The last couple of days have been rough on me. I've been working on getting the brakes fixed on my car. Did I mention it's been 90+ degrees out there? Even though it's been hours since I've been out there, I'm still wiped out. I even tried to go to bed earlier, but it didn't take. I've been up for a little bit and I'm ready to call it a night.

TV Squad pointed out another casualty of the digital TV transition: aliens can't receive our TV signals anymore. One positive aspect of this is that it improves our chances for alien contact. Or as Calvin from the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes points out "the surest sign of proof of alien life is that none of them have tried to contact us".

We spend a third of our lives in bed resting and sleeping. Given the amount of time we spend there you would think that you would want to find the perfect bed for you so that you can get the most of those 8 hours of rest. You can go to this site for bedroom furniture to find the right furniture. They have a wide variety of bedroom sets to choose from at a variety of prices. There's so many to choose from there's sure to something you can find. I was browsing their site and found that I like the wooden beds the best since I'm a traditionalist at heart. I was looking at this Amalfi pine bed and was reading that the wood used to make the bed is hand crafted from plantation grown timber sourced from carefully managed forests owned by the same family who makes the furniture, making this range an excellent option for the environment-conscious. My wife walked by while I was looking at it and she liked it, as well. She liked the drawers underneath the bed that you can use for storage. And they've got differents sales going on, and can offer up to 45% off of selected items and a number you can call if you need help in your shopping and want to talk to a person.

As you get older you may find that your mobility is limited. You don't want to be stuck in a wheelchair having to navigate in such an unwieldy device. Sometimes people resign themselves to being stuck at home, getting more and more down as time passes. Maybe what you need is one of these motorized wheelchairs or scooters from The Scooter Store. If you or a friend could benefit from one of these wheelchairs or scooters, you can request free information. And they want to help you or your friend get around and enjoy life again. They'll work with you and for you to get it covered by Medicare or insurance, so you don't have to worry about it and can enjoy being able to go out and be with people again.

Kathy and I were preparing dinner last night when the news came on the radio about Michael Jackson. I got online at the point when it was a source saying it, and some news sites hadn't confirmed it yet. It was unexpected news and didn't see it coming. As far as the allegations that haunted his later years, I was more than willing to give him the benefit of a doubt. After all, I collect comics and action figures and like watching animated movies (among other things), and children seem to think something like that is cool and they're not as judgemental as adults can be. And with working in show business since a young age, he didn't have the chance to have a childhood because of it and was trying to make up for lost time. And when the accusations did come up, and talk of a financial settlement... Before I proceed, let me point out that my family considers me the diplomat of the family, more prone to words than violence. And I was also seen as money-loving. I don't have any kids, but when that news came out, if he had done anything to my nephew, not only wouldn't I have considered the money, it would've been "pliers and blowtorch" time for him. It's ending on a bad note, but I wanted to illustrate how much slack I was willing to cut. And I didn't want to join the bandwagon and parrot what everyone else was saying. Ken Levine talks about the madness going on here and here.
And then there was the rumor that went around that Jeff Goldblum passed away, which turned out to be false. And Mental Floss addresses the belief that deaths come in threes.

Hot water is one of those things you never really think about until it's gone or there's a problem getting it. Then it can become an overwhelming problem until you can get it solved. Fortunately, there's these Los Angeles plumbers that are ready to help you with any hot water problems you may have. Payless Water Heaters and Plumbers Inc. can not only help you with your water heater emergency, they also perform warranty work, maintenance, repairs on all makes and models, water softener work, and much more. They've been in business over 30 years with a highly trained staff that are screened and well credentialed, as well as personal relationships with all the top manufacturers. Payless Water Heaters are licensed, insured, and bonded, and all our work is guaranteed. They schedule service appointments at your convenience, and 24-hour emergency service is available. They'll work hard to ensure that you will get the peace of mind of your home or office without having to worry about your plumbing. And right now they've got a special going on where you can get $50 off your next water heater purchase. Just make sure you click on and print the coupon for your savings.

Here's the comics that showed up at my door today, courtesy of DCBS (me paying for the comics helped):
Astonishing X-Men 30
Barack The Barbarian #1 Red Sarah variant cover
Cars Rookie #3
DC Superhero Figurine Collection Magazine #9 Catwoman
Dr Who Magazine #409
Incredibles Family Values #3
Madame Xanadu #12
Previews #250 July 2009
PvP #42
Thor #602
Twisted Toyfare Theatre TP vol 10
Wolverine First Class #16
X-Factor #45
Now off to enjoy my booty (arrrr!)...

I hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but it's looking more and more likely that the low prices we're enjoying at the pump will come to an end when we emerge from the Great Recession. And rising fuel prices are sure to raise prices in other areas of commerce, such as merchandise in the stores that are brought to the stores by the trucking industry. And the transportation industries will look toward cutting costs and improving efficiency, and one good way to do that is with the help of trucking software available for those companies.
Melton Technologies, Inc's software programs can't bring down the cost of fuel, but they can help bring down your other expenses associated with trucking and transportation by streamlining dispatch, billing, settlements and management of other assets. By running things more efficiently, costs can be reduced, which can help you in anticipation of an uncertain future. And they've been in business for 25 years providing assistance to trucking companies with their specialized software programs. And they can help your business embrace and integrate technology to prepare for the changing markets of the 21st century, not to mention the uncertain future fuel costs and other variables.

The news that a lot of fans were hoping wouldn't happen, has been announced. Farrah Fawcett has succumbed to cancer at the age of 62.
I did some checking and found a link to the Johnny Bravo cartoon "Johnny Bravo Meets Farrah Fawcett" that you can watch. Some might say it's inappropriate to link to a cartoon when noting someone's passing, but not only did Farrah voice herself and an old lady in the cartoon, but son Redmond has a part as well. If you haven't seen it yet, click on and enjoy. And condolences to family and loved ones.

This is the time of year where all sorts of events are going on such as employee meetings, corporate entertaining, family reunions, anniversary parties, weddings, fundraising galas, and more. And some of these events are so big that the idea of doing it all yourself or throwing a "pitch in" are out of the question. Fortunately, if the event is in their neck of the woods these Wisconsin caterers can prepare the food and help plan your next event so that it'll be a big hit with your attendees.
Davians has all you need to throw your next big event or party. They can provide catering services from the small, intimate get togethers so that you can enjoy your guests' company instead of worrying that everything was going well to the large events where's there so many guests you couldn't even begin to cook all the food in your kitchen. And they can provide more than food by providing equipment such as canopies, chairs, tables, tents and fountains. They can even help you create a theme or decor instead of trying to fit your event to what they have on hand. With everything they do, all you'll have to provide for your party or event is the guests. But with the excellent food they provide, you shouldn't have any problem with that.

I guess all good things must come to an end. Bleeding Cool has the story about J. Michael Straczynski leaving Thor. At least it's better circumstances than when he left Amazing Spider-Man. Hopefully his upcoming run on the Archie/Red Line superheroes for DC will be good.

We're in the middle of convention season for comics fans. San Diego is a month away, and everyone's getting excited. Comics, TV and Film studios are getting ready to put their best foot forward to get the fans' interest in their products. And other industries are doing the same for their products with the conventions and trade shows going on. If you're a company, how do you get the best display?
Camelback Displays is celebrating their 10th year in business providing the best in trade show booths and displays for companies wanting to look their best and snag potential customers' attention. From table skirts to banner stands and much more, you can be all set up and ready to go. And if you run conventions or trade shows you might want to take a look at their pipe and drape to get your show ready for the distributors.
Even those in the creative fields don't make their own displays. Part of standing out in your field is the ability to know who to turn to for different tasks. And Camelback Displays can help you create an eye-grabbing display.

Summer didn't officially start until earlier this week, but sports fans are getting ready for the next NFL season. Players are going to report to training camp next month, and fans are going to start getting their hopes up for their favorite team. Is this going to be the year? But if they don't live close to their team (or their team doesn't sell out their hometown stadium) chances are they won't get to see their team play. What can you do in that situation?
You can hope to catch the game at your friendly neighborhood sports bar. Or if you don't want to take a chance, you can subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket and catch all of the games. They've even got a channel where you can catch 8 games at once if you're a hardcore fan. And you can learn more about the NFL Sunday Ticket price which if you're any kind of fan and don't want to miss your team's games you'll find it's worth it for the saved frustration alone. And you can see the NFL Sunday Ticket schedule so you can start planning your football watching for the Fall.
So don't think that you have to miss out just because you don't live close to your favorite team. Subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket and make sure you can catch all of their games and the other teams' games.

Christopher Knight wrote about the new "Weird Al" Yankovic song "Craigslist" done in Doors Psychadelic style. And he even got Doors' keyboardist Ray Manzarek to play keyboards on the song. I checked my archives and found I didn't write about this item last week! You can watch the video here and find out more about buying the song from iTunes and elsewhere.
Say what you will about "Weird Al", but at least he's finding ways to continue doing what he's doing in the era of downloads and splintered music tastes. He's not like other artists who would wish things would go back to the way they were before they go on the county fair circuit.

For many people watches mean different things. They can just be a method for telling time or they can be an accessory that is part of the whole presentation of themselves to the outside world. Or they can make a wonderful gift to commerate a special occasion in their lives. Like my niece having her graduation a month ago. She's getting ready to go to Ball State University this fall, and a watch would be a perfect gift for her, or any graduate getting ready for the next stage of their life. Not only would they have an exquisite timepiece, but they can be reminded of you every day when they put it on and look at it to check the time.
And there's a great selection of watches to choose from at Blue Dial. You can choose from specific brands such as ESQ watches, Seiko, and many more. And with their Seiko watches they're running a big sale and free shipping right now. In fact, all watches free 2nd day shipping in the continental United States. And the watches are covered by warranty, whether it comes from the manufacturer or their own limited warranty. You can buy with confidence and not worry about the quality of your gift.

Another thing Mark Evanier is right about: why is it the politicians caught in affairs are the same ones who fervently supported the Defense of Marriage Act? Or are Repugnican? Mark Sanford is the latest one, Fred from Watts says "You big dummy!"

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have announced that starting next year there'll be 10 movies nominated for Best Picture. Since that's how many nominations they've had in the past (usually between 1932 and 1943) they're spinning it as a return to their roots. But as Barry Keller noted it may be a way to address the complaints when a picture is nominated but not a director. Given that usually the Best Picture winner is directed by who wins the Best Director, you can see that. I don't know if we're going to see more genre pictures nominated as The Beat speculates, I think more than likely it'll be more of the same. And as Mark Evanier has noted in the past, the problem with awards is that the number of nominees doesn't reflect what is produced. If there are two or three great Oscar worthy films in a given year, there'll be five (now 10) nominated. And if there's a dozen that come out, there'll be five (now 10) nominated.

If you're travelling down to the Dallas Fort Worth area, or if you live down there, and you're looking for some transportation while you're in town or for a special occasion (such as a wedding) then you should take a look at the fleet of vehicles available at this Dallas limousine company. G&G Limousine Executive Transportation Services specializes in maintaining a fleet that features only the latest model vehicles ranging from regular-length Lincoln Town Cars to fully equipped, 50-plus passenger luxury bus liners. For those seeking ground transportation for specific events, they offer bundled limousine solutions for weddings, proms, tours and corporate events in the Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton, TX and surrounding areas. And they've got a specials link you can click on to save even more money. Right now they've got special deals for weddings, a 23 passenger bus rental, a 30 passenger limo bus, and more. And you can check back often for new deals and specials. They've been in business since 2001 and take pride in their punctuality and superior service. And you can read up on their list of satisfied clients and services to see if they're right to meet your transportation needs in the Dallas Fort Worth area.

As what The Beat characterizes as only a matter of time before it happened, G4 plans a live broadcast of the Lucasfilm panel at Comicon International. With the con tickets sold out and the internet exploding to cover the news after the panels, it was only natural that a panel would be broadcast. But it's on G4, so hopefully the sophomoronic antics that usually accompanies their Comicon coverage will be toned down. Hopefully this will lead to more coverage of panels for those of us too chicken to brave the harsh Comicon environment. Another possible channel comes to mind, but I don't think SiFfy is interested anymore. It wouldn't have to be C-Span coverage of panels, but maybe a wrap up summarizing what was said would be nice. Hey, maybe the internet tubes with their streaming video and hunger for new material would be just the place for something like that. Any interest, Comic Book Resources? ComicMix? Newsarama? Anyone?

For many companies a good way to get the news out is with a press release. I don't know about other industries, but I know in comic books that it seems like those comic companies that issue press releases largely depend that they'll be lucky enough to come out on a slow news day and capture the interests of the public due to nothing else happened that day. But if you're a company who doesn't like to rely on luck and want to get the most from your press releases, then you should consider using the services of this optimized press release service to make sure you get the most out of getting the word out. Press Release Services works with companies to shape their press releases to ensure they have the maximum impact when released to the press and online sources. And their website is very helpful in clearly spelling out what services they offer and what they can do for you. There isn't a lot of technical jargon designed to intimidate you into using their services and then not being able to fully understand what they did. You know all about the different levels of services offered and the fees involved, so you can make an informed decision as to whether their services are right for your company.

Even though I saw the first movie, I've been neutral about the sequel Transformers Revenge Of The Fallen. The most telling sign is that I had yet to make any concrete plans to see it. It was going to be today or tomorrow, maybe next week when Kathy's on vacation, but no real burning desire to see it. Then I read the review Harry Knowles wrote on the film, and I was wondering...can we go see Up in 3D again? Because I'd much rather see that movie again than Transformers Too.
I don't know if it's the fact that I'm not that much of a Transformers fan even though I bought the comic when it came out before the toys, the cartoon, the phenomenon, but it hasn't been something I've actively sought out. Or if it's the explodey nature of the film, and inability to name any Transformer in the movie other than Optimus Prime, Megatron and Bumblebee. I don't know if the fault lies with Michael Bay or myself. I've got the first movie on HD-DVD, and wouldn't mind watching it again, but I might have to give Transformers Too a pass.

For many people who play piano there isn't much interest there. For one reason or another it isn't as enjoyable as first thought. And every day there's arguments between kids and parents over continuing piano lessons. Or you may play okay and just enough to get some interest as a conversation starter, but that's it. Your playing is missing something but you don't know what it is.
One thing that could help is to learn a new technique that can pep up your piano playing and your listeners' interest in it. Here's a website that offers free sheet music that can teach intermediate piano players the techniques that will jazz up their playing and get them and others interested in their playing. Who knows, this might be just the thing to get your interest resurged and get you interested in piano playing again.

One of the books I had checked out from my local library is "High School Confidential" by Jeremy Iverson, about his adventures going undercover in high school. Yes, "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" (it was a book before a movie, and since it's the book form I'm mainly referencing here I'll use quotation marks to indicate the title instead of italicising it) is mentioned along with the fact that people have gotten lawsuit-happy in the years since then, making it difficult for Iverson to find a high school willing to take him in. But he did, and they're off.
I tried getting into the book, but it just wasn't working out. I had other library books checked out and wanted to read them first, but with two week loan periods, and 6 renews allowed if no one else reserved the book, I had only gotten past 200 pages in the book. It was more of trying to get through it in time than any actual enjoyment of the book. Before, when faced with a book or show that I wasn't interested in I would slog my way through it one way or another. I can't think of a single instance when I've ended up enjoying the experience, so I'm starting to cut that out in my old age. So it's back to the library for "High School Confidential" and pick up another book in my big stack o' books to read.

Applying to colleges is a very difficult process. You take the SATs, jump through the hoops, participate in the activities they tell you to improve your chances, and then there's the one thing that scares everybody in the college application process. Yes, I'm talking about the college application essay. So simple, yet when you sit down to start to write it, it's so overwhelming. Believe me, I understand what it's like to try to write something but then you get overwhelmed. I can give you tips and suggestions on how to get through it, but what do I know? I only applied to Indiana University and got accepted, so while I'm batting 1.000, I'm not going to say that I'm any kind of an expert. But if you're looking for some kind of help in writing that dreaded college essay, and you want more assistance than friends, family and your guidance counselor (or me, even), I would suggest seeing about getting the help of Admissions Essays to see about creating the best essay you can and get into the college of your choice. They offer critiques, analysis, and revisions on essays to help shape your essay into the best essay to have the best chance of success in your goals. So don't worry or feel overwhelmed, Admissions Essays can help you out.

I don't follow reality shows, so all the hubbub bub about John and Kate Plus 8 (or + 8 if you're a purist) doesn't really matter that much to me. Or as much as Gary Sassaman points out. Or maybe I'm getting to the age where I've been there done that got the t-shirt. Didn't this happen in the very first reality show An American Family? Albert Brooks, you were ahead of your time. Some would say an Albert Einstein, even.

With all the news that's been coming out about companies' behavior in the past year, there's a lot of people debating what sort of government regulation (if any) should be implemented as we go forward. While I feel that deregulation has led to a lot of our current woes (along with the implied credo implicitly stated since the Reagan administration that "greed is good") I'm not as convinced that government regulation is the way to go. In the past, the inferred threat that if an industry doesn't police itself the government will step in and do it is usually enough to get a code of standards in place that can do the job. Examples in the past have been the Securities and Exchange Acts in the 1930s, and the Comics Code Authority in the 1950s. Sometimes the threat of behaving before your father gets home is enough to do the job. As far as corporate self-policiing goes, here's a Generational Equity of Dallas article that goes into recommendations for implementation and compliance of whatever code of conduct is implemented by an industry.

Comicon's in a month. Are you ready? I'm not going, and don't know if I'd go if I could, with the crowds and having to wait and there's a chance I'll miss out on what I want. I'm sure the urge will hit as we get closer to the date as it always does, but once again I guess I'll go lay down until the feeling goes away. Here's a couple of posts on tips to get through it, with the Comics Reporter's tips for good measure. Don't have tickets? But it's sold out. Here's a way to get tickets or get money if you have tickets but aren't going.

For the past 20 years Lazer Marble & Granite has been supplying tiles for commercial projects, including buildings, offices, schools and hotels throughout the U.S. They are direct importers of ceramic, porcelain, marble, granite, glass and Tau ceramica tile. They also offer competitive pricing, and they do this by offering you their tiles direct - there's no middleman involved. And with their many years in the business they have a history of satisfied customers and would be happy to provide you with references on major projects. And they have plenty of vendors that can provide you with the tile you're looking for. Don't see what you're looking for? No problem, just get in touch with them and they'll see about tracking it down for you. And if you're in the Brooklyn and Long Island areas, you can visit their showroom and see what all they have available in person. If you're a contractor, now more than ever you want to keep your costs low while continuing to offer quality materials in your work. Don't give in to the temptation to take shortcuts with your quality of your work or equipment, just find better prices with suppliers such as Lazer Marble & Granite.

If you've done any online surfing today you've read the news that Ed McMahon has passed away. While I've quoted Mark Evanier's old saying that you should never feel sorry for anyone who makes more than a million dollars, my feelings on the matter are that he wasn't someone that I wished ill upon, and feel bad at reading the news.
On a related note, have you ever wondered what goes on with the writing of the headlines for Fark? I thought it was one guy, or at least the people running the website. Mike Norton has a post up explaining the process and the candidates for the headlines noting Mr. McMahon's passing. And to end on a more reverential note here's Paul Harris with a rememberance and an interview he did with him.

Many people are on the lookout for ways to save money. And if you have impared vision eyeglasses and contact lenses can add up over time. I don't have to deal with it directly yet (but the way my eyes are, it's just a matter of time) but my wife wears glasses and it seems like getting replacements is occuring more and more often. Then there's the whole concept of having to wear something to be able to read or see better. It can get bothersome and expensive over the years, not to mention frustrating. Did you know that over a lifetime, a 25 year old wearing extended wear contacts will spend upwards of $20,000? One way to overcome the expense and hassle of glasses and contacts is with the help of LASIK surgery. And with modern LASIK, known as iLASIK will help you save money in the long run. The iLASIK procedure, combines Wavefront mapping technology with two lasers for a safe and completely tailor-made procedure. It is covered by most health savings accounts, offering a tax deductible way to pay for better vision. "For me, iLASIK will pay for itself in seven years by eliminating the ongoing cost of glasses, contact lenses and solutions," said Stefanie Fujinami, who had the iLASIK procedure this year with Los Angeles-based ophthalmologist Dr. Robert Maloney. "The next morning I had 20/20 vision -- I could even read the fine print on the toothpaste!"

As you know, some parts of the world need water and you keep hearing about droughts. And given that they say the two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity, and hydrogen is 2/3 of the recipe for water, and the other element oxygen is in the air, why can't we make water? This article explains why, and what's being done to address this problem.

It seems like the world's set up to get people to buy replacements instead of fixing what they've got. That seems to be more true for computers, but sometimes you've got data you need to get out of your old computer, or there's a reason why upgrading and buying a new system just isn't feasible right now. At Performance Data Resources their mission is to provide their IBM AS/400, iSeries and i5 customers with a reliable source for diverse, hard to find, new and refurbished midrange hardware and to assist with issues ranging from simple device address and cabling problems to complex system tuning and troubleshooting assistance. Their site is easy to navigate, and you can find what you're looking for and get a good idea how much it will cost to get you back up and running again. Not sure of what you need? They've got a live help system online and a toll-free number to call to talk to a person. Not only that, but they'll follow up with you 30 days later to make sure everything's going okay. Not like other companies that take your money and don't want to hear from you again until you want to spend more money with them. So if you need to get your old computers back up and running because you just can't buy replacements for one reason or another, then check out Performance Data Resources for help.