Feedback for Augiedb on his latest Pipeline article

I have been thinking about what you wrote in you Pipeline about dropping the monthlies in favor of the trades.

Since 140 characters is not a long enough space to respond properly on Twitter, I decided to do it this way.

In essence, I can agree with a lot of what you are saying. There are many titles if you simply do not buy that week you will likely not buy the following week. It is because of this behavior my current pull list is comprised of titles I actually want to read.

I tend to follow certain writers. I will instinctively pick up anything written by Warren Ellis. I can't help that. I am in his thrall. I also like the work Geoff Johns does with his books. I never thought I would be reading a Green Lantern book. However, Sinestro Corps War caught me. I now am in great anticipation of Blackest Night.

There are some titles I used to get as a monthly. DMZ, The Boys, Y the Last Man, Ex Machina to name a few. I have all those titles now as trades. They look fabulous on my bookshelf. They are also the kinds of titles I can point people to if they are new to comics. Makes it easy to give them a full story arc and not worry too terribly much about the condition of the book.

As for the difference between ordering trades from my LCS or ordering them from Amazon? It is a no-brainer, my LCS cannot compete with Amazon on price. So, when it comes to choosing between getting a trade from my LCS or Amazon, it comes down to a simple decision. When do I want it? If I feel I can wait a few weeks for it, then I will order from my LCS. If I want it in a few days, then Amazon is my choice.

Even at that, I still order trades from my LCS due to the fact the person who owns and runs it and the people that work there are phenomenal. They have earned my loyalty time and time again. They know who everyone is, the store is in great condition. Not dirty, well lit, personable staff.

So, as I have said, choosing between monthlies and trades comes down to writers and the stories that are being told. I tend to like superhero stuff monthly and creator original stuff in trades (except Warren Ellis because you never know when the issues will end). And the choice between ordering trades from my LCS or Amazon comes down to when I want it.

I hope you understand my thoughts behind my response. Keep up the good work. And I am still waiting for an area on your photo-blog where I can see the original picture vs the photo shopped one you post. Being a person who knows next to nothing about photography, it would be nice to see the difference.

Attempting to bring everything together

I have been playing with several "social networking" sites lately.

In the coming days, I plan on using all at my disposal. Let's see how it plays out.

Funny Video

The Japanese always seem to have the weirdest, craziest, and funniest game shows. This one is no different.

They get a group of guys to play the game of soccer while wearing binoculars. What ensues is hilarity.

Enjoy.

Amazing Video

I do not know what to make of this video.

If this is a fake then they did an outstanding job.

The video is supposedly showing what happens when the framerate of a camera precisely matches that of the rotors of a helicopter.

Take a look.

Lord of the Rings Meets Transformers

The title of this post pretty much says it all. Someone, somewhere, synced up scenes from the Transformers 80s cartoon with lines from the Lord of the Rings movies.

Enjoy.

The Dark Knight

Well, they have released the first teaser trailer for the upcoming Batman movie, The Dark Knight.

Visually, there is not much to see but the exploding Bat logo. However, the audio does have some nice tidbits.

Enjoy.

New Information Regarding Pat Tillman

To all the people who voted for King, err George Bush in 2004, I hope you are happy with how things are turning out. I hope you are happy that King George is LYING to the American public and the world every TIME HE OPENS HIS DAMN MOUTH.

His claim of Executive Privilege in the Pat Tillman murder case is astounding. Why would a president feel the need to make the murder of a Corporal in the Army Rangers top secret information? Why cover up his murder by his fellow Rangers?

Murder, you say? When did this become a murder? It just now has.

A new article from the AP is making this claim based on doctors evidence from the ones who did the autopsy.

It appears that Pat Tillman was gunned down in cold blood, execution style. 3 bullet holes to the forehead. Executed. By AMERICAN soldiers.

I cannot begin to describe the horror and anger I feel right now.

The fact that American soldiers can turn on each other and execute a fellow member is mind boggling.

the fact that this king can claim it to be a matter of national security by claiming executive privilege pisses me off. King george is an utter waste of human material. And his Sith master, Darth DICK Cheney, is the ringleader of this whole shitfest.

The way that they constantly and arrogantly take a shit on the US Constitution and LIE about it is beyond belief. Then they claim that anyone who accuses them of destroying the Constitution is somehow not a patriot and is helping the enemy.

I hate everything that Darth Cheney and king george stand for. They are bad men. They should be thrown in prison. They should be arrested. They should be tortured just like they torture anyone who gets in their way. They should be disgraced.

I hate them all. I hope they die lonely and forgotten behind the baseboard of a soiled bathroom in a poor neighborhood. With their hands in Tony Blair's pants.

Jim Valvano At the 1993 ESPYs

There is not much I can say about this man or this speech that has not already been said before. It is one of the more inspirational speeches that you will ever hear.
Jimmy V was dying of cancer when he gave this speech. He tells all of us how we should live our lives.
Every day we should laugh, think, and have our emotions move us to tears. These are words to live by.
If you ever feel like you are having a bad day all you have to do is watch this video.
Enjoy it. Leave a response. Tell your friends.

Who Really Runs The Country

I found the following picture via reddit, that shows who is actually running the country. I find it funny yet somehow has the sense of reality.
Enjoy.

Dick Cheney Is A Rogue Nation

I love watching the show Countdown on MSNBC hosted by Keith Olbermann. He is a very intelligent and witty person. I have always received a kick out of him beginning with his days on ESPN.
I have been reluctant to add political content to this blog lately, but I cannot pass up on this one. The following video comes from the episode on June 21, 2007. Evidently, Dick Cheney has officially listed himself above the law.
Olbermann's comments are both hysterical and sad at the same time.

I Dare You

Seriously. Prove to me that you don't find the following video too cute. I dare you. I don't think you can.
You will be overcome by the cuteness of it. You will not be able to help yourself.
Watch it and see.

Enjoy.

The NBA Championship

Well, I just finished watching the San Antonio Spurs absolutely demolish the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4. The Cavs had no business being in the same building as the Spurs.

So, the Spurs have now won 4 titles in the past decade. Well congrats to them. But, let me speak for 98% of the country.

"Who gives a rats ass?"

The Spurs are depressingly boring to watch. I think I'd rather watch dogs commit suicide. Or, I'd rather watch another Hulk movie. Or another Schumacher directed Batman movie.

They play good defense. They are a team. Everything that the NBS is NOT supposed to be. If, I'm watching pros play the game, shouldn't they at least score more than college teams?

David Stern will never ever admit to this, but defense is bad for the NBA. There need to be more teams like the Phoenix Suns. Tim Duncan is as photogenic and charismatic as a bowl of soup.

Well, at least the NFL season is fast approaching. Ugh.
Oh, look Joel Schumacher is knocking at my door with his Batman movies. Time to throw a pizza party. Because, you know, the Batmobile can drive up the sides of buildings.

Gene Upshaw Has Gone Too Far

Well, I am sitting here watching ESPN Sportscenter and I hear this story about how Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association, is quoted as saying he is going to "break some guy's .... damn neck."

The guy he is referring to is Joe DeLamielleure, a Hall of Fame Offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills.

Upshaw's threat apparently was in response to DeLamielleure's comments about how he considers the NFLPA to be not acting in the interest of the retired players. The NFLPA has been accused by many people of not acting in a fair manner regarding the health of former players, including injuries and concussions.

DeLamielleure joins a chorus of people criticizing Gene Upshaw that includes former player and coach Mike Ditka, and Lem Barney.

I am kind of in shock as to Upshaw's threat to break Joe's neck. You have to be smarter than that. He has had his elected job for 24 years now. Evidently he considers himself above criticism. If that is the case, then he must step aside. There is no other option.

So, I join Mike Ditka in asking for Gene Upshaw to resign. Let someone else lead the NFLPA.

Schrodinger's Cat

In honor of the t-shirt from ThinkGeek about Schrodinger's Cat,

I have found a new picture that was made in the same humor as the t-shirt.

The Cubs Doing What They Do Best

Here I am browsing different sites on the internet and listening to ESPN on TV. Along comes a story that just makes me shake my head and laugh.

The Atlanta Braves are currently beating the Cubs 8-1. The Cubs losing is not what made em shake my head. What caused that was hearing that Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano and catcher Michael Barrett got into a fight in the dugout.



Let me say this for people who haven't caught on yet. These two players are on the same team. Teammates. And they are fighting.

Oh well, with the Cubs already out of the playoff race, at least I have the upcoming football season to look forward to.

Way to spend $300 million Cub leadership. Congrats.

EDIT: Well, the Cubs did lose the game. And it finally hit me, no pun intended, that the Cubs cannot even lose correctly. Ugh. I think the Cubs would save everybody a lot of time and energy if they all just went out into the street and shot themselves.

Man, I love the movie Major League.

Marquise Hill (1982 - 2007)

The New England Patriots family lost a member of that family.
Marquise Hill, a 2nd round pick in 2004 from LSU, died while he and a female friend were riding jet skis on Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans, La earlier this week. Neither were wearing a life vest.


ESPN.com says that:

New England Patriots defensive end Marquise Hill spent much of his free time and his NFL paycheck helping loved ones rebuild in the hurricane-damaged city where he grew up.
Aiding others came naturally to him, and distraught relatives on Monday said Hill died a hero after the former LSU star helped save the life of a former high school classmate who could not swim.


Apparently Hill, was guiding the lady friend to a buoy where she could hold on while he was drifting away. Evidently, he was selfless to the end.

His presence and demeanor will surely be missed on the Patriots team this year and every year ahead.

Marquise Hill was 24 years old. He leaves a 2 year old son and a fiancee.

Bruce Campbell Is At It Again

Well, Bruce Campbell has produced another Old Spice commercial. This time he is playing the piano singing the 80s song Hungry Like The Wolf.

From his previous Old Spice commercial to his cameos in the Spiderman films to Army of Darkness, Bruce Campbell, as I said earlier, has IT.

Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Transformers: The (New) Movie

Movie trailer Chuck is back with another installment. Transformers. The live action film being made by Michael Bay.

Well, I grew up on the Transformers as a kid. They were the toys that I played with the most.

Now, comes this new iteration of the figures from my childhood. A Michael Bay production.

I have already come to the acceptance that this movie will have no resemblance to what I remember from my childhood. That is probably for the better.

This way I can go out and enjoy this movie. This flick will be the ultimate summer popcorn chewing experience. I am going to go watch this movie and marvel at the shiny, explody, expensive train wreck.

I expect nothing from this movie except to say, "Heh heh, look at the cars go boom."

Oh well. At least Batman comes out next year.

Enjoy the trailer.

Does the Joker Believe In Harvey Dent Too?

The new Batman movie is still over a year away, but that does not mean that the promotional side of things is not already moving. Take the button I have on the right side of this page. The one that says I believe in Harvey Dent. It links to what is believed to be the eventual official Harvey Dent for DA campaign.
Well, not to be outdone, but it appears that the Joker has come about and started his own website, I Believe in Harvey Dent Too.
Take a look for yourself. If you wait long enough you will get to see a picture of the face of the new Joker played by Heath Ledger.
All I can say is that it looks creepy.

UPDATE: If you check out the Joker's website of Harvey Dent, it appears that the page is no longer working. But that all changes when you go to highlight the page. Go ahead. Check it out.

The escalation draws nearer. Bring it on.

The Cubs Are At It Again

Well, it's another baseball season. Another season of the same ol' Chicago Cubs. The lines of, "We'll get em next year."

Well, they pulled off another improbable loss today. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. They were leading 5-1 in the 9th inning against the New York Mets.

They spend a couple hundred million dollars this offseason to 'upgrade' the roster. Oh well. We should be used to it by now.

Ho hum.

We'll get em next year.