Good news!

The guy has insurance!  I reported last night's incident this morning after some difficulty navigating their voice mail system (believe it or not, I hit their out-of-office message for Thanksgiving).  I maneuvered through their marketing department and eventually made a love connection. 

The adjuster is supposed to call me within the next day or so.

This afternoon, I took the car over to my body shop for an estimate.  I was thinking it'd be around $1100.

The estimate came back at $2400.

Ouch!

And speaking of ouch, my back is killing me.  It starts in my ass and runs all the way up to shoulders.  I'm all strung out on Advil.  There is tub soaking in my future.  And beer.  That's gotta help, right?

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
 

Posted by Aron Head at 6:26 PM CST

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I was on my way to church last night after work.  It was rush hour, which is to say that traffic was creeping.  Crawling along Interstate 30, I slowed to a stop as traffic was more-or-less parked before me.

WHAM!

An American made white van had plowed into me.

I pulled onto the side of the road as did the other driver.  I came flying out of the car all prepared to chew the guy a new one, telling him it was his fault because he wasn't paying attention.

"Man, I'm sorry!" He said emerging from the van.  "That was totally my fault.  I just wasn't paying attention."

Really, he was a very nice guy.  So hard to be mad at someone who's as earnest and apologetic as he was.  He even had insurance.  Or at least a paper that says he has insurance.  I'll be phoning his agency shortly.

Bumper, side-panel, tail light, and trunk are all a bit messed up.  But the car still drives.  And I'm mostly unscathed.  My back hurts.  I'm hoping the fist-full of Advil I've taken will put a dent in that...  

It's a busy week at the office.  I'm not gonna get the car over for an estimate until Friday.

Coulda' been worse.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:30 AM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 26 February 2008 10:10 PM CST

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I was thinking today about last week's post concerning this summer's movie releases when it occured to me that I left one out - The Incredible Hulk.  How could I have overlooked the gamma irradiated goliath?  This distressed me.  After all the second Hulk feature film is slated for June 13, 2008 release.  It dawned on me that I have not seen a trailer for it. 

In fact, I've seen virtually no promotion for it.

I went to the official site and found very little there.  Just pics and a short description.  No video... no wallpapers... no commentary... nothing at all fostering community or even interest.

Iron Man has had video available online in one form or another since the San Diego Comicon.

They did promote the Incredible Hulk toys at the recent Toy Fair. 

Digging deeper, I found an article posted on Superhero Hype last week reporting that the trailer should be posted in early March.

Early March!?!

Doesn't that seem, I don't know, kind of late.  The movie's just three month's away.  A few years ago, I wouldn't have thought anything about it.  Now though when movies are promoted a full year in advance (e.g. Star Trek)?

I have a sinking feeling.

Somebody, tell me it's gonna be okay. 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:30 AM CST

Updated: Monday, 25 February 2008 6:28 PM CST

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After finding Jesus several years ago, Anne Rice vowed that she would never again write another chapter in her heavily erotic, deeply hedonistic Vampire Chronicles.  Of course, she probably should have spoken to Sean Connery.

Never say never.

Time Magazine/CNN report that the Got-My-Christ-On Anne Rice is returning to the world of Louis, Lestat, and Akasha for one last undead romp.

I couldn't be less excited.

I used to love her books, truly. 

I read Interview with the Vampire when I was in college.  It was unlike anything I'd read before.  The depth of character and background forever changed my expectation in fiction.  Further, it changed the kind of writer I wanted to be.

The Vampire Lestat was a relevation in detail.

Honestly though?  She went off the rails with Queen of the Damned. 

My favorite of her works also happens to be the most infuriating.  I skipped a day of work to finish the tomish The Witching Hour.  It was somewhere past midnight.  I distinctly remember hurling the book across the room.

At some point along the way, I realized that all of her characters were either beautiful, rich and gay or beautiful, rich and bisexual.  Except the women, that is.  They all seemed to be beautiful, rich and straight

While this was interesting and different in Interview with the Vampire, it just seemed lazy as I progressed through her other books.  I generally like a bit more variety in my characters.  I mean, how about a poor, beautiful bisexual?  Or a gay guy of moderate means with a lazy eye?  Now that's writing!

It has been many, many years since I have read an Anne Rice book.   In that time, she's returned to the Church, given up vampires, and started writing about Jesus.   A more beautiful, wealthy, gay messiah you have never seen - I'm sure.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net

Posted by Aron Head at 8:12 PM CST

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According to the Hollywood Reporter, Titanic's Leonardo DiCaprio will produce a live action film based on the manga and anime classic AKIRA.  Warner Bros. will be releasing the picture and is eye-balling summer 2009.

That's gotta be a soft date.  I cannot imagine putting together such a mammoth film in such a short time.

Now, I am not at all a fan of the anime genre.  I mean, I have had an abiding love for Starblazers since I was a boy (and would love to have the complete series on DVD).  Beyond that, though?  Not a fan.

In 1988, Marvel's creator owned Epic Comics imprint released the American english language version.  Quite simply, it was unlike anything I had ever seen in comics.  Certainly the feel was very much in the vein of Ridley Scott's Bladerunner, but never before had I seen such a large story told in such generous detail.  That's 2000 pages, m'friend.

I remain amazed at the work.

According to reports, the AKIRA live action story will be told in two parts.  This gives me hope that Mr. DiCappuccino plans on producing a great, big story.

Me.  Happy.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:30 AM CST

Updated: Sunday, 24 February 2008 8:18 PM CST

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I've been out of town most of this week attending a training conference out on the east coast.  People were there from all over the organization.  Folks I haven't seen in years and a whole lot I'd only ever spoken to on the phone or or communicated with through email.

One such fellow was a guy I'll call Todd (not his real name).  Our projects have only intersected a couple of times, so we only know each other at a very polite, professional level.  We were having a coffee when he asks, "Do you know Paul?"

Now, you dear blog reader, know Paul from our Funny Books with Aron & Paulie regular feature. 

"Oh yeah," I nodded, "I know Paul.  He used to manage our market's accounts."

"Well," Todd said with a sniff of superior familiarity, "I work with Paul."

Something about the way he said it made it seem like a competition.  Like he somehow had greater knowledge of things Paul.  This annoyed me.  Who the hell did this chump think he was presuming he knows Paul better than I do?!?  

I considered enumerating the litany of antics and misadventures Paul and I have experienced together.  Like the time Paul was on a two day furlough from prison to help me capture his former partner in crime?  Or when I was working as a bounty hunter and had to return an on-the-run Paul to New York City from LA so that he could testify against the mob, while our 3000 mile journey crossed not just this great country but a terrain of missed opportunities on a road leading to greater understanding?

Looking archly at that Todd from across my coffee cup, I thought of just saying: "Well Paul and I have shared a woman." 

But I felt certain that Todd would counter with, "Well I blew him."

Forseeing how this could quickly escalate to a level of familiarity that makes me squirm in discomfort, I opted to let the matter drop.

I complained about it to Paul later in the day, "I mean we talk about comics for crying out loud!"

"Yeah..." Paul shrugged, cutting his eyes across the room to where Todd sat.  "We've talked about the Silver Surfer, he and I.  Once."

So, that's that. 

Without actually saying it - because Paul and I are beyond mere words - he confirmed that I am a better friend, yes even a better person than that Todd... for I have seen Paul's holo-foil, embossed soul.  

In your face, Todd!

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net
 

Posted by Aron Head at 1:41 PM CST

Updated: Sunday, 24 February 2008 5:05 PM CST

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I've discovered that I could whoop twenty-five five year-olds in a not-so-fair fight.  I'm on my way to Grace Lutheran, my old kindergarten.  Gonna test out this new knowledge...

Unless there's 26 kids in class, that is.

Thanks to Deb for pointing this one out... 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 12:01 AM CST

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The folks at Gamer Ground, a game store not a coffee bar for gamers, will be at Fear The Con.  Casey, Gamer Ground co-owner, has assured me that they will have Fudge dice on hand at the con.

I am so excited!

Fudge dice are used in games employing the FATE system, such as Spirit of the Century.  These dice are six-sided, but they are not numbered one-to-six.  Rather, they are labeled with "+" and "-" and blanks.  The typical roll for any action with Fudge dice is 4d6 (or 4dF).  This provides a range of results from -4 to +4 or "sub-Terrible" to "trans-Superb" in Fudge terms.

I can't find the darn things here in DFW and can't locate anybody who sells them online that doesn't charge a ridiculous amount of shipping. 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:30 AM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 19 February 2008 9:39 PM CST

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I woke up Tuesday morning like you did, finding that the world had changed.  Cuban dictator Fidel Castro announced in the small hours of the morning that he had resigned his position.  Amazing!  Historic!  World changing!

And what expert did WFAA produce on Tuesday morning?

Channel 8 employee Monica Diaz whose qualifications are that she is "from Miami" and of "Cuban descent" provided commentary.  Her keen insight yielded this astute observation about Florida's Cuban community, "Surprised."

You know, I believe I'll send my resume to WFAA to apply for that Cuban Community Subject Matter Expert gig.  After all, I really enjoy a good Cuban roastbeef sandwich and a mojito.  An wow, do I love a Cuban cigar!

I suspect I'm over qualified.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:30 AM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 19 February 2008 8:52 PM CST

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Critical Hits had an entry yesterday about this summer's releases.  I tell you, I am quite truly amazed at the wealth of wonderful popcorn movie goodness on its way to the multiplex this summer.  Look at the list!

The fun starts on May 2nd with Marvel comics' first forray into the world of self-financed movie-making, Iron Man.  Robert Downey, Jr was born to play this role.  It just looks marvelous (pun intended). 

I really didn't care for the first Chronicles of Narnia film, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.  But I have big hopes for the sequel, Prince Caspian, which opens May 16th.  I have nothing to support my wishes here.  No facts in evidence.  It's just that I dearly love the works of C.S. Lewis.  I pray they do this one up right.

The 900 pound gorilla of the summer box office has got to be Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.  The trailer for the movie is just amazing.  You can't even see Harrison Ford's walker!  It opens May 22nd.

I originally heard about Wanted when I was at Wizard World Texas this past fall.  It was originally slated for a March release, but the studio realized what a strong property it had and decided to release it into the deep box office potention of the summer.  Wanted is the film adaptation of Mark Millar's comic book.  It opens June 27th.

The sequel to Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, opens July 18th. 

I'm a huge fan of Mike Mignola's Hellboy comics and even The Wife liked the first Hellboy movie.  That Guillermo Del Toro knows his way around a film.  Hellboy II has the appearance of being awfully fun!   

I cannot for the life of me think of a summer with better prospects for SF/Fantasy/Superhero films.

Up til now, I've held that the summer of 1984 was the finest movie summer ever.  During those months, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Ghostbusters, and Prince's Purple Rain dominated cinema.  I worked for a movie theater back in the day and got to see each of these at advance screenings the night before the official openings... and then all summer long.

That was a huge summer - not just in ticket sales, but in the quality on the screen.

2008 might actually beat it.

Can't wait to find out.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:30 AM CST

Updated: Monday, 18 February 2008 8:12 PM CST

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