I'd normally post a Free Will Horoscope at this point, but I'm going to forego that decision in favor of some anecdotes instead....

In the spirit of having been to so many concerts lately, we traversed out to the latest soiree which was PRIMUS! I'll agree with what one of my co-workers said, "They've been around FOREVER." Definitely true, and you can tell by how they destroyed the Wiltern. Top to bottom, one of the most energetic shows I've been to in a long time. I was surrounded by sweaty, smelly people, and loved every second of it. Now THAT is the sign of a good time. Get their latest DVD release to see what they're all about.

The basketball season has finally started. I'm following my boys this year with a closely guarded eye. I would like to see them all get along and stop complaining and start playing some basketball. Just win baby.

I'm so wanting to get this game right now too. It's just nostalgia, but at the same time I still remember how fun that game was when I played it back in the day. So long ago, but it's still a classic.

That's all for now, maybe I'll have more to report later on, let's get some consistent posting going on again, shall we?

Finally, a full update with a Free Will Horoscope:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
Do you have affluenza? The PBS TV show Affluenza (pbs.org/kcts/affluenza) defined it as follows: the sluggish, unfulfilled feeling that results from struggling to keep up with the Joneses; the stress, overwork, waste, and indebtedness caused by an addiction to consumer goods. Signs that you suffer from this malady include the following: (1) You'll pay more for a T-shirt if it has a cool corporate logo on it. (2) You're willing to work 40 years at a job you hate so you can accumulate lots of stuff. (3) You believe that if you buy the cocktail dress, the cocktail party will come. If you have even a mild version of affluenza, Virgo, I recommend that you seek a cure. The astrological time is ripe to learn about having fun and living successfully without spending lots of money.

Sure hope you're all out there having more fun than I apparently am, who believes in this stuff anyway?

Lots of companies start small and get HUGE. Dell is no exception. Starting out as an internet-only based distributor of computers, Dell has carved out a niche as a high-quality supplier of PC's. So much so that they figure on branching out into consumer electronics. My hope is that they'll continue to provide top-notch quality for affordable prices. Maybe someday I'll actually be able to afford that 42" High Definition Plasma Flatscreen TV. Go Dell!

Anyone around here listen to Rush Limbaugh? I hope not, and he's given everyone one more reason not to listen.

If any of you like movies, I recommend that you check out Tarantino's new flick that will be hopscotching its way into theaters on the 10th. Specifically, Kill Bill is supposed to be a tour de force homage to all the genre films Tarantino loved while working at a video store. This guy's seen more movies than any living person on earth. I'd imagine he's got so much trivial knowledge stored up, that he literally thinks in scripted format. Freaky. And supposedly quite quite violent too.

I'm going to be trying to cook up new ideas to spice up the blog, and perhaps even try to make it more readable in the days to come. Anyone have any suggestions? Anyone?

Anyone??

I saw two performances last week that completely blew my mind. First up, Thursday night at the Hollywood Bowl, I caught an epic show by Radiohead. These guys have been around since the '90's, which practically makes them legends. What makes them more legendary is the fact that their concerts are an experience not to be forgotten. They started off with their latest single "There There" and never slowed down. It was an audio explosion start to finish, and it's everyone's (EVERYONE's) duty to go out and buy at least ONE Radiohead album. Even if you have to download it.

Saturday was also another night for legends. Jerry Seinfeld gave two performances in one night in Long Beach. If you've seen his sitcom you have a good idea of what to expect, but the amount of laughter exceeded anything I could imagine. I was literally crying when he was talking about "4 Bucks." Comedians are awesome, even though that was only the second one that I've seen so far. Try to catch either of these guys if you have a chance. Can't go wrong.

Oh, by the way, here's a late Free Will Horoscope:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): During my recent visit to the Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert, I drank in an abundant array of confounding sights and enriching adventures that I'll remember forever. The last surprise I saw before heading home was among the most modest, but it's a perfect choice to serve as your ruling symbol for the coming week: a sign that read "The Very Tidy Pirates" above an image of a badass dude wearing an eye patch and apron and wielding a vacuum cleaner and feather duster. I hope this vignette inspires you to be wildly disciplined, neatly rowdy, and boisterously organized.

When you're sick at home, you find ways to keep yourself busy. After graduating, I thought I'd be able to make a difference right away. The reality is, you learn that you must change a lot of things about yourself first, before you can go about changing the world. We all want to make a difference in some way or another. Whether it's on a large scale, or small scale, there's many things you can do. Just don't be like this guy, and everything should work out.

Will the madness never end? It's one lawsuit after another between the music industry and the online musical distributors. Be they legit, or scurvy dogs, someone will find a reason to sue. The latest: The Beatles Sue ITunes. I wonder if they'll want a cut of the profits.

Look everyone! It's the return of the Free Will Horoscope!

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
The largest meeting of world religious leaders in history was virtually unreported by the media. The top-secret event transpired in 2002. Leading representatives from every major faith gathered in Italy. They issued a "Decalogue for Peace," which denounced violence committed in the name of God and religion, and declared, "We commit ourselves to those who suffer poverty and abandonment and who have no voice." The media deemed other stories more important than this unprecedented breakthrough, like Mike Tyson getting his boxing license, John Walker Lindh making a court appearance, and the Enron hearings beginning. A comparable marvel is unfolding in your own life, and you haven't noticed it yet.

Those Dreamwave Productions folk have their hands full lately. First they hit the scene with their neo-anime hit Darkminds, then they had the HUGELY successful revival of a Transformers comic, and now they have their first ever calendar getting ready to be shipped to stores. The Capcom/Dreamwave calendar will no doubt be huge in the direct market, but will it be a mainstream success? Let's hope so. Between them and UDON, who have had their Street Fighter comic sell-out before it even hit stores, the east meets west flava has never been bigger. No doubt we live in the era of men who've grown up in the '80's.

Not that old of a song, but Beck's still got it. Check out "Lost Cause"

LOST CAUSE

Your sorry eyes cut through the bone
They make it hard to leave you alone
Leave you here wearing your wounds
Waving your guns at somebody new

Baby you're lost
Baby you're lost
Baby you're a lost cause

There's too many people you used to know
They see you coming they see you go
They know your secrets and you know theirs
This town is crazy; nobody cares

Baby you're lost
Baby you're lost
Baby you're a lost cause

I'm tired of fighting
I'm tired of fighting
Fighting for a lost cause

There’s a place where you are going
You ain't never been before
No one left to watch your back now
No one standing at your door
That's what you thought love was for

Baby you're lost
Baby you're lost
Baby you're a lost cause

I'm tired of fighting
I'm tired of fighting
Fighting for a lost cause

What's the next big thing? If you're looking to invest in a hot new 'cross-over' property, check out Duel Masters. With apparently over 1.5 million devoted readers in Japan, Duel Masters is set to overthrow Yu-Gi-Oh! which overthrew the ubiquitous Pokemon. For more info, check out the latest at Comics Newsarama.

Twice in one week, wouldja believe it if you hadn't seen it with your own eyes??

I bring you a link of ancient proportions. Icon Factory has a bunch of neat stuff for download. Most notably, you should check out their "DeskBase" for a searchable wallpaper database. Have fun!

Oooh, a new post, can you believe it. I think this is pretty worthy though, especially if you've been following the music scene. Check out EmoGame when you have a moment away from the office.

Have been posting irregularly, so I must apologize. Anyhow, a little blurb, if you will.

Some people have a tendency to discuss one topic quite a bit. As a matter of fact, there's a guy who sits near me who does nothing but talk about food. Right before lunch time, so I hardly think it's a coincidence. When I first started working at the new place, he was discussing the best hamburger he ever had, and where to get more good burgers. Shortly after that, he was discussing the biggest plate of Mexican food for the cheapest price. Today, he was discussing Calzones. I am intrigued to see what he discusses next.

Maybe we should all try and see what we talk about all the time and mix it up a bit so we don't become predictable.

A moment of silence please for the dear departed Bob Hope. The ripe old age of 100 years is nothing to laugh at, but laughing is what he helped us do best. Check CNN and Time for tributes.

Going to be a lack of posts for a while until I get fully acclimated to my new surroundings. During this time, I suggest you take up some reading.

Some people just have no patience for their Free Will Horoscope:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The World Health Organization says that a good diet should consist of no more than 10 percent sugar. Lobbyists for the sugar industry disagree. They maintain that you'll be fine as long as no more than 25 percent of your food and drink contains their favorite product. Regarding your current needs, Virgo, I disagree with both assessments. Since you're in a phase when you need to toughen up, strengthen your will, and think leaner and meaner, I believe you should temporarily limit your sugar intake to 3 percent or less.

Easy enough, I don't have that much candy, and not that much fruit, problem solved.

Anyone who has experienced a normal graduation should try and attend a less than normal one. We flew kits and had a picnic. What a nice day to graduate.

After seeing Hulk, I'd have to say I was incredibly impressed with the graphics. The acting wasn't all that bad either. Headlining this nice troupe of actors was Mr. Eric Bana. It's amazing, I think the Australians are taking over the leading man role in the States.

For all of you that regularly surf the web, it might be interesting to note that Time Magazine has listed their choices for the Top 50 Websites. My favorite happens to be Snopes.com, a site that debunks or confirms urban legends. I swear I could spend a whole day just looking at the Disney section.

Do you like Parker Posey? Most people do. As a matter of fact, a lot of people seem to like her. Especially those in touch with the indie movie crowd.

OK, so the Marvel movie fad is just beginning. Up next happens to be a rather dark character named The Punisher. For a first look, check this out.

Do we like Radiohead? Yes, we do, very much so. How interesting are they? Quite interesting, especially because they tend to be quite opinionated.

I pray every nght that I will have enough time in the day in order to avoid these bands. A good list by all accounts, although I have no way to know if what they say is true. U2 would be awesome live.

Who's da man? Harry Potter is the man.

Massive update to be saved for tomorrow. Check back in 24.

Quick notes on the Tuesday artist. Darick Robertson is a most unassuming artist. One would skim through his pages and find themselves nonplussed at his seemingly simplistic lines. Upon a more detailed reading, Mr. Robertson's work presents itself as supremely trained and extremely technical. His body of work speaks for itself, having done high profile work for both DC and Marvel. His character designs explode out of the page and give their depictions that which they're known for: character. Some may find his linework unattractive, but I tend to find his work impressive.

Moon Day yet again, and it's my last full week of work at before taking off to what my boss calls "Engineering Heaven." Really excited about the change. I feel like I've accomplished what I set out to do here, which is learn a ton about being an engineering professional, but I've also learned what it means to be a professional in general. Working with people is fun, but it can also be a royal pain.

It was a banner weekend. I'm not just saying that because we saw Hulk on Friday either. I actually escaped the confines of Los Angeles county and took an ultra-short boat ride to the misty island of Catalina. I hadn't been there for YEARS, so it was great to be there again. Campsite was spectacular, and the hike was relaxing, if not long. It was good to just shut down my brain for a couple of days before going back to the weekly grind. Too bad the sun decided to pick this weekend to be bashful.

Back to Hulk. My initial impression was to go in with no expectations at all, so as not to be disappointed. I have this much to say: I wasn't disappointed. The first half lagged a bit, mired in simple dialogue and lacking in any sort of excitement. It did a good job establishing characters and relationships, but didn't do much to keep people from checking their watches. The second half more than made up for it with a seething fireball of enraged action. It may have contained some glaring plot contrivances, but I enjoyed the experience. Strange contradiction, but wholly true. See it if you're curious, but decide for yourself what to think of its merits.

Ah, almost a whole week without a post, I thought I'd make this a worthy one. I'd like to discuss Radiohead. This is of particular interest to me since I recently picked up their latest effort, "Hail To The Thief." I'll say this much, it's more accessible than "Kid A," but if the casual Radiohead listener is expecting "Creep," they'll be sorely disappointed. This album is challenging, not just in its structure, but in its lyrical content as well. Piecing together the entire spectrum of songs, I felt a seething frustration being vented by Mr. Thom York and co. unleashed upon the world. One second the music will be crashing merrily away with recklesness, the next it's dredging up a net full of repressed emotions. I think it's better to experience the record a few times before actually making a judgement.

Along with this album, I finally managed to acquire a copy of "OK Computer" as well. These two albums couldn't be more different. The subject matter of alienation runs rampant, but missing from this record is their tendency to mix unsettling rythms and noises together for an overall mood. Mr. York's dedication to lyrical complexity, however, remains consistent, and I found myself analyzing the liner notes for its inner complexities. Definitely the most listenable album of theirs to anyone, I'd argue it's one of the best I've heard in a while. I don't claim to be a longtime Radiohead fan, but I'll admit openly to liking them now, even if I get lambasted for "jumping on the bandwagon." Check either of these albums out if you want a different taste of what rock has to offer.

Complete You Haiku

Have at thee, you cur!
Draw your blade, fight like a man!
And one more thing, "Arrrrrr!"

Take your Free Will Horoscope around the track a couple of times:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
If an astrologer from the old school were writing this horoscope, he might tell you that now is an excellent time to advance your ambitions through gossipy manipulation. But since you and I are in the business of creating a new civilization based on values that feed the soul, my take on your imminent future is different. I say it's a perfect moment to engage in uplifting gossip that serves the greater good. I suggest that you praise unsung heroes and name everything that's working well. The irony is that for people like us, dissing people always hurts our ambitions. One of the best ways to enhance our own possibilities is to use our power of speech to promote others' chances for happiness and success.

Spread gossip for the good of humanity, sounds like a great idea. Now we should just find a few things good to say about people. Not too hard.

Lots of interesting stuff going on in the past week. I like only having to post news one day a week. More time to work on stuff and less time goofing off. It also makes the interesting content seem more exclusive since it only comes around once a week. Take this article for instance. Could have posted it on Monday, but then what would you have to look forward to on Wednesday?

Do you like Rock music? I'm not talking about the kinda music that you listen to when you're all pissed off with no one to shout at, I'm talking about rock music that seems relevant. More specifically, I'm talking about the band Radiohead. If you haven't heard of them, you better get out from under your rock in that cave. I mention them this week because they've just released their latest and greatest onto our shores from theirs, gracing us with some interesting musical stylings. Check out what they have to say for themselves. Or you can see what they have to say here as well. I'll post a short review sometime later.

Speaking of music, we have the flip-side of things, music that's just meant for fun. The most prominent example recently has been Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake. What makes them so prominent is not the fact that their albums have sold like hotcakes, but the fact that they have the gall to go on tour together. Rake in the dough while you're young. Sounds good to me.

Sorry to end on such a somber note, but it's no secret that Japan has the highest rates of suicide in the world. Many could blame it on an emotionally repressed society, or on technological isolation. Even so, that same technology that isolates also brings them together, but not how one might think. Unfortunately, it's fast becoming the new outlet for suicide, so says a recent disturbing chain of events. Frightening to imagine people going to such lengths.

When I try to describe what Jim Lee's art means to me, it's best to begin with how he started in comics. Mr. Lee left a chemistry degree, and a budding career in medical school to pursue something he loved, art. Most definitely a brilliant man, Mr. Lee's early work doesn't compare with his current masterpieces. No doubt, he has a very strong work ethic that I admire, because no matter how good his art looks, and no matter how high a profile his projects are, he still continues to try and improve his skills as an artist. It is his work that brought me back into reading comics again after a long absence from the form, and his work that drives me to try and improve my drawing skills to this day. It just reminds you that no matter how good you are, you can always make yourself better, and his success is a testament to that statement. Check out this website for more images.

I never did mention that we saw Coldplay in concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Awesome concert, but much too short for my tastes. They still are a tremendous act to see live, but I felt like I wanted to see more and more. Guess that's the sign of a good live band, eh? Damn the Hollywood Bowl and its city ordinances.

I really have no other complaints though. I was incredibly impressed with the new material they played and I certainly loved their rendition of "The One I Love" which is a rare gem. Most amusing were the looks on the crowd's collective face when Chris Martin broke into "Rock Your Body" towards the end of one of their songs. Classic.

Most definitely, I'd see them again. Closer, louder, and longer (hopefully).

You ever notice when you go to the gym, everyone becomes your close friend? I've come to notice that. I'll be working out at a machine, or on the treadmill or something, and a guy will come up and say, "Hey buddy, almost done?" or, "Any more sets to do, pal?" Must be some sort of communal thing I don't quite understand. Maybe it's because I didn't do any scholastically organized athletics. Something about slapping each other on the butt has got to make people closer in some way, and I'm sure it makes the atmosphere much friendlier. A gym teacher of mine once accused us of goofing off and playing "grabass." It might have something to do with that. My bet is it has something to do with protein-shakes and performance-enhancing drugs a lot of these guys seem to be drinking/taking/ingesting. Makes your mind a little more placated. I'm assuming that's much better than the steroid-induced rage some people have been known to succumb to.

Actually, I bet it's just people trying to be friendly and courteous. Kinda like when people call me "sir" or "Mr. Navarrete." When that happens though, I just end up feeling old.

Take that! Free Will Horoscope:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): "Nothing worse could happen to one than to be completely understood." So said pioneer psychologist Carl Jung. If you think what he said is true, take action immediately, because you're in imminent danger of being well understood by at least two people. If you're confident you can handle the odd sensation of being seen for exactly who you are, do nothing other than what you're already doing.

Who really wants to be completely understood. I think I'd get bored within a few days and lose all sense of self.

If you've ever wanted to drink like the gods, then now's your chance. Newleywed couples are getting the chance to test out an aphrodisiac by some scientists. We'll see if it really works by the end of the year and we'll also find out if their HONEYmoon's turn out to be SWEET.

Is your contact list context-sensitive? Now you have the chance to find out, at least if you have WiFi that is. Check out Trepia for further details.

Let's celebrate our heritage. Actually, I guess it's just the hispanic heritage right now. The fabulous group Culture Clash are putting on a show at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. "Chavez Ravine" is a story about the small community surrounding Dodger Stadium near Cesar Chavez Blvd. If any of you don't know who Cesar Chavez was, then perhaps you don't want to see this show.

You know, it's not a good thing these days to bad mouth our president, but sometimes he gives us reason to doubt him.

If we can't have completely clean air, we may as well have a taco or two to keep our sanity.

At least one thing remains the same, I'll keep highlighting artists for people to gawk at. One artist I believe I'll always gawk at is Mr. Alex Ross. Mr. Ross revolutionized the painted comic book format with the now-classic mini-series Marvels. This birds-eye take was cemented by the photo-realistic renderings of Mr. Ross and ever since he has been one of the most in-demand illustrators of late. You will find his work not only plastered on many a comic book cover, but also on promotional materials. Most notably in the last few years, his art has graced promotional posters for the Oscars and conceptual material for the movie Unbreakable. Not only are his visuals incredible, but his technique is stunning. Running through what goes into a single image reminds you why he's as good as he is. Check it out.

Item of note: I just saw the Pixar film, Finding Nemo this weekend and all I have to say is that those computer guys and artists at Pixar sure know how to make a movie. Not only was it fresh with characterization, visually stunning, and gripping, it was funny as well. I'd say that a certain large-scale animation studio may have a thing or two to learn from the commitment to character Pixar has shown. It's not just about a formulaic setting, and some throwaway visuals, it's about a protaganist you can identify with and sympathize with. Not only that, but the theme was a little less heavy-handed than you would believe. Accessible to both children and adults alike, Nemo is a film I urge everyone to go out and see if they're going to see any movie at all this summer. You won't be disappointed.

It's hot.

Hot where I'm living I mean. So hot that I can't bear to be living there at the moment. Call me a wuss, call me a wimp, call me hot-blooded, I was born in a beach city, and I lived in a beach city for too long to be subjected to the harsh environs of the IE, baby. I looked on Weather.com the other day to check the nighttime temperature and it read 68 degrees with 70% humidity. It felt more like 90 degrees, with that same humidity. It wasn't just heat, it was heavy heat. Excuse me for feeling sorry for myself.

Seems like a great deal of us are going through some sort of change. Strike that. Change "great deal" to "few" and that seems more appropriate. Change is good since it keeps us from being bored out of our overachieving minds. Our ADD/MTV/30 second commercial spot minds have a tendency to lose interest in things quickly, so we should be blessed when we find something that captures our attention for long stretches. Maybe we can actually learn something if we concentrate on it for that long. Novel idea, eh?

At any rate, I felt like writing this blurb because I've been neglecting my bloggerly duties of late. Perhaps because I've been busy, or perhaps because I've been busy. Take your pick. Look forward to more material within the coming weeks and perhaps a change or two.

Read the stars. Read your Free Will Horoscope:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): More than seven centuries before a few European men dared to sail beyond the safe boundaries of their known world, entire Polynesian families crossed vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean in catamarans. The first humans to arrive in Hawaii, they were led by "wayfinders." These miracle workers navigated the uncharted seas by reading star positions, discerning weather patterns, and interpreting the ocean's colors and movements. In recognition of the brave, exploratory urges now ripening in you, I hereby give you the honorary title of "wayfinder."

I'll make like Fastball and help others find "The Way." I better start with myself though.

I like to dance. Moreso than most people to tell the truth. Some people need a little liquid assistance to get their feet moving to a beat. I think I just need a beat. Does that make me "festive?" I think it just makes me a little more willing to make a fool out of myself. Perhaps it's in my blood? I tend to believe more in the latter. Then again, it's not just me that likes to dance. Must be a personal choice sort of thing.

One thing I've realized in all my years that I've been watching the sport of hockey: Goalies are the most important people to trust on the ice. The LA Kings have their wizard in Mr. Felix Potvin, but no other goalie is as important as Mr. Patrick Roy. Good thing he's going out at the top of his game. No retiring and unretiring for Mr. Roy, he's a smart one, he is.

Since I've been paying tribute to the comic strip artists and comic book artists of today and of yesterday, it seems appropriate to spotlight their annual awards. The Rubens, named after Rube Goldberg, sound like an interesting place to be if you're interested in any sort of cartooning. Someday, I tell myself, someday...

Live and die by your Free Will Horoscope:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):Your sense of mission should be heating up, Virgo. Your tribe needs you more than usual. Your potential is ripening at the same time it is becoming most useful to your cohorts. But wait: That doesn't mean your path will be effortless in the coming weeks. There will be adversaries and agents of confusion you'll have to outwit. In order to be a radiant instigator of beauty and truth for your allies and a cagey master of strategy when dealing with your competitors, I recommend the paradoxical approach Jesus described: Be as pure and harmless as a dove and as wise as a serpent.

I'm in charge!

I know someone with a Mini. Nice little car. If only it were a convertible. That'd be pretty tight.

CNN wants to educate you. First of all, they want you to know that Buffy The Vampire Slayer is coming to and end. Then, they also want you to know that even though we might think teen sex is on the decline, ideas about teen sex are becoming more degraded. Makes you think...

A few months back, there was a study that proclaimed the hispanic population was fast becoming the largest minority group within the United States. I find that fact amazing, what I find more amazing is that even so, people still have their conspiracy theories. I'm sorry, but that article really makes me sad.

Don't eat bread. It's bad for you.

I don't care if I've posted anything about Adam Hughes before, he kicks so much ass he deserves another mention. I won't even bother trying to describe his work other than to say he kicks butt at drawing women. I hope some day I can draw them so well. Just remember, "It's just a drawing!"

I want to make Monday slightly more cheery for everyone with a little update. Fun, fun, fun for everyone, one, one.

Jayson Blair Lies. A Lot.
Ang Lee Directs "Shrek 2"
Shaq's Fat

Have you been to Kaliber 10,000? You should check it out. While you're at it, maybe you should check out the Axis of Justice too. Kill some time and free your mind.

Gum Shoe Haiku

Walken walks the walk
Whereas Cage cages cagily
What does Arnold do?

An actual complete update even with a Free Will Horoscope:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I predict you will have a lavish amount of composure. It won't be tainted by arrogance or feelings of superiority, either. And it won't be fueled by a need to prove anything to anyone. Rather, your poise will flow from your strong new link to your soul's code—the life blueprint you decided on before you were born. One more thing: While you will be calm, you won't be passive or laid-back. This will be an electrifying variety of relaxation.

The code of my soul, sort of like living in the Matrix? We'll find out tomorrow now won't we?

In the news recently, we've seen some plenty interesting action. While the NBA playoffs rage on, we have several stars who are currently uninvolved trying to do something for their comminuty. Most notably, Yao Ming wants to assist his homeland with a public service announcement regarding the SARS epidemic. Very key since Yao happens to be one of the foremost recognizeable Chinese figures and is quite influential in his home country. He's also getting assistance from other NBA'ers, so it will be interesting to see if there is any effect.

Some people would believe that freeways are our enemy. Others believe that in a sense, freeways are art. I tend to agree with the former. I hate freeways. I hate the daily commute and the type of horrible drivers I experience everyday. I hate the stupid little Fast And The Furious wannabes who try to roll me whenever I get near them. A pain I say, a pain.

Do you like Pearl Jam? Maybe you're all sick of the grunge era, but they're one of the few bands still left over, and also have a quite a large fan following. I tend to believe they're some of the most opinionated and talented musicians alive today. You may disagree on the talent, but they are definitely opinionated. None moreso than their lead singer, Eddie Vedder.

You thought that the Spider-man movie was all fun and games, eh? Well, just like any other Big Hollywood Property, it has its fair share of politics. First we had Marvel suing Sony, and then Sony countersues Marvel. Now we have the story of how star, Toby Maguire, tried to flex his star muscle and lost out. Personally, I can't see anyone else being Peter Parker. Jake Gyllenhal? Please.

As always, Time Magazine has the lion's share of attention. If you want to read their Matrix Reloaded plot summary, check it out, but I'm not linking to it. Other than that, they have stories about lies and more lying. All I have to say is, be sincere and honest people. Maybe you'll get somewhere without consequence.

No post today either. Half day means working twice as hard.

No update today. I'll save it for Wednesday.

Wouldja believe, a Free Will Horoscope?:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):I'm smarter in some parts of the earth than in others. In Florence, Amsterdam, and Milwaukee, my IQ is off the charts. In Munich, Madrid, and Washington, D.C., I'm rather dull witted. Even in Northern California, where I usually live, some places are more conducive to my higher brain functioning. I'm an idiot on Market Street in San Francisco, for example, whereas I'm awash in wise insights whenever I set foot on Mt. Tamalpais. What's this about? The specialized branch of astrology called astrocartography would say that the full potentials of my horoscope are more likely to emerge in certain power spots. In the coming weeks, Virgo, I urge you to investigate the possibility that this phenomenon holds true for you, too. Wander around and test to see where you feel most in tune with your deep, brilliant self.

I think my power spot is in the library, reading. Or at school, studying. Somehow that makes me smarter.

Finally, Summer's upon us yet again. Seems like so long ago that June rolled around and the clouds opened up with nice sunny rays that made you say, "Oh yea!" Now we get to revel in the fact that the weather will be nice for a while, and some highly anticipated movies are only a matter of weeks away. We have several options for the summer as always. I mean, ways to keep ourselves occupied. We can always pick up some new reading material if we have free time. We can even meet some new people if we have the chance. The important thing is that Summer is a time for all of our springtime ideas to become realities. If anything, it is also time to just relax and have a little fun. So I say, sit back, relax, take in a flick, and enjoy it while it lasts.

Images, Huzzah! Ahem, anyway... Today we spotlight Bruce Timm. Mr. Timm is most well-known for his ground-breaking work with Paul Dini on Batman: The Animated Series. So influential was their translation of the Dark Knight's grim environment, they have also been able to produce a Superman animated series as well as a JLA animated series. A key factor was the distinct illustrative style of Bruce Timm. Bathed in art-deco stylings, his characters are given their character through his intensely expressive linework and keen eye for design. Instantly recognizeable, I admire Timm's individuality, as his style is separate from the generic look of many an animated series. Give his gallery a look, and you'll find more to admire.

Busy busy weekend, so hardly any news for you to peruse.

The New Design Ethic
Mutants You Won't See On Screen

Sweet Dancer
by William Butler Yeats

The girl goes dancing there
On the leaf-sown, new-mown, smooth
Grass plot of the garden;
Escaped from bitter youth,
Escaped out of her crowd,
Or out of her black cloud.
Ah, dancer, ah, sweet dancer.!

If strange men come from the house
To lead her away, do not say
That she is happy being crazy;
Lead them gently astray;
Let her finish her dance,
Let her finish her dance.
Ah, dancer, ah, sweet dancer.!

Mutant Blue Haiku

Teleporting from
Dimension to dimension
Always coming home.

Actual art post today! Can you believe it? I barely can. Anyhow, today we're talking about two brothers with a famous legacy in the business. Adam and Andy Kubert are not only two of the more successful artists drawing today, they also happen to be sons of the legendary Joe Kubert. Not just a pioneer in the business who's been working since the Silver Age, Joe Kubert has also founded the Joe Kubert School Of Cartoon And Graphic Art. Needless to say, it must get results, or talent runs in the family because Adam and Andy are quite accomplished. Both possess their father's touch for adding that dynamic flair to their art, but they are very unique in their styles. Adam's art seems to reflect a darker tone, more gritty than clean, but slick at the same time. Andy's art on the other hand is a classic example of dynamic figure drawing. Dramatic poses and panel layouts accentuate his talent for page design, and the readability of his art never comes into question. Both have worked on Marvel's best-selling comic X-Men and both have also had their turns on other classic characters including The Incredible Hulk and Captain America. Their long-running work on all of these titles is a testament to their work ethic, professionalism, and raw talent.

La la la

Big Time Reality
The Art Of Deception
Summer Movie Madness
The Anti-Green Party

They Flee from Me
by Thomas Wyatt

They flee from me that sometime did me seek
With naked foot stalking in my chamber.
I have seen them gentle tame and meek
That now are wild and do not remember
That sometime they put themselves in danger
To take bread at my hand; and now they range
Busily seeking with a continual change.

Thanked be fortune, it hath been otherwise
Twenty times better; but once in special,
In thin array after a pleasant guise,
When her loose gown from her shoulders did fall,
And she me caught in her arms long and small;
And therewithal sweetly did me kiss,
And softly said, Dear heart, how like you this?

It was no dream, I lay broad waking.
But all is turned thorough my gentleness
Into a strange fashion of forsaking;
And I have leave to go of her goodness
And she also to use newfangleness.
But since that I so kindely am served,
I would fain know what she hath deserved.

Saddle Shoe Haiku

My right, black shoelace
Lacks its small plastic tubing
So now... it's fraying.

Wow, been slacking so much no art post yesterday... but at least I'll keep you sated with a Free Will Horoscope:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):One of my early astrology teachers, Isabel Hickey, had a favorite saying: "Before you can give yourself away, you have to have a self to give." This should be your seed meditation for the foreseeable future, Virgo. I am not implying that you don't have a self. But you do have a lot of work to do to define and strengthen your sense of who you are. In the coming weeks, I'd love you to visualize a flame in your heart growing steadily bigger and brighter and hotter.

No more lent means more of those things I've been craving. Or should I be a good boy and stick to the regimen?

Let The Games Begin
Who Wants A Piece Of The Spider-Man Pie?
Here's Who
Hello! McFly, Anybody Home?
Comix Awards Exposure

My blog hates me.

I post a whole grip of interesting links and it eats them all. Every last one of them. I'm inclined to hurl obscenities and such at my monitor, but what does that accomplish? Probably me looking quite insane for talking to an inanimate object in the first place. At any rate, I'm just going to repost.

We all like single-parent drama don't we?

Iraq sleeps with Russia. What else is new?

Teenagers like to help sell flavored milk. I know I did at my age. Especially if I wanted an internship.

laugh. Good thing, because apparently, we all need one.

Not again.

TNN is having an Identity Crisis.

Please, parents, don't feed your children Big Macs. It's bad for their health.

Lastly, find your origins so you know where you came from.

I offer you all my Free Will Horoscope:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):"What if you stumbled on a person living in the dark, starved, chained, drugged and poisoned?" asks futurist Jay Gary. "You'd turn on the light, unlock his chains and nourish him back to health. That poor soul is the human imagination—yours and mine." I agree with Gary's assessment. Our imaginations are in bad shape, numbed by the media's nonstop onslaught of fear-provoking, spin-doctored, soul-killing "information." The situation is tragic. Imagination is not just a playful capacity we call on when we're making art, after all. It's our ability to form mental pictures of things that don't exist yet; it's what we use to shape our future. But here's some good news, Virgo: You now have special power to rehabilitate and reinvigorate your imagination. Get in there and turn on the light, unlock the chains, and nourish it back to health.

Being imaginative is a good thing. Especially for someone like me, being an engineer and all.

So nowadays our values are a little muddled. We can't even trust our closest allies at the moment, our local teenagers, or even our shoe companies. Maybe we need to turnj to

It's deja vu all over again. I feel like I've posted this before, but who cares, he still kicks ass. Berkeley Breathed is a legend in his own time. The man single-handedly made penguins cool, male insecurity rampant, and even entered the term "Ack, thppppt!" into the modern lexicon. Both Bloom County and Outland are classic examples of social commentary in the strips. Decidedly whimsical, Mr. Breathed's strip, set in a fictional world where dandelions are plentiful, immortalized an idealistic and naive penguin with a necktie and symbolized not only the cynicism of a decade (the '80's) but also the optimism people hoped for. His characters were flawed, unreal, and yet real at the same time. It's through these flaws that people could identify with their dreams and frustrations. Although both strips are out of syndication, they live on in my memory, as two of the most surrealy hilarious strips ever.

Eat your Headlines for Breakfast.

The Making Of A Movie
The Review Of A Movie
Lord Of The Flies, Extreme
Praise The Lord
Kimchi Saves Lives
Someone's Beating Their War Drum
April's Fools

Who needs Haiku Thursdays with Fridays like this?

The Tables Turned
by William Wordsworth

An Evening Scene on the Same Subject

Up! up! my Friend, and quit your books;
Or surely you'll grow double:
Up! up! my Friend, and clear your looks;
Why all this toil and trouble?

The sun, above the mountain's head,
A freshening lustre mellow
Through all the long green fields has spread,
His first sweet evening yellow.

Books! 'tis a dull and endless strife:
Come, hear the woodland linnet,
How sweet his music! on my life,
There's more of wisdom in it.

And hark! how blithe the throstle sings!
He, too, is no mean preacher:
Come forth into the light of things,
Let Nature be your Teacher.

She has a world of ready wealth,
Our minds and hearts to bless—
Spontaneous wisdom breathed by health,
Truth breathed by cheerfulness.

One impulse from a vernal wood
May teach you more of man,
Of moral evil and of good,
Than all the sages can.

Sweet is the lore which Nature brings;
Our meddling intellect
Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things:—
We murder to dissect.

Enough of Science and of Art;
Close up those barren leaves;
Come forth, and bring with you a heart
That watches and receives.

Even Kevin Costner has a Free Will Horoscope:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
Famed TV producer Sherwood Schwartz had a hand in making more than 700 TV shows, and he co-authored theme songs for the sitcoms Gilligan's Island and The Brady Bunch. Every year he collects about $60,000 in royalties for those tunes, written so many years ago. I'd like to alert you, Virgo, to the fact that you're now in a phase similar to the one Schwartz was in when he got inspired to compose those long-term moneymakers. It's time to create a legacy for yourself.

My legacy: learning to walk and chew gum at the same time.

It's not easy these days, with war and all surrounding us, we tend to try and find the lighter things in life to amuse us and keep our minds preoccupied. We may want to keep those close to us treated humanely. We may even want to help out someone in need. The best type of distractions though, are ones that fulfill our life's dream. If we're not terribly careful however, computers will some day dream for us. This is why we need to keep in mind what makes us human. Not only who we are, but where we come from Maybe this way, we can learn to look past the negatives that surround us during these times. I happen to believe, this is sound advice.

I used to not like Doonesbury at all when I was much younger. It's social commentary, uniform panel structure, and rather realistic situations didn't seem to have a place in the comics page where most strips were bizarrely funny, had colorful characters, and seemed more interesting visually. As I've grown older, I've come to appreciate what Gary Trudeau does everyday in his strip. He helps us realize that reality can be bizarrely funny and contain colorful characters at the same time. He's introduced us to the iconography of our presidents, easily boiled down into something as simple as a cowboy hat, or a waffle. Always relevant, and always sharp as a tack, Doonesbury reminds us of the varying social, political, and personal climates we occupy during the decades. From the opulence and conservatism of the '80's to the vague media sensationalism of the '90's and to the current uncertainties of the new millenium, one can always count on Mr. Trudeau to have something to say about the current headlines.

Try to be brief, for work best needs be done with little distraction.

Street Fighter Comics, American Style
Automobile Of The Future
News On SARS
Touchy-Feely Robots
Los Angeles Angeles
Stick Out Your Tongue, Get Suspended
One Sick Fetish
Play With Fire, And You'll Get Burned

Avast me hearties! Read 'em and weep.

The Owl and the Pussy-Cat

by Edward Lear

The Owl and the Pussy-Cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
"O lovely Pussy, O Pussy, my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!"

Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl!
How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
But what shall we do for a ring?"
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.

"Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?" Said the Piggy, "I will."
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.

Stage A Coup Haiku
Revolt and uprise
Against your televisions
For they rot your brain.

Things happen for a reason, even if it is your Free Will Horoscope:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
I love it when I'm so energized and purified from riding my bike up Mt. Tamalpais that I experience a lightning bolt of realization about some crucial truth. I love it when I'm walking through the city's trash-spattered concrete jungle and am suddenly blessed with the fresh smell of dirt from a renegade garden. I love it when the pathological decisions of bad leaders inspire my tribe to redouble its commitment to fight for outrageous peace, ingenious love, and wild understanding. What about you, Virgo? Where do you look for your breakthroughs and redemptions? It's time to be on high alert.

High alert? Am in the orange zone now?

Gonna keep update short today. Things are a-brewing busily at work with new technology on the horizon, things are always getting mixed up. So mixed up that myth becomes reality and geurillas are in our midst. Let's pray it all settles down real soon.

Even if yesterday's post had a small scripting problem, we move on...


Kenichi Sonoda is a manga artist with a love of machinery. Although some of this machinery happens to be guns, he also has a love for classic automobiles. Ever since I saw the main character of Mr. Sonoda's manga, Gunsmith Cats, tear around the corner in her '67 Shelby Cobra, I've been enamored with the work he's done. Mr. Sonoda has a keen eye for the power behind this machinery, and his liberal use of these cars shows he has not only great knowledge for them, but also great reverance. Technically, his art is a marvel. Very clean, and always dynamically structured, the violence appears more shocking through his art than through most I've read. His drafting skills are so impeccable, I'd be hard-pressed to find a technical drafter who can do it better. In other words, Mr. Sonoda is a master.

Brevity is the soul of wit.

Saddam Look-Alike Considers Career Change
X Sells
Ladies And Gentlemen, You're Final Four
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