's planning for the next book to be the last in the series.

Unfortunantly he died and his greedy publisher only saw $$$ signs on his casket so they divided the book into 3 more and had Brandon Sanderson fill in the rest.

I am interested to see how he does with the series from here on out AND if it's going to be worhtwhile reading all 3 books or finding out if one book would have been sufficant.

Either way, I'm glad Jordan went out on a high note with this book even though he didn't make it around long enough to finish it himself.

Next week, Book 12!

Friday, April 12, 2013

Wid and Stache Bash tonight!

Items up for auction:

Autographed Duck Dynasty memorabilia
Avette Brothers Dallas Concert ticket package
Third Day VIP Backstage access concert package (with meet and greet, dinner, hotel and autographed posters provided)
Deep Sea Fishing Trip
Hot Springs, AR weekend getaway
Gulf Shores Condo Week getaway
2 original Blue Dog Signed Prints
Autographed footballs from Nick Saban and Les Miles

Silent auctions include over 40 local services, restaurants and boutiques!

Several Door prizes (including an iPad!)

Tickets are $30 at the door or $25 if you call before 4pm and sweet talk the lady at 805-0116

See you there!!

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Monday, April 08, 2013

Drive Thru Prank (hilarious!)



Someone give this man an award.

Sunday, April 07, 2013

Another one bites the dust

Disney swings the ax again and shuts down Lucas Arts for good. A lot of my friends who were hailing the arrival of Disney as a "savior" of the Star Wars brand are starting to have "bad feelings about this"

Actually, I'm not here to say "I told you so." I actual agree with this decision! In fact all of Disney's decisions so far have been good.

Clone Wars needed the ax, it was a sluggish series that rarely delivered. Seth Green's Star Wars Detours was a train wreck waiting to happen and Lucas Arts were really spinning their wheels with poor titles and games half the time.

I know it sounds harsh but all 3 of those decisions are "thumbs up" for me.

Who else deserves the ax? Hmmm...only time will tell.

Have fun wearing your Mickey Ears!

Saturday, April 06, 2013

Crossroads of Twilight

Egad. I'm at the point now on where I can't decide whether Jordan's dragging out the story on purpose or if this was some sort of "cash grab" agreement between himself and the publisher.

The first 500 pages of the book talk about what the other characters were doing...during the last few pages of the last book when we were reading about Rand (the main character)

Yikes.

Nothing much happened in this one either but I have hopes of progress for the next book since I believe Jordan was originally planning to have 12 books in the series but needed some "filler" to make it that far.

We'll see if my theory comes close to panning out in the next book...

Friday, April 05, 2013

Sea World Expansion (what they should do)

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

Sea World sucks.


Have a good weekend folks!

Thursday, April 04, 2013

Six Flags Expansion (what the should do)

To me, Six Flags has so much unused potential it's not even funny. These folks are literally letting people walk out the door without giving them the experience they'll never forget!

This theme park may play 2nd fiddle to others but here's some ideas that could make them a huge contender in no time.

First off, 6 Flags needs to get off their high horse and get back in the game by allowing guest to bring drinks (non-alcoholic of course) and snacks into the park with them. EVERY of park allows this, why don't you? Let's be honest. You're going to let someone pass out from heat exhaustion because you wouldn't allow them to bring bottled water into the park and they refused to pay $12 for a soda.

Moronic.

But Six Flags has a lot of options to pursue. One underused option is their park rights to Looney Tunes characters. They hardly do much with them at all around the parks except for advertising. But wouldn't it be nice if we saw a lot more?

How bought a kiddie ride like the several there are in Fantasy Land at Disney? You could have a children's ride featuring all your favorite Looney Tune characters in slow moving props (like in the Peter Pan ride)

What about a Road Runner ride that's similar to Disney's Fast Track? Name it Wiley Coyote's Run as you zip around a track trying to chase down the elusive  Road Runner.

A Taz's Spinner, a ride that spins you around like the Tasmanian Devil until you're so dizzy you can't walk straight. And would a Marvin the Martian Rocket Ship ride be all that hard to put together for kids?!

Six Flags also own the rights to DC characters for their parks but besides the gift shops and a few rides, you'd hardly know it. DC may not be sitting high above as king of the Box Office these days (thanks to Marvel's brilliant marketing strategy) but one this is certain, DC will not be on the bottom for long. They've got a wide range of heroes at their disposal and  Six Flags should jump to using them while the "getting's good"

How about a ride simply title "The Flash" that's very similar to the Cheetah Ride at Busch Gardens. If you don't know what I'm talking about check it out here on YouTube.

They should also have a ride called "Green Lantern's Light" showcasing this hero's journey through space in a 3D ride similar to the Spiderman ride at Universal. Visit the planet Oa and meet the Guardians as the give Hal Jordan his mission. Fly with him in a protective green bubble and witness him fight Mongrel, Sinestro and other villains until you finally arrive safe on earth.

After that, you should head over to "Hawkman's Roller Coaster" a ride the corries your horizontally through twist and turns similar to Sea World's "Manta" ride seen here of course the ride wouldn't include water.

But the most popular super hero themed ride would be "Green Arrow's Hot Shot" similar to any of the "shooter" rides at other parks this one will have a bow attached the cart that you pull on to shoot arrows at various targets through out the ride. The scores are shown at the end.

Of course they don't all have to be rides, you can have the Hall of Justice Grill or how bout a Wonder Woman "Amazon Makeover"  for little girls. Just like Disney's Bibbity Bobbity Boutique which rakes in millions every year for them!

And as Disney has it's "Pirate Makeover" for boys, Six Flags could do even better with "Robin's Sidekick Shop". Where boys can dress and pose for pics as their favorite super heroes!

And dang, while you're add it, schedule an appointment for me. I'd love to see how I look in a pair of Riddler tights!

Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Universal Studios Orlando Expansion Plans (what they should do)

In other theme park rumors, Universal Studios is also rumored to be expanding their parks as well, by adding more to Harry Potter World and they are even in talks with the Tolkien family over having a Middle Earth themed park as well!! (no joke, they already took out a copyright for a theme park named "Middle Earth")

So today let's analyze what would be in Universal's best interested to do with all this.

First off, let me state I was extremely impressed by Harry Potter world. I thought it was detailed and well thought out. However, there's always room for improvement to the great park they have so far...

First would be to establish an eatery. I'm shocked "The Three Broomsticks" was never part of their original plan. Millions as tourist cash was lost in whoever made the decision not to add that. But with an expansion you easily could. I'd also add a dining halls in Hogwarts as well for good measure.

For additional rides I'd love to see a "Gringots Roller Coaster" that takes you through the immense vault, safe guarded by the goblins and what about a "Hogwarts Train Ride" which picks you up at the station takes you around Harry Potter World and delivers you to Hogwarts doorstep?! Again, this is another easy ride which I'm shocked was never conceived when this place was first created. So there you have a few expansion ideas for that.

Now about Middle Earth...oooohh, there are so many possibilities!

Of course there'd be a Hobbiton which would have a gift shop which can sell you an autograph book titled "There and Back Again" the perfect gift for travelers who wish to begin their journey through Middle Earth. Also, don't forget to stop by "Baggins End" for breakfast or lunch. You could even have a "Hobbit Horse and Buggy" ride to take you around and show you the sites. Each ride would have a Hobbit guide telling wondrous tales of those odd Baggins folk and the adventures they've heard tales of.

Move on to Riverdale, where the elves will great you with a gift shop full of elvish merchandise such an "enchanted" equipment, garb, jewelry and much more options that will take the money "magically" out of your pocket in no time. There's also a restaurant featuring all your favorite elvish dishes! Sit among the rolling hills and relax as the elves sing and perform on stage in a special themed show for the audience.

Continue your journey through Middle Earth by riding "Orc Mountain" a boat ride that takes you into the dark caverns of the Orcs. Keep silent or you will be captured, but wait! Another threat arises! It's Gollum and he wants the ring which he believes is in your possession! Rousing the Orcs you narrowly escape them and Gollum as you exit the boat and continue your "journey"

"Escape from Lonely Mountian" is a 3D ride where you sneak into Smaug's lair to steal his gold only to wake the Dragon and go on a wild romp on an eagle as you soar above and witness Smaug's destruction of the nearby town. But don't worry courageous thieves, Smaug takes an arrow to the heart and perishes by the rides end.

Our next stop is the old forest of the Ents. Enjoy a stop by their juice shop and pass animatronic trees as they speak to you of times long gone by.

You're final stop to your journey is "Roller Coaster of Mount Doom" a super intense that's not for the faint of heart. Huge drops twist and loops abound in this wild ride to destroy the One Ring once in for all.

Your quest is over, the journey's done and the circle has brought you right back to where you started in Hobbiton. You wave good bye to the friendly Hobbits as you leave the park as well as all the thousands of dollars you spent on your trip to be there.

But then again....it was worth it.


Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Disney Expansion plans (what they should do)

It's no secret that Disney's wanting to add a Star Wars world to their parks since the Harry Potter world's been a boon for their opposition over at Orlando Studios but a few weeks ago it became official with survey's being passed around Disney Land asking folks if they'd like to see a Star Wars theme park at Disney.

Of course they would. Who doesn't?

Rumor has it they'll build it out next to Car's Land in California and in Hollywood Studios over in Florida. But what should it be?!

I have a few ideas....

A few months ago I posted this photo of what a Star Wars theme park would look like:




As you can see, there's a lot of good ideas here.

The opening gate where you enter and exit will be run by Imperial Stormtroopers, who will check your purse, backpack or any other belongings you have on you for the safety of the park. The shift managers will be dressed as Moff's or Imperial Navy Officers. They'll also kiddingly "debrief" you as you exit the park. Reminding you that all merchandise leaving the park is taxable by the Emperor and that Lord Vader would be most displeased if he discovered any of them visited the Jedi Temple. 

The Jedi Temple lays in the middle of the park and has stunt shows features the cast as Jedi, battling droids, stormtroopers and of course Sith. I'd even love a puppet Yoda to rise up from an overlooking balcony, asking for the spectators assistance by "using the Force" to help the Jedi at some point. I think it's be awesome. Of course inside the castle would be a Jedi-themed dinner hall, gift shop and perhaps some Jedi loitering about (in rooms like the Thousand Fountains) talking to and instructing the guest (or "Young Jedi") in how to channel the Force. 

Surrounding the Temple would be other rides, like "Escape from Hoth" an inside roller coaster that takes you up, down and all around an AT-AT as well as the snow banked hills of Hoth. 

Moving counter clockwise we have "Death Star Run" which is similar to Disney's Mission to Mars ride except Star Wars themed. You play the role of pilots for the Rebel Alliance, about to head into their greatest battle yet... to take out the Death Star! After some small "practice maneuvers"  they're whisked away in Hyperspace and arrive at the Death Run.

There are 2 versions of this ride. One is where you fly through the ditch, shooting down Tie Fighters while avoiding Vader on your tail. The next is from Return of the Jedi where you're soaring inside the Death Star avoiding structional hazards while trying to get to the center of the space station. 

Moving on we have a beautiful "Naboo Boat Ride" which is very scenic and possibly has some animatronic creatures from the planet as well as some live cast members dressed as Naboo waving to you as your ship sails by.

Also in "Naboo Land" is "Jar Jar's Bongo Adventure" A 3D ride where you join Jar Jar on a wild ride through the planet's core. Several obstacles await as you narrowly make it out by the clumsy antics of Jar Jar himself. (who is swimming outside your Bongo as you ride)

Moving on, we get to Tattooine. Where you can stop by the cantina for a bit while a animatronic band (similar to Chuck E Cheese back in the day) entertains you with music. There's even some blue milk in a souvenir mug! From there, hop on the "Boonta Eve Coaster"  that takes you on a wild ride around the planet. On the other end of Tatooine is Watto's GiftShop and another eatery called Jabba's Palace that features live performances on a stage with an animatronic Jabba in the back ground.

Now we go to Endor where just like Swiss Family Robinson, there's a set that looks just like an Ewok village, where midgets dressed as Ewoks take photos with you. There on course a gift shop located in one of the huts and even an "Ewok Hang Glider" children's ride that take you high above and around the forest.

Next we head over to Chewbacca's home planet of Kashyyyk where the they take on you a "Wookie Zip Line" over the deadly forest beneath. There's also a bakery featuring the extremely popular "Wookie Cookie" which you've just GOT to try! It's HUGE and satisfies your Wookie appetite guaranteed. 

So what do you think? Ready to go there? I am. So Disney, count me down as a "Yes" is this Star Wars Dream Park becomes a reality.

May the Force make it so...

Monday, April 01, 2013

April Fools Day!

There was no Easter Egg on the blog!

If you spent some time checking for it, then you're a "winner" in my book! LOL

Happy April Fool's everybody!