More than meets the eye

Someone sent me this link earlier. It's to the very first episode of Transformers.



I've only watched the first 7 minutes so far, and I doubt if I'll have time to finish it today (I am a busy man, you know). But I wanted to share it, just in case anyone out there wanted to brush up on their Transformers lore before the movie arrives.

Speaking of the movie, I'm still not sure if I want to see it or not. Overall, it looks pretty good, but if it sucks I don't know if my inner 7-year-old could handle it. And I think I speak for several million guys my age when I say that.

I probably will go see it, though. Worst case scenario, I guess, is that it will be two hours of giant robots beating the crap out of each other, and it's pretty tough to argue with that. Besides, if you've seen more than a few seconds of the above video clip, you have to admit that the original is not exactly Shakespeare either.

Anyway, that's all I got. Now back to work.

ps- Note to the Frau: Gabe from Penny Arcade is clearly smarter than me.

not-so-Great Expectations

This has to be the single dumbest idea for a theme park ever: Dickens World.

ABOVE: Come see Dickens World, because
nothing says "fun" like a Victorian sewer.

That's right, someone in Chatham, Kent has set up a theme park dedicated to the works of Chatham's favorite son, Charles Dickens. Kids can have hours of fun "playing" in Fagin's Den, or going through Scrooge's Haunted House, or getting yelled at in a 19th Century schoolhouse. (I can only hope that "Another Brick in the Wall" is playing in the background during the latter, but that's me.)

Of course, maybe it's not so bad. I am a Missourian, after all, and Missourians have absolutely no right to judge others on how they preserve the memory of their local literary genius. But then again, just look at that thing:

ABOVE: I'm sure old Charlie would be proud...

At any rate, I think I'll hold out until somebody in England goes to George Orwell's hometown and sets up his theme park. I'm thinking "Big Brotherland" would be a good name, but I'd also accept "Oceanias of Fun". Now that could be a good time: marching in step, burning evidence of your own existence, sticking your face into rat cages, and so on. Sign me up. And there would be plenty of chances to get your picture taken too.

sad news

Mr. Wizard is Dead. Long Live Mr. Wizard.

Don "Mr. Wizard" Herbert
1917-2007

I always loved that show. Mr. Wizard (with some crucial assistance from his fellow role models Wile E. Coyote and Data) was the reason I wanted to be a scientist when I was a kid.

I hope someone out there will salute this great American with the sort of tribute he well deserves. Till then, just for old time's sake: