Father's Day 2012

Given my past, I'm fortunate to have two special "fathers" out there, whether they wanted to be or not. Last year, after building up the courage to actually look for him,  I found out my biological father had died in March of 2001 up near Asheville, NC. I was amazed how profound this affected me after putting so much behind me over the last 40 something years of my life. How could I feel loss of something I first lost around 5 years old? Truly incredible. Being of Christian faith, I now see God had other plans, for some reason that I'll never understand. But today, I know that I am fortunate.

Terry Ducker - has been so much more than a dad to me whether he knows or not. Always there helping me to see how things actually are in his view. We disagree on some things, but agree on so much more. He sometimes changes my perceptions and challenging me to reaffirm what I believe in or think I know.  I really try not to dwell on things we disagree on.I am truly thankful he's in my life. He's rebounding from a terrible stroke last year. It's hard to sit back and honor his wishes to do things for himself. It's hard for me to see him get so upset over too many things I don't think he should get so upset over, but that's one of the things we disagree on. I don't want to disrespect him. I'm thankful and fortunate he allowed a snot nosed 7th or 8th grader into his home and became a bad influence on his oldest son, one of my best friends, and adopt the rest of his kids as my own siblings. They are so incredible to me. Not many people grow up in a perfect family. All families have dysfunction. It's how we live through these imperfections and unhappiness that makes us strong and tests our character. We have to take the positives and love and the good times and memories and lessons learned to forge personal armor against life's more unfair than fair predicaments, imperfections and unhappiness. To me, a father steers his children through these waters the best he can. Sometimes north isn't always true when navigating life. Terry Ducker was and continues to be a very valuable, needed compass to me.

Joe Self is probably one of the most moral people I've ever encountered in my 46+ years on this planet. It is very unfortunate I don't make more time to at the very least call or stop by and say 'hello' to him. If there is a 'phrase' dictionary out there, for the phrase 'walks it like he talks it', he would be the FIRST example or definition. He would also be the first to shy away from such compliments. My 'brother from another mother' Terry Self is one of the luckiest people I know because of his father. Terry is probably one of the few people who will actually acknowledge this. Joe Self allowed gave me sanctuary more than a couple of times in my life when I was more than down only luck. They way he lived his life and took care of his family and myself at times was a no nonsense, caring, and instructional to me. He did not judge me for the predicament I was in at the time. He seemingly added more hours to the day for his son and at times for me. I'll never forget taking time to pass a football around with Terry and I in a field at Donaldson Center close to where he lived at the time. He can laugh at himself which is rare for many people. Only until recently did he hang up the cleats and baseball glove to stop playing softball for church. A church he used to preach at and still looked upon as many people's pastor. To me he's a firm believer of 'free will'. He won't beat you over the head with Christianity or the Bible, he'll simply show you or expose you to the truth and what path may be the best for you and allow you to make the choice to take it or not. You may not like what he says and it may contradict what you feel inside, but my experience is that he's  dead on target. He'll be there for you at anytime of day or night. He's a calm voice of reason is emotional chaos. Joe Self is one of the few people out there you can actually believe it when he tells you 'everything's going to be alright'. 

I'd like to stop rambling now and wish both of these guys as well as all the other dads out there a very Happy Father's Day...

Heeeeee's Baaaaaaack!!

Recently stories are beginning to surface on how Bill Clinton may be setting himself and/or his wife up for political office in 2016. Bill Clinton's recent remarks concerning the Romney campaign (tepid support for Romney' and his brief tenure at Bain Capital) and his support for the Bush tax cuts (until next year, at least) have Democrats scratching their heads. Republican sycophants are licking their lips at the free mud they can now sling at Obama using Clinton's words. The NY Post ran a story over the weekend concerning Bill Clinton's supposed posturing and positioning at an event where Clinton praised NY Governor Andrew Cuomo suggesting, like his recent remarks, indicates he's positioning himself for something like the Secretary of State job should Hilary Clinton not run for President. Then of course, there are the countless blogs and news stories questioning Clinton's loyalty to the left with headlines declaring he's crazy or crazy like a fox. Hmmmm. What do you think?



On a more humorous note, Zimbio.com is running what I consider to be a hit piece on the right boasting that Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Matthew McConaughey, Freddie Prinze Jr., rapper 50 Cent, Vince Vaughn, Adam Sandler, Joan Rivers, and Shannen Doherty are all proud Republicans.

PROMETHEUS : A Short, Quick Review



What a spectacular film. Yes it’s very familiar for the most part and yes it’s somewhat predictable in areas. This movie is a high quality effort in so many areas.

The Nostromo, Ellen Ripley and Ash have been replaced with Prometheus, Elisabeth Shaw and David. The female actress playing Shaw does a good job, but she’s no Sigourney Weaver. That being written, her character (Shaw) goes through a lot in this film and endures much more than Ripley did in the ‘Alien’ movie. Michael Fassbender excels in this movie and steals in, in my opinion. His ‘David’, like many other sci-fi humanoid robots, endeavors to be human. Much like ST:TNG’s Data. Fassbender show me what it would have been like if “they” had cast Patrick Stewart as Data instead of Brent Spiner. Charlize Theron adds weight to the characters as a supporting actress in my opinion. The Watchmen’s Patrick Wilson plays Elisabeth Shaw’s religious father.


Sorry for the tangent.

As with Alien, Prometheus is as much horror as it is science fiction, which is a compliment. Not your usual sci-fi horror that’s been released over the years. Most of these fail. Prometheus does have it’s faults. Among them are minor plot issues, and those annoying philosophical discussions about the beginning of mankind and humanity. I can see how it can be argued that Prometheus isn’t all that original when compared to ‘Alien’. I think there’s enough difference that makes this movie stand on it’s on.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will no doubt take notice of the film’s special effects. To me, one of the best quality special effects I’ve seen in a very long time- absolutely brilliant. The 3-D version may actually be worth the extra cost of your movie ticket. There will be (are) negative reviews about this film. I think it’s one of those great summer movies you HAVE to see in a theater.

Hot Enuff Fer Ya?

RE: The new "Prometheus" movie- WOW! I was so surprised. I'm a fan of the 'Alien' movies, this movie surpassed my expectations in many ways. Michael Fassbender (Magneto in X-Men 1st Class) is going to be the newest 'it' actor I predict.

What's up with all the cannibal stories lately?

A womern at a Missouri Wal-Mart was being detained at the store’s loss prevention room and decided to cook up some meth while waiting for the cops…

In case you haven’t heard, we’ve got an electoral MESS here in SC. It’s overwhelming to me trying to sort it all out.

Here’s a picture of your favorite MST3K robots in Lego version!!

So Donald Trump is going to sue Miss Pennsylvania for saying the Miss America pageant is rigged?

Police in Nashville Tennessee say former Fleetwood Mac bassist Bob Welch died from a self inflicted gunshot wound..

DC Comics will rehash an old marketing idea when it releases “Issue #0” of many of the company’s current comic books in order to explain to new reader’s (and those of us who aren’t so new) these character’s ‘NEW” origins. Last year, DC rebooted it’s lineup by introducing a storyline that reshaped the DC universe and introducing an alternate “Earth 2” universe. Don’t get me started on this….

Check out these Ewok made-to-order dresses!!

AMC has released the first image of English actor David Morrissey as the fan-favorite villain The Governor from the upcoming third season of "The Walking Dead."

Samuel L. Jackson has been cast as Pat Novak, a charismatic media mogul and a powerful force in the next Robocop movie; allegedly a reboot.

And finally, I saw Bill Murray on the Late Show with David Letterman last night. He looked real good. Was dismissive about Ghostbusters 3. He said he didn't have as much fun filming Ghostbusters 2 and that it was real hard ot capture the magic in the first one. He said he's seen many scripts over the years and didn't like any of them. Dave reviewed a list of Murray's prior movies. WOW!! Too many great films- along with some stinkers in my opinion. I've heard and read that Murray is not the friendliest person to people he doesn't know and is a bit of an eccentric. Along with other not so family friendly adjectives. He's still one of my favorite all-time movie guys and comedians.

What a Long "Short" Week

You guys get the hyperlinks I add to my little blurbs, don’t you? You click on them to see a web version of the story? Just checking… 

Has it been hot enough for ya? So very warm and freaking muggy this may. I really hope everybody’s wrong about it being a long, hot Summer. And of course, like an idiot, I'm going camping next weekend for not one but 2 days and nights. I'm stupid, I know.

Just who is the major DC Comics character who is NOW gay? Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern. Feh, I don’t care. I wonder if the re-introduction of the geriatric Alan Scott will include his vulnerability to wood….

OK, seriously, the character’s gayness doesn’t bother me. Batwoman is an openly lesbian superhero in the DC Universe, so no big deal. The thing that bothers me is writer James Robinson’s comment "He's going to be the leader of the team, this dynamic hero, he'll do anything to save people, the bravest man on the planet. Why not just make him gay as well?". I don’t know why that bothers me, it just does.  

Here’s another study (from Australia) touting the benefits of dark chocolate. I’m sure another liquor drink and/or beer a day study is coming soon!

I suppose by now you’ve heard about the plan up in NYC to ban sales of sodas larger than 16oz. The proposal is so convoluted. It excludes so much and is so myopic in nature. Check it out here. Many are seeing this as a way for NYC to get more revenue because while the proposal indicates you cant’ purchase certain sugary drinks over 16 oz, it doesn’t restrict buying more than one 16 oz drink. Ergo, sales tax on more than one purchase would be collected.  

Watch the newest trailer for The Expendables 2 movie HERE

Other movie news: "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," the sequel to 2011's "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," will be released on Memorial Day 2014, while the as-yet untitled sequel to last year's "X-Men: First Class" will mutate onto the big screen on July 18, 2014, Fox said Thursday. "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," which will star Ben Stiller and Kristin Wiig, has been given a Christmas 2013 release date. “The Lone Ranger,” will change it’s release date from May 31, 2013 to July 3, 2013, trotting it out against “Despicable Me 2.”

There IS such a thing as “old people smell.

SO what is all the hub bub about the new Star Wars video game, 1313?

And finally, John Edwards walks. Is anyone surprised? I do feel justice was done, however, I rarely agree with this kind of justice. Our system isn’t perfect and to me, this is one of those times the lady was blind. I’m all for second chances and all, but John Edwards repentance, albeit sincere, is just a beginning of a very long road. To me, it seems that we as a society are getting tired of all of these public scumbags being so remorseful after getting caught with their pants down or hands in a cookie jar. Too many times, we see these humble speeches of regret as a form of damage control by skilled actors or con men(women). It’s hard to tell what kind of sincerity is being displayed or expressed. A part of me really wants to believe these people, no matter what they’ve done. That’s not excusing them or their misdeeds.

What say you?