Running Scared
We are subscribed to Blockbuster Online’s DVD delivery service which has excellent return time. The latest DVD we got was Running Scared with Paul Walker. This is one of the best movies I have seen. It has more turns than a back country road. About an hour and a half into the movie I guarantee you will turn to whomever you are watching this with and utter, WTF. This needs to hit your DVD player stat.
Tonite we are going to see You Me and Dupree. Soon to be showing in a theatre I am in also includes A Scanner Darkly, which I will probably have to see in Nashville due to limited release, and Clerks II. While I am on the topic what’s up with only releasing your movie in major cities, I understand financial reasons and that some chains may not pick up your movie but take some action. If the national pushers won’t pick up your product, say adios, release it in local theaters like you are doing and put it out on DVD the same day. Just because I am stuck in the Midwest doesn’t mean I don’t want to watch your movie.
Awesome Digital Picture Frame
White Westinghouse, who makes some great LCD HDTVs is coming out with a 7″ LCD picture frame. THe frame will be able to display multiple images at one time. The picture frame comes with black trim and 16 MB of internal memory. It also accepts most major memory card formats. The unique display is made possible by MosaicView technology, which is patent pending. Best of all the frame is retailing at $199, which is a good pricepoint for the size and included technology.
Door To Door Magazine Sales, Scam?
Tonite we got hit up by a sales rep from Direct Subscription Services, or DSS Inc. The individual was able to talk us into purchasing a subscription from him at what seemed an inflated price but at the time appeared to be only slightly over retail. After he left I checked the online price for a subscription, $26 less than what I was charged. Boy am I a sucker sometimes. Anyway I looked into the company DSS Inc, which is owned/operated by All-star Promotions based out of Texas. Well All-Star has had 49 BBB complaints in the last 36 months so I have issued a stop order to my check and I am sending the cancellation in tomorrow via Fax. Apparently if you do not cancel your order within 3 days before midnight in writing All Star et al will pursue you with a debt collection agency. Just a warning, don’t buy magazines from door to door sales without checking the current price. I don’t mind helping someone out if I am not getting Royally Screwed in the process. For magazine subscriptions look for free signups online. Hopefully this is the last time I have to discuss this.
More Info on Door to Door Magazine Sales:
http://www.travelingsalescrews.info/
Looking For An External HDD Case Deal
I am looking for an external case for a 3.5″ HDD I have lying around. Has anyone seen a good deal recently? I have looked on Newegg and Tigerdirect, both of which have drives for about $25 shipped which seem like a good deal. I would love ot get one for about $30-35 that has USB 2 and FIrewire but I think I am reaching. Let me know in the comments if you reccomend a brand or have a lead on a good deal.
Pirates of The Caribbean 2: First Thoughts
Last night I saw Pirates with Amber and some friends. The movie was good but overall it seemed to be merely a setup for Pirates 3. The third Pirates Movie comes out next year and features Keith Richards as Jack’s father. Pirates 2 featured some cool swashbuckling and deep sea creatures as well as Jack’s sparkling personality. If you are going to see Pirates 2 I would recommend a lower price theatre or a matinee showing.
Thankfully I have finally had a good experience in Findlay’s new theatre. In the past audio has not synched up, cracks appear on the screen of ran entire movie and management doesn’t seem to care. I can only assume that watching the film on opening night guaranteed the 1 good theatre out of 12 and that Joe or whoever hadn’t had a chance to run their fingernails through the film yet. My advice to you when seeing a movie in Findlay, Make sure it’s in theatre 1 if sound and screen quality are important to you.
Rubber Bands + Time + Toyota Camry = Destruction
What happens when you have spare time and ruberbands? You make a giant rubberband ball. After you make this ball, what hsould you do with it. You could take it to your fair and tyr to make a buck fifty from local vouyers. These rocking gentlemen have crashed it into thier Toyota Camry! THe second hit is the best.
Ragamuffin Info
Tobias Buckell, author of Crystal Rain, has given out a little more info about his next novel. The novel is called Ragamuffin and will give us more information about Nanaganda. We also get to Meet Pepper’s granddaughter.
Ragamuffin is indeed the next book, and it should be out the summer of 2007, as the paperback of Crystal Rain is planned to be out that same date. The book will focus a bit more on introducing the wider world out around Nanagada, and it will move said cutthroat out onto a larger canvas to instigate more trouble.
If you haven’t read the book yet go read it! John deBrun, the main character is great but my favorite piece of the book is the role Pepper plays. Pepper is not the latter part of a late 80’s hip hop group. He is a badass; Pepper is one of the most hardcore characters I have read about. If you don’t want to jump straight into Crystal Rain go get The Fish Merchant, a short story featuring Pepper, for the low price of $.67. If you still need some convincing you cna read the first third of Crystal Rain for free at Crystal-Rain.com.
For another great read check out Burn by Jim Kelly, the ebook is free!
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Saved
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Amber and I watched Kiss Kiss Bang Bang last nite, and we were both very impressed! Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is not located in the adult section of your local video store! The movie stars Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. and is hilarious. The flick is narrated by Downey Jr. as he tries to survive a week or so in LA. If you only follow my advice on movies one time, make this it.
Saved
Likewise if you are looking for a good TV show to watch, check out Saved on TNT. Saved follows several EMTs through their shifts and deals with whole ranges of social issues, personality differences and emotions. This is definitely a show to keep tabs on.
Josh Smith is a blogger, database manager and adjunct professor of business and technology. 
