Monday, July 8, 2013

Where Love Happens

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,
 
This weekend was pretty amazing… first, we went to San Mateo to see “Discover the Dinosaurs” which is at the Expo Center this past weekend & next… and it’s 50+ animatronic dinosaurs & various exhibits… and yes, it’s geared towards children ages 3 & up… but I’m definitely older than three… so it’s all good. Fun fact: Adults were actually cheaper than children ($17 vs. $20). How’s that for a twist? Anyway, enjoy the pictures…
 





 
The big guy reminds me of "Last Starfighter" for some reason...





This was a new one to me... freaky... even for a dinosaur...



 
Greatest. Playground. EVER!!!



 
Get your mind out of the gutter... it's a T-Rex

 
Raptor Abortions?


"I RULE THE EARTH!!! SAY IT!!!" "NEVER!!!"



Trust me... it wasn't supposed to be dirty... just surprising...
 
 
After we got back home, we watched “Side Effects” starring Jude Law, Rooney Mara & Catherine Zeta-Jones. Now, this movie was directed by Steven Soderbergh who has done a WIDE range of movies from stuff like “Contagion” & “The Girlfriend Experience” to the “Ocean’s 11-13” trilogy, “Magic Mike”, “Haywire” & “Erin Brockovich.” So I kind of had to base what this movie was going to be on the preview… and honestly, it seemed like it was going to be this movie about this girl (Mara) who is prescribed a depression drug called Ablixa from her psychiatrist (Law) who as a side effect of the drug… stabs her husband (Channing Tatum BTW) and kills him. Based on the preview, it seemed like the movie was going to be about how Big Pharma (represented by CZJ) was going to bury these side effects in the name of profits & blame it on Law… You know, like “Erin Brockovich” was big corporation bad, lead actor of questionable attractiveness good, struggle against the system kind of thing… but it’s a little different. The movie turns into more of a dip into public perceptions, the media influence, questioning your own decisions, maybe seeing things that aren’t there, relationships & strains put on them from all the BS drama, and then kind of becomes a detective story in which the psychiatrist tries to clear his name… but can he really do that? Or was it really just an unfortunate side effect? Basically, I recommend this movie. It’s not going to have the badass explosions or action like that… but it’s a good psychological thriller. I think that Steven Soderbergh has earned the right… to officially become… a $teve of Great Merit on this blog. Congratulations, Mr. Soderbergh! I’m sure this feels even better than that Academy Award for “Traffic” and no need to gush over the honor… you are welcome… and certainly deserving. Take a bow!
 
NBA 2K13 Update: Well, I’m still 2nd in MVP voting behind my teammate Monta Ellis (who still refuses to pass the ball to me wide open under the basket), the Bucks are 46-5 and about ten games up on the 2nd place Thunder for NBA’s best record, I’ve been chosen as an All-Star, will participate in the Rising Stars Challenge & the Dunk Contest. I may have figured out the free throw thing but using the shoot button instead of the toggle stick like it says… because I don’t think it’s my toggle switch being broken (unless its both controllers) but now I’m at least about 80-90% from the line since I figured out that I could do that. I also found where it has the different controls of how to do things & that has helped a LOT. The game is still really frustrated at some points where it will make my player stop… or even run out of bounds… and on one occasion, had him sit on the bench during gameplay so it’s either some kind of bugs or way the computer gives themselves a chance… but yeah, it’s entertaining. Here are some recent billboards from my marketing campaign as well…
 
 
From my "Where (blank) Happens" Commercial spot...

 
Style Mag cover... horrible outfit though... I didn't pick it...

 
My "Urban" Billboard
 
 
Nessie Update - The legend of the Loch Ness Monster has persevered for more than 200 years. But could tales of a prehistoric sea creature located in a deep Scottish body of water be explained by science? That’s the source of a new theory, which speculates that the Loch Ness Monster may actually be a fault line lying underneath the Scottish lake. Even after 200 years of technological advances since the first reported spotting in 1806, rumors of the Loch Ness Monster continue to persist. In fact, technology has played a role in spawning some Nessie theories. For example, in 2011, local boat skipper Marcus Atkinson produced a sonar image of what he described as a large object following his boat for several minutes at a depth of 75 feet. And in 2012, George Edwards shared a photo of an unexplained image in Loch Ness. Skeptics have said the image was likely of a log floating atop the water. Scientific American reports that Italian geologist Luigi Piccardi believes the Great Glen fault system is actually responsible for mysterious bubbles and the shaking ground commonly associated with supposed creature sightings. "There are various effects on the surface of the water that can be related to the activity of the fault," Piccardi told Italian newspaper La Repubblica. And he has some compelling evidence to back up his case. For example, he notes that many of the alleged sightings have happened at times when the 62-mile fault was experiencing an active period. "We know that this was a period [1920-1930] with increased activity of the fault. In reality, people have seen the effects of the earthquakes on the water." So, what do you think? There have been strange reports near Loch Ness going all the way back to the 7th century. Are the numerous sightings over the years proof of the creature’s existence, mere coincidence, or even a self-fulfilling prophecy continued on by people who want to take part in the legend? Or, could it all actually simply be explained by a natural phenomenon found across the planet? Or could it all be the talk of scotch-fueled locals to increase local tourism? In any case, Nessie hasn’t hurt and/or killed anyone… so why not people have their fun? I was luckily enough to spend a few days in Inverness & the tour the lake myself about a decade ago… and it was amazing. The weather was kind of dark & dreary like you would want it to be when you’re looking for a mysterious legend, the ruins of Urquhart Castle was an amazing sight to behold, the local people were fantastic & we enjoyed Highland games and many a fine scotch tastings… neeps & tatties… haggis… kilts… bonnie lasses… all amazing things. I recommend that you go try to find Nessie yourself… and tell Scotland that $teve sent ya. I may have to find my pictures from that trip so that I can share them with you…
 
Zoo Update – A wee bit of tragedy with this one as a 72-year-old man was killed by three tigers in a closed-down zoo in northern Italy after he entered the animals' cage to feed them, media reports said on Tuesday. The zoo, in the mountainous area of Pinerolo near Turin, was closed due to financial difficulties in 2009 and its owners had not managed to relocate nine tigers and one leopard kept there, the Corriere della Sera daily reported. The tigers attacked the zoo's caretaker suddenly as he was feeding them, and his wife raised the alarm (shrieked?), state broadcaster RAI said. Emergency services confirmed his death at the scene. Locals had previously expressed concerns about the tigers, which were not sterilized and recently had cubs. So… anybody want a tiger? Maybe two? I’m sure if you’re willing to handle the shipping they’d like to “extradite” these kitties to your custody. My real question though… is don’t they usually keep the big cats in a separate area while they bring out the food? Like… put convince them to go in the back area with a little bit of food, lock a door, then bring out the big food in the main area safely, then release them back into the main area? Maybe Italian zoos are just different… or maybe it was part of the financial troubles… but I would think if their were a half dozen hungry tigers in an area & I’ve got the food either in my hand or on my bones… I’d be a little concerned. Also… the guy was 72? F**k! I wanna be feeding tigers when I’m 72. One word - Ballsy!!! Hmm… maybe a little suicidal too… but hey, I don’t know the details & that’s for the Polizia to decide.
 
Anyway, that’ll probably do it for tonight. Our trip to Utah is less than two weeks away & a month from now we will be well into our Oregon trip… so excited for both. It’s going to be a busy time… but I’ll still try to keep you all updated & informed on the world around us. I read a story about a red-tail boa constrictor waiting on a lady’s front porch for her in Cambridge but… there wasn’t a lot of details… so maybe only an indicator towards an Apocalypse Update. Keep your eye peeled though… while you have a great day!!!

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