Nedroid Buster [FANART]

Listen to This Quartet I Wrote!

By the Sea Quartet

You may have to turn your speakers up. Put on some headphones for the full effect!

UPDATE: Now in handy Youtube form!

What's New is Old Again!

So, for a little while, I had tried blogging over at Banapplenut.com but I've since decided to re-animate my blog here at blogspot. As a result, there are a couple posts that are no longer accessible.

To remedy this most abhorrent situation, I will be re-posting some of those entries here on this blog. Apologies in advance for the repeated content.

Yet Another Ukulele Song

This time it's not original. Here's me doing a cover of Daniel Johnston's "True Love Will Find You in the End" on ukulele.

Jaws Character Drawings

I watched Jaws last night with my roommate and was inspired to make some character drawings.

Quint:



Hooper:



Chief Brody:

Nedroid Guest Comic

Hey guys and gals, Anthony Clark was kind enough to post my guest comic. Click below and check it out!

New Ukulele Song "The Dead Drummer Boy"

So, I've tried recording this like A THOUSAND TIMES and this is the first time I made it through the whole song with only 3 or 4 minor mistakes.

Click here to listen

The lyrics are from the poem, "The Dead Drummer Boy" -- no author is given. You can read the original poem here. I made some slight changes to the words, which you can read below.

In tangled roots that lined the ravine,
Where the fierce fire fight had already been,
Where the dead in scattered heaps were seen,
Midst the darkling forest shade and sheen
A boy speechless lay

The setting sun which glanced the place
In slanting lines, like amber rain
Fell on the drummer's upturned face
Where death had left his gory trace
In bright crimson stain

No more his hand shall fiercely beat
The shrill reveille or the long roll retreat
Nor sound the charge in smoke and heat
Of fiery conflict and bitter defeat
Where gallant men fell.

The silken lids of his once bright eyes
Lie open to the swarming flies
His lips were parted by a long-drawn sigh
That mounted upwards across the sky
On wild martial air.

Yet may there be in some happy home,
A mother reading of the long lost gone
Who chanced to view the name of her son
And move her lips, “God's will be done!”
Oh how the tears will fall

But more than this what tongue shall say?
His boyish wish for glory and fame?
He lived, he died, it's all the same
But who will write the drummer boy's name?
Yes who will write the drummer boy's name?

---

Chords: F Dm F Dm C F C C7 F A# Dm A# F A7 Dm A7 Dm C C7 C C7 F (repeat) A Dm C7 F A# Dm A# Dm A7 Dm A7 Dm A Dm

Hmm, re-reading this, I just realized "boyish fame" doesn't make sense. Should be "Boyish wish" DANG IT! Oh well. I've changed the lyrics above.

Return of the Blog-Monster!

So, after some thought, I've decided to return to blogging here on my Depth Deception Blogspot. Of course I'll continue to post comics at my new domain. I've just become so tired of and frustrated with trying to get Wordpress to bend to my will. I've already poured so much time and energy into making this blog look nice, so why not just make it my official home?

And so, like a fiery Phoenix, I rise again from the ashes of old!

New Ukulele Song "Broken Bottles, Shattered Glass"

Written by Jay Fuller

Cstr F
This, love
F+c F Am
Was born by the sea
Am+c Am F
Just like you and me
F+c F Am
You held my hand
Am+c Am Dm
Played footsie in the sand

A#
Now you're gone
F C Dm
You left me in the past
A#
Scared it was wrong
F+c C F
Broken bottles, shattered glass

F+c F Am
I wrote you a note
Am+c Am F
But you just let it float
F+c F Am
Like styrofoam debris
Am+c Am Dm
Soakin' up the sea

A#
No more calls
F C Dm
No more whispers in my ear
A#
Make me feel small
F+c C A#7+5
Go ahead, throw your bottle of beer!

A#
That don't change the love we had
Dm
That don't make the good times bad
F
Even if the oceans freeze
A#7+5
You can't take my memories


A#
Broken bottles, shattered glass
Dm
Empty beer cans flying past
F
Empty vows and broken dreams
C F
Torn asunder at the seams!

F+c F Am
And so we end
Am+c Am F
Barely even friends
F+c F Am
Gone our separate ways
Am+c Am Dm
Though love refused to fade

A#
It's still here
F C Dm
Livin' by the sea
A#
Broken bottles
F C
Shattered dreams

(repeat bold, end on F)

THE END

-------------------------------

"Cstr" = just play the C string

"+c" = add the C note played on the A string to the chord

DOWNLOAD PDF VERSION (with chords in correct placement)

Derren Brown Investigates: Episode 1

Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

In the first episode of "Derren Brown Investigates," Derren takes on a "psychic" rising star from Liverpool.

Cats Vs Dogs Infographic

[Source: Online Schools for Neatorama.com]

Poke-impressions

Here's my attempt at James and Meowth from Pokemon's nefarious Team Rocket!

Ignorance is Bliss ...

I came up with an original aphorism. What do you think?

"Ignorance is bliss for you and hell for the rest of us."


---

It's meant as a kind of insult for anyone who might argue that ignorance is bliss. --Because who wants to deal with someone who is willfully ignorant? Those people make life hell.

You, Fruit Bearing Trees, and You

Many species enjoy symbiotic relationships with other species. But have you ever sat down and thought about, say, the human symbiotic relationship with fruit bearing trees?

Over eons of evolution, trees have poured energy and resources into the development of colorful, sugar and vitamin rich fruits to, in effect, lure humans and other primates into eating the tasty treat and disseminating their seeds. Likewise, humans have evolved refined taste buds, special color sight, digestive enzymes and agriculture to aid in the discovery and consumption of the plant.

While we're using fruit bearing trees for our own nutrition, fruit bearing trees are using us for their own reproduction! We share a symbiotic relationship with plants that is exactly analogous to bees and the pollination of flowering plants. Isn't that wild?

So the next time you catch yourself looking down on a tree or plant as a lowly organism, stop yourself, flip your perspective, and consider the ways that plant may be manipulating you for the sake of its own reproductive success.

LOST Comic -- Hurley's Big Idea

Adventures in Substitutin'

Hey guys. Check out one of the real life "adventures" I experienced recently while substitute teaching. I wish kids were this enthusiastic about my blind eye when I was a kid!

View the Comic

Oh Hai Guyz, Banapple Poster

Worldwide Pillow Fight Boston 2010

On Saturday, I traveled with my friend Adam to the worldwide pillow fight event taking place at the Cambridge commons. I shot the above footage using Adam's HD flip camera, but Adam did the actual creative work and edited it all together in the above video.

Awesome work, Adam!

I Made a Poster

I can't wait to pick it up tomorrow!

Super Mario Galaxy Hidden Messages

So, this is old news by now, but take a look at the boxart for the original Super Mario Galaxy. Pay special attention to the sparkles on the letters of the title.

Do you see the (accidental?) hidden message?

U R MR GAY

Nintendo recently released the boxart for the sequel, Super Mario Galaxy 2. Naturally, fans looked to the sparkles for another hidden message. See anything?

U R MI AY. Nothing, right? Well, why not try reading it in reverse?

YA I M R U?

Nintendo, what are you trying to tell us???

LOST Comics

Eegads, it's been a week since I updated? My focus has really shifted to Banapple. I'm trying to do 3 updates a week over there. But now that I'm working full time, my free time is just getting eaten up.

In any event, here's a quick comic I drew about the latest episode of LOST. It probably won't make sense unless you've seen the episode. @Nedroid is responsible for the #lostcomic trope on Twitter. His comics are pretty much the bee's knees. Check them out.

Training to be a Dinosaurologist?

Creepy Cult is Creepy

Charlie Brown ALL Growed-Up

I like to imagine Charlie Brown as a 28 year old living in his parents' basement and dressing up like a medieval warrior to play Dungeons and Dragons. That is, at least, when he's not actually slaying kite-eating trees.

I have one or two more Charlie Brown comics in mind. I want to make them, but I'm afraid people think I'm running out of ideas when I do a string of related comics like this. Oh well, better they exist than to never let them see the light of day, right?

RIGHT?

Banapple Sneak Peek

I Drew A Weird Picture Just for You

Inter-Dimensional Time Rifts

You know how you sometimes go to an inter-dimensional time rift and hope something cool comes out, but instead you get something lame and not cool??? STORY OF MY LIFE!

http://banapple.thecomicseries.com/comics/21

[by the way, this excellent and entertaining blog entry is my 700th post! That's a lot of excellent and entertaining content!]

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters

Every once and awhile, a movie comes along that blows my mind. Mishima is one of those movies that shames me for having not already known of its existence. Produced by Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas, and directed by Paul Shrader in 1985, the movie is shot with breathtaking cinematography and a mix of on-location and highly stylized sets.

The movie is structured with several interwoven styles. Black and white sections retell the rise of the supremely nationalistic Japanese writer and artist Mishima, while "present-day" color sequences follow his final moments. Meanwhile, Mishima's life is interrupted by amazingly beautiful stage recreations of some of his famous novels. This juxtaposition begs the viewer to draw parallels between Mishima's own life and the life of his fictional characters.

This movie a stunning feast for the eyes and Philip Glass's score only adds another layer of mysterious profundity. Find yourself a copy of this Criterion Collection film and savor the awesome, perhaps unmatched, artistic craft on display.

Banapple Sneak Peek:

So many possibilities! Where is it going? What comes next? ...stay tuned to Banapple.thecomicseries.com for the answers...

An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge

Part 2 Part 3

The Influence Pyramid and You

Written by Jay Fuller

Ever like a product so much that you felt inspired to hop onto your Amazon.com account and write a glowing review? Or maybe you just signed onto Twitter so you could share your utter love of that strange yeast by-product, Vegemite?

Really? You like this stuff?

In the age of the Internet, everyone has the power to shape a brand.

Understanding the relationships between different online influencers is an important step in building brand awareness and strategically positioning content. So let’s start at the top.

More Content Makes a World of Difference

Take a look at Kraft’s website for Vegemite. Pretty static, right? Looks like they hired someone to write a few recipes and then called it a day.

Now check out Breville’s Food Thinkers site. Here we have daily updates with new recipes, articles, and videos providing valuable, dynamic content. Notice the difference? Consumers can.

Both brands hired journalists to flesh out their content, but at the top of the Influence Pyramid, there’s only so much they can do.

For the Love of the … Brand?

Just below you have the digital influencers. These guys are the ultimate super fans. Forget money, it’s all about the love.

When a friend teased Scott Lewis about his obsession with Dunkin Donuts way back in 1999, he responded by starting the Dunkin Donuts Talk Blog. Before long, the site was getting almost 2000 unique visits a day.

But Dunkin Donuts never really embraced the online community Lewis had built and the site has since become a shell of its former self. Did DD miss a branding opportunity? We think so.

Johnny Apple Seed

Leaders like Lewis aren’t quite as common as prosumers. Remember that Amazon review you wrote? Or that tweet about Vegemite? This is where you belong.

Prosumers are interested consumers who seed content by sharing links, writing reviews, and participating in online communities. How influential can they be? According to Retrevo, Apple Ipad tweets shot up ten-fold on the day of its announcement to about 500-600 tweets a minute. That’s a lot of brand related content.

And Then There’s the Rest

At the bottom of our pyramid, you find the consumers. They might not be inspired to participate in content creation, but you better believe they read. And read. And read.

They represent about 90% of the online crowd. These are the people who read prosumer reviews and tweets, specialty blogs, and officially created content and take it all to heart.

Consumers ultimately decide brand value with their time and their wallets, so it's important to understand how the influence of brand journalists, digital influencers, and prosumers trickles down. Once you understand the structure of the Influence Pyramid, you've got an essential roadmap for navigating online brand strategy.

Alcohol Etiquette

Hey all you social drinkers out there, let me pose a hypothetical.



Say you invite someone of drinking age to a lunch. Say you order first and get a beer. Do you feel a little bit insulted when the other person does not order an alcoholic drink? Somewhere, deep down, perhaps even subconsciously, do you take it as a minor offense? Is it a social affront that you secretly take to heart? Do you twist it into a condescending character judgment? "Why won't he drink with me? Does he think he's better than me? Am I no fun?"

Well, if for some reason you do, then please don't.

I don't like to drink. I just don't. And that's all there is to it.

Poo-Stache = High Class

New Song! -- Bouncy Waltz

Want to know what kind of music plays in my head ALL DAY LONG? Here's a little sneak peek into my brain:



I was practically tormented by the song. I had to get it out into the real world, had to pick this little idea-booger out so I could move on with my life. This song was absolutely obstinate and refused to go away. So here it is. I've heard it a bajillion times and so I've lost all sense of perspective: is it catchy? Is it pleasant? Who knows? And who cares? It's finally done.

I always wonder if the people who listen to my music appreciate or can even discern (from my crappy, echo-y sound mixes) the layers of harmony and melody going on behind the scene. All told, there are 11 instruments playing (if we count string sections as one instrument). That's 11 parts I have to write! That can be exhausting --damn near maddening-- even on a short piece like this!

For the record, here's the list of instruments playing:

Timpani
Percussion
French Horn
Tuba
4 String Sections (1 pizzicato)
Piccolo
Clarinet
Glockenspiel

To give you a better sense for what individual instruments are doing, here's a version of the song with just the timpani, percussion, French horn, 1 string section, clarinet, and glockenspiel playing.

Web Designin' Banapple

Hey guys and gals. Have you checked out the new Banapple Website yet? It's gone through another design iteration. I don't know about you, but I'm liking it. Almost makes me want to re-design this tired old blog. Too bad that would be a TON of work!

In the meantime, I'm planning on keeping Depth Deception as my personal blog. IT LIVES (at least, for a little while longer!)

Check out Banapple.thecomicseries.com

Roger Ebert: The Essential Man

If you haven't read Esquire's profile on Roger Ebert, I suggest you do. It's compelling writing. You can find the full text online here.

I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn't always know this, and am happy I lived long enough to find it out.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Dr. Phineas J Coconut Has Arrived

He's been sent to class-up Banapple. I think he's doing a bang-up job.

Banapple Integration

Do you see it? Up there, in the corner! It's a permanent link to my new webcomic Banapple. Why don't you click it and give it a spin? (You know you want to...)

Once you're there, you can check out another new comic! Here, I'll make it easy for you.



Just click. Come on. All the cool kids are doing it.

Gay Muslims in the UK

Just watched this BBC special about gay Muslims living in the UK. It's heart-breaking and completely baffling.

When people start criticizing Islam, there's usually a lot of backtalk about moderate Muslims and unfair generalizations. I tend to be more sympathetic to this argument than some of the more ardent irreligionists out there in the blogosphere. That's because I'm a humanist; I disagree with religious concepts that cast humanity as sinners who are naturally bad. I like to think humans are fundamentally good and it is ignorance that twists and turns individuals to do evil.

Granted, I'm only looking at a small slice, so it may not be appropriate to make generalizations, but it's programs like this BBC special which shake my confidence in the human character. THIS IS THE UNITED KINGDOM we're talking about and still these poor Muslim gays and lesbians are tormented and ostracized by their communities, by their religion and even by their own families. Where's the moderation? Where's the mercy? Where's the kindness in a religion that produces such cruel acts?

Ignorance is largely to blame. Not once do the reporters or the subjects of this documentary appeal to the very well established science of human sexuality. Facts are stubborn things, as John Adams famously said. If only science was a part of the discussion, imagine the shackles of ignorance and oppression that might be lifted!

But it seems as if these Muslims, who are so entranced by their holy book, who have submitted so completely to its promises and teachings (Islam translates to submission, I've heard), it seems like science and simple facts are never even considered. How do you soften the hearts and minds of a people so set in their ways that they'd sooner plug their ears, poke out their eyes, and cut off their tongues before letting go of a little piece of some 7th century mythology?

Banapple Update

I uploaded a brand new Banapple comic today. Where is it, you ask? Why, at it's very own website Banapple.thecomicseries.com

What are you waiting for? CHECK IT OUT!

Afrika Soundtrack is Amazing

Holy cow. I'm so glad this music has been brought to my attention. Really stellar work.

Game: Afrika
Developer: Rhino Studios [ www.rhino-studios.co.jp ]
Publishers: Sony Computer Entertainment▪Natsume [ www.scei.co.jp/index_e.html ▪ www.natsume.com]
Engine: Dunia
Composer: Wataru Hokoyama
Song: Savanna
OST Playtime: 33min
Genre: Safari Simulation
Mode: Singleplayer
ESRB: Everyone
Release Date: August 28, 2008 for PlayStation 3
Platforms: PlayStation 3
♫►►►Copyrights belongs to Rhino Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment, Natsume◄◄◄♫

Happy Birthday Dad!

American vs British Culture -- Deja Vu with Quentin Crisp

I've become a sucker for pro-American sentimentality, especially when espoused by foreign visitors. Quentin Crisp moved to NYC when he was 72. The way he speaks, you'd think he did not find happiness until he finally landed in the States. That's a long time to wait before reaching, what the psychologists might call, self-actualization. But therein lies the great lesson: it's never too late to find happiness.

Blogger's Regret

Insofar as original content is concerned, I feel I have been neglecting my blog. Let's try to make up for it with this post, eh?

I, uh....err, um.... let's see...

Substitute teaching has been a surprisingly enjoyable experience, although, like most jobs, there are good days and there are bad days. Some of the kids are starting to learn that I'm a pushover. I'm afraid they'll all soon smell blood in the water... Then again, I have kids coming up to me, giving me high-fives, saying hello. Maybe I'm not such a lame-oid? Do kids still use the suffix -oid?

I've been thinking about redesigning my blog again. But that would mean redesigning my portfolio and it took a very long time to get it to where it is today. The problem with personal blogs is that they lack focus. I don't have anything to keep people coming back. If I started a webcomic and updated it, say, biweekly, then I might be able to build an audience and deliver on they're expectations (as opposed to offering up the eclectic hodgepodge I have going now). And, like most webcomic artists, I could incorporate my personal blog into my comic blog.

As it turns out, wordpress has a popular webcomic template (and blogger, as far as I can tell, does not). Perhaps it is time to move on, to try something new, and build a real, active online presence. I might drop "Depth Deception" and use "Banapple" as my anchor. Believe it or not, a lot of little goofy ideas hove sprung up in my mind concerning Banana and Apple and I'd love to explore them.

The Boston Public library is offering a Children's book writer residency and, even though I'd have a hard time soliciting relevant recommendation letters, I feel like it might be within my grasp. They're looking for up-and-coming writers and I'm just sitting on this great Children's book idea, the HMS Albatross. It's practically ready to go! Only problem is, every time I sit down to write it, I become disgusted with my prose. And I can never tell if I'm too hard on myself or if I'm deluding myself into thinking I have talent. For a writer, I sure don't do much writing. Perhaps I'm passing the buck, but I've always felt I needed a muse. I need someone to be excited for me, to push me, to support me, to give me that little thrill that encourages me to keep going.

I'm trying to finish arranging the theme that was originally called "the Phone Song" and I'm starting to have a hard time of it. The first half went so well! But I've slowed down and the transitions sound jarring. Now I have to wait for a solution to strike me. Waiting.... waiting... waiting...

Would this be funny? An image of a Jamaican man tripping a woman with the title, "Jamaican Jerk"? Sounds like a Depth Deception pun... but who likes puns?

Yes, I'm a DBZ Fan

And yes, I enjoy this picture.

It's over NINE THOUUSSAAAAAANNDDD!!!!

True Love Will Find You in the End

Well, I never thought I'd have a Daniel Johnston song on my ipod, but I've been obsessed with this simple, hopeful yet melancholic track. If you haven't already seen the excellent documentary "The Devil and Daniel Johnston," which is a portrait of the manic-depressive singer/songwriter/artist, then I highly recommend you get yourself a copy and take a look.

Beck covers Johnston:

A cover from the film Eagle vs Shark:

Untitled Ancient Rome Project Gets Title!

A year ago, I wrote a little piece for a website called Ancientvine. I never heard back about whether or not the track was ever used. Turns out, it was! And the video has racked up a not-too-shabby viewership of almost 8,000! Take a listen, if you haven't already:

Sonic Unleashed OST - The World Adventure

Although the recently released Sonic Unleashed was panned by most critics for it's frustrating "werehog" gameplay sections, at least the soundtrack appears to be top-notch (and taking a few pointers from Super Mario Galaxy). I highly recommend this track "The World Adventure" to sonic fans and big orchestra fans alike!

Awww!

Favorite Film Scene -- 12 Agnry Men

"12 Angry Men" is one of my favorite plays and movies of all time and Lee J Cobb's acting in this final scene is one of the reasons I love it.

I recently watched "12," the Russian remake directed by Nikita Mikhalkov. The acting is also pretty impressive and I enjoyed picking out some of the similarities (right down to cast lookalikes!) but I found the pacing a bit slow. I had almost given up ...when I got to the ending, which has been completely rewritten. If you decide to watch "12," make sure you wait around for the ending. It's worth it.

Be sure to check out this amazing reenactment:

The Promise of Living -- Aaron Copland

If this song doesn't melt your heart, I'm not sure you have a heart worth saving! [update: okay, that sounds a tad too harsh lol] Anyway, leave it to a gay JewIsh man from the city to find the essential American symphonic character. I love it.

Bear Vs Lion

Cinematic Dreams -- The Train

Last night, I dreamed that two HR representatives from Blockbuster were waiting outside my house. As I went outside to meet them, I stepped onto a red-carpeted train, which began to move slowly. I had to decide: should I jump off or should I stay? I noticed my brother and his friend sitting in the back of the train. What are they doing here? Where are they going? I decided I should stay to find out.

"Mr. Fuller? Would you please come take a seat?" one of the HR representatives, a man, called me over. He sat next to his partner, a woman, at a table with a white tablecloth. I sat down and she pulled out some paper work. What is this about? Am I in trouble? Don't they know I quit?

"Do you know this woman?" she asked. I looked at a photo of a short woman with long black hair and distant eyes.

"Yes. She was my manager."

"Did you notice any suspicious behavior involving this person while you were employed?"

Before I could answer, the train came to a screeching halt. Where in the world were we? I looked outside and saw a pine forest covered in snow. Icicles hung from branches. On the ground, I could make out the faint outline of a second stretch of train tracks.

The conductor came on the intercom, "We're experiencing some minor difficulties. Please remain seated. Do not, I repeat, do not exit the train."

I realized I was already far from home and going the wrong way. Nuts to this, I thought, and began walking to the back of the train. I spied my brother and chided him.

"What are you doing on this train? If mom finds out you're all the way out here, she's going to be furious." I grabbed his hand. "Come on, let's go."

He pulled away from me and jumped out of the train. I followed him outside. The wind had picked up, swirling snow into a visionless white void. I raised my arm, shielding my face from the bitter cold, and shouted, "Come back! Where are you?"

I took a few steps and sank deeper into a snow bank. It was hopeless. Behind me, the train's whistle sounded off with a terrible screech and the lumbering machinery slowly began to move again. I looked out into the snow once more, searching for my brother, but seeing nothing. I ran as best I could, grabbed a hand rail on the train, and pulled myself back inside. Just as guilt was beginning to well up inside me, I found my brother once again sitting in the back of the train. Except now, he was alone, and the interior of the train had taken on a darker, more oppressive atmosphere.

"Where's your friend?"

"I don't know. I think the man took him."

"What man?"

My brother pointed down at the other side of the train. I squinted and saw a tall dark figure standing in the shadows. The glint of his crooked white teeth was clearly visible. They curled into a wicked smile.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

The shadow stepped forward and revealed itself: a massive Roman soldier, with a shaved head, wearing brown civilian robes and a rope belt. His face was dirty and black grime was smeared across him in streaks. His smile stretched wider and he answered.

"You."

As I screamed, "Get away!" my brother's stuffed bear fell from his hand and sprang to life, striking a menacing pose. My long-loved, stuffed tiger jumped out from behind a seat and joined my brother's bear. It turned its head and spoke to me.

"Quickly! Take your brother and get out of here!" Our two animal guardians charged the Roman soldier and tackled him to the ground. My brother and I seized the moment and ran past the fray, toward the front of the train. Once we had made it into the adjacent car, I looked behind and heard a sound, an echoing THUNK! like a boulder dropped into the sea. Ripples surrounded the Roman soldier, permeating through the air, and knocked our animate animals unconscious.

"Run! NOW!" I commanded and pushed my brother forward. The Roman got to his feet and gave chase. He laughed maniacally. Shadows danced across his ghoulish face as he got closer and closer. He reached out with one of his giant hands and nearly grabbed my collar! But before he could grab me, over head compartments began to pop open and living, breathing stuffed animals began to pour out. Turtles, lions, dinosaurs, and birds swarmed the soldier, pressing him to the ground, covering him until he was no longer visible beneath a mountain of plush toys. My tiger and my brothers bear leapt on top of the pile, jumped down and joined us by our side.

"They won't be able to hold him long. Hurry! We must continue!" The hollow THUD! sound from before began to ring again as stuffed animals were flung in large groups up into the air and across the train. The four of us ran from car to car until we reached the engine room. The conductor had disappeared. Our guardian animals tried to pull the break, but they were too weak to do it alone. My brother and I lent our hands and together we pulled with all our might until the lever gave way and the train slowed to a stop.

I opened a door to the outside and was surprised to find the snow had gone, replaced by warm sunlight, and the edge of the pine forest was far in the distance. Before us, a vast suburban neighborhood sprawled out in all directions. Despite the sunny atmosphere, an element of gloom pervaded everything. The houses were old and crumbling and strips of white paint dangled from the walls of homes. It was desolate. There was no one there, not a soul.

We jumped off the train and ran to the nearest house....

[To be concluded...]

Conan SMASH!

Finally, the Conan vs. Leno debacle in terms I can understand!

Carl Sagan's Apple Pie

Don't forget to listen to this song while you bake.

A Song is Germinating

Here's the opening to a song I've started work on. It's actually an old melody. Family members may recognize it as "The Phone Song," a ring tone with lyrics that I made for my mom and dad's cell phones. Despite that goofy version, I've always imagined the song played with a bit more dignity. I've started to arrange it and I'm so pleased with my progress, I thought I'd share my work thus far.



If you like it, be sure to leave a comment. A few kind words go a long way in motivating me to finish. I'll also take suggestions (an instrument too loud? Too much reverb? Not enough? etc.)

Scott Brown Elected!

Congratulations, Massachusetts! You've elected a Republican senator who plans to use his vote to block national health care.

Democrats, oh democrats, why are you so ineffectual, timid, and stupid?

::sigh::

Creation Trailer -- Darwin Biopic Releases 1/22/10

Everyone going to see it? Looks like the filmmakers are playing up the drama between Darwin and his wife a bit more than is historically accurate. Even so, I'm excited to see it, if for no other reason but to celebrate one of the greatest minds to have ever walked the earth.

UPDATE: Damn it, I guess when they say release, they mean limited release, as in ONLY IN NEW YORK.

Someone grow some balls and pay for a wide release! I want to see this movie. The story is endlessly interesting! UGH these times we live in. :(

There Will Be Lobster

Be Like Me!

Favorite Film Scene -- The Land Before Time

Well, unfortunately, I couldn't find a video of one of my favorite scenes from the Land Before Time. It starts with Littlefoot falling asleep in a crater after his friends abandon him to sleep with Cera. However, as the night grows colder, Littlefoot's friends return to him, one by one, until even proud Cera must leave her spot and seek the warmth of the group. The next morning, they awake to find Sharptooth sniffing the very spot where they almost camped for the night.

Luckily, The Land Before Time is filled with great scenes, some of which have been uploaded to youtube. Here are two of my other favorites:

Baby Littlefoot

Mother's Death (this still tugs at my heartstrings)

Banapple 4 -- Castaway