tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:34:15 +0000Opinions on this Blog may be closer than they appear.http://blackowl.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Dan)Blogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-1104639378115884528Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:55:00 +00002009-12-20T21:34:16.057-08:00blarrghmusicRemember when this happened a little while back? I remember the outcry for poor little Taylor Swift, and what a jerk Kanye was for doing it. And indeed I too felt a twinge of pity for Ms. Swift who afterward stood on the stage in mortified paralysis like a 19 year old girl (which, well, she is). I had listened to her album before, and it hadn't done much for me, but she was a nice girl and allhttp://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/12/swift-commentary-on-country-music.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-7263750079103771534Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:05:00 +00002009-12-13T09:08:22.186-08:00newsMSNBCfox newsCNNSo this greeted me on my Google homepage a few days ago. I draw your attention to the stories on MSNBC and FOX News indicated by my hastily added arrows. Same story, different spin, both inaccurate. That, my friends, is what passes for news in America. Well, that or what CNN did, which was ignore it for a while...http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/12/spin-and-counter-spin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-2401762781483438126Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:42:00 +00002009-12-06T12:51:30.913-08:00comicsmusicbooksLetting you all know I am not dead, just dreadfully busy. I should be back here with some biting sarcasm and cool commentary soon, but here's some quick hits:-Read Max Brooks' "World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War." Ken Burns meets George Romero in what is probably the most politically insightful book I've read in a while. Besides the obvious horror elements, Brooks does a great job http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/12/just-quick-update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-7432418646882934626Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:24:00 +00002009-11-01T16:31:26.333-08:00kidsStar Trektoysscience fictionAt Wal-Mart today, I had to get out of the way so a twelve year old girl could look at Star Trek figures. I warned her (with every intention of being a smart ass) that Wave 2 had not arrived yet. She responded that she knew, and was looking for the short packed Uhura from Wave 1. I realized, this girl knew that of which she spoke. She then however, said Captain Pike was an idiot as she http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/11/there-is-hope-for-humanity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-3164109618432650188Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:32:00 +00002009-10-28T17:48:19.505-07:00So, if you check out my Facebook you'll see I went to a Halloween party Monday night at a sport's bar dressed as Superman. I do indeed love this time of year, and any opportunity to act like a big geek in a public venue I jump at.Let me again point out this particular costume shindig was at a Sport's bar. More than that, it's one we go to watch Monday Night Football at nearly every week- the http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/10/maybe-its-s.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-6344192365201355039Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:42:00 +00002009-10-24T13:45:47.408-07:00blogsjenniferrunning(This is actually the first post of a whole new blog. If this intrigues you, follow that link!)This last week I turned 37, and left behind the halcyon days of “mid-thirties” for the far less entertaining days of “late-thirties.” Yeah, I know, me and some 15 billion people before me (though let's face it- for a lot of human history age 40 was considered “aged”), and it's going on all the time. http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/10/new-blog-running-dan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-4844122085988341327Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:03:00 +00002009-10-14T21:10:27.092-07:00JesusbooksGodfaithHave you all ever heard of Arius? Probably not- he was an Egyptian priest in the early Church who got in trouble because he said Christ and God were of separate “substances.” Indeed, he argued that since Jesus was the “begotten” Son of God (Jn 3:16- as any football fan can tell you) there must have been a time before He was begotten, making God unbegotten, and therefor separate substance; http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/10/book-report.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-5841399249995229829Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:56:00 +00002009-10-10T08:11:16.715-07:00obamanimoyCobrapoliticsdemocracyOK, it's no secret I voted for and remain a fan of our current Commander-In-Chief. I think given the steaming pile of American Eagle droppings he was handed on January 20th, the fact he has yet to have broken down and cried openly on national television is a testament to his character. Taking heat for not fixing the previous eight years worth of smeg-ups in the first 10 months alone would have http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/10/maybe-i-should-pick.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-3532432557938796815Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:46:00 +00002009-09-19T14:02:29.959-07:00constitutionwashingtonconservativesbill of rightsgovernmentrepublicansPalinpoliticsMy dear congressional Republicans, there is a problem in this country which needs your action. Right now, Federal bureaucrats are preventing doctors from making medical decisions regarding their patients. A specific treatment which has proven beneficial and cost effective is being blocked by big government, and some committee which thinks it know better than physicians how patients should be http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/09/deyz-in-yur-government-mezzin-up-yer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-5057819037788990408Sat, 19 Sep 2009 02:10:00 +00002009-09-19T14:08:27.498-07:00ZackcarsjenniferHelenaThe above picture is of Helena and I. You probably know by now about my recent purchase of a 1985 Pontiac Fiero, but let me go into some detail here.I have been driving a 98 Honda Civic we bought new in, well, 1998. It is a great car and has served us well. When we came back from Europe in 2006, we bought Jennifer a brand new Accord V6. It's a spiffy thing, with plenty of zoom-zoom. Again, ahttp://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/09/anthropomorphism-love-story.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-5515124431106425848Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:36:00 +00002009-09-09T05:35:58.042-07:00my firmjolene blalockmoviesnimoyStar Trekholidaytoysscience fictiongeekYes indeed, it is that time of the year again. The Great Bird of the Galaxy has let our planet revolve around the sun one more time, and we again find ourselves on Trek Day! To celebrate Trek day this year, I made a custom Mirror Universe Sulu based on the new movie, and wanted to share a special Trek story with you as we all huddle around the glow of the intermix chamber and quietly sip our http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/09/happy-43rd-star-trek.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-1427108452250568874Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:09:00 +00002009-09-06T15:16:45.599-07:00GI Joeterrorismmoviesblarrghscience fictiongeek...the two most recent films you saw in a theater. Show your work. Be as spoiler free as possible.Cost of production:G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra- $175 million.District 9- $30 MillionStarring:GIJ- Sienna Miller! Dennis Quaid! Channing Tatum! Marlon Wayans!D9- Sharlto Copely? Jason Cope? Nathalie Boltt?Director:GIJ- Stephen Sommers (previous work “The Mummy” and “Van Helsing”)D9- Neill http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/09/compare-and-contrast.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-5459672426431901689Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:11:00 +00002009-08-28T07:00:03.931-07:00obamaconstitutionnewswashingtonconservativesbill of rightsmediarepublicanspoliticsI just watched a really good TV series from Great Britain, called “Torchwood.” For those of you who don't know, it's a spinoff of the venerable “Doctor Who” tv series, and plays a bit like a British version of “The X-Files” though is at times a bit more grown up, and certainly allows darker things to happen to its characters, which British SF is kind of famous for (Blake's 7 anyone?). It stars http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/08/so-i-been-thinkin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-2993749095270359843Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:00:00 +00002009-08-18T06:08:17.374-07:00constitutionwashingtonfearCNNmoralityassholesThis is the stupid shit that gets your guns taken away. There's a responsibility to gun ownership, and you know, we can bitch about the Government taking away our rights all we want to, 90% of the time it's in response to one (or more) of us being an idiot. Thanks for making all legitimate, responsible gun owners look like nuts. I really appreciate it.You may not have broken the law, but you http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/08/this-is-stupid-shit-that-gets-your-guns.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-4552012823711454777Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:51:00 +00002009-08-17T21:32:58.442-07:00moviestvtoystoo coolPictured here is the coolest nonsensical toy I have seen in years. It's a Hot Wheels sized 57 Chevy, taxi cab, with homemade armor and a Gatling gun on its hood. In a toy aisle filled with licensed ads for television shows or movies, here's this random line of cars with heavy machine guns attached. No stories, no background, just cool cars with big guns. It was love at first sight.http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/08/this-makes-no-sense.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-7247038239312883713Sun, 02 Aug 2009 22:48:00 +00002009-08-02T15:52:14.614-07:00long absencedeathunadulterated griefOur dear dog Cleo died today, she was 10. We are all going to miss her terribly. She was good. Always good.http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/08/best-dog-ever.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-523906391157497579Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:23:00 +00002009-07-18T10:08:41.898-07:00comicsPower GirlDCgalacticaI am going to state up front- I am biased here. I am however going to present my short sweet evidence as succinctly and objectively as I can.This is not Power Girl:THIS is Power Girl:I tried reading DC's Power Girl series by Palmiotti and Gray with art by Mr. Palmiotti's wife Amanda Conner. It's dull. PG feels like a supporting character in her own book, and there are no less than THREE http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/07/cleavage-isnt-issue.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-7051013304563598271Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:46:00 +00002009-07-16T09:34:19.045-07:00Direct TV sucksThe DaughterwashingtonArizonacapitalismHaving just completed a move from my beloved Great Northwest to my nostalgia filled (read that as "haunted by my past") Great Southwest, I learned some things along the way. As is the nature of blogging, I will now share those things with you!I am being followed by Birds of Prey.I had a pair of Bald Eagles in Washington who liked to poop on my car on the Highway. Now the joker above stalks my http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/07/things-i-learned-in-my-move.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-1174954672287541676Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:09:00 +00002009-06-26T18:18:11.257-07:00newsMSNBCfox newsCNNTwittercelebritymediafnorddoomsdayI bear no ill will toward Michael Jackson or his family. Where, however, are our priorities? I suppose making a green twitter avatar is enough for most Americans.I am not trying to point out MSNBC here either. When I went to capture the image for this, MSNBC was the only news website whose MJ coverage actually shared a frame with serious news. CNN and FOX both had their Michael coverage so http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/06/priorities.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-6826093168673558797Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:55:00 +00002009-06-25T11:44:48.900-07:00comicsBatwomanblarrghBlue BeetleBatmanWhile bouncing between moving vans and farewells, I managed got a copy of the latest issue of Detective Comics. Yeah, I said I would wait for the trade, but it's Greg Rucka, and came highly recommended by Eric Trautmann, who had a really good opening issue to "JSA Vs. Kobra: Engines of Faith" couple of weeks back. (Before I go any further, let me definitely recommend that as well; the best http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/06/quick-recommendation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-6524615607888025611Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:53:00 +00002009-06-22T21:28:32.580-07:00jolene blalockjenniferThe DaughterwashingtonPlaymatesArizonatvStar Trektoysscience fictiongeekWell, time grows short here in the Great and Free Northwest States of Greatness and Freedom, and soon I will be heading to warmer, dryer climates. I've had a few Blog ideas bouncing around in my head, but nothing too definite, so I figured I'd throw out a few little ones.Though with less fanfare than her High School graduate brother, The Daughter has also reached one of life's milestones; http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/06/some-random-stuff.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-2092904750921467630Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:42:00 +00002009-06-14T08:50:33.923-07:00Zackbest everjenniferpridefutureOn 11 June 2009, my son Zachary graduated High School. I am a proud parent, it is true, but even better is the fact that Zack is a genuinely good man who has the desire to make the world around him a better place. Even if he weren't my son, I would admire his personality; the fact he is my son just makes me more proud.I am of course not the only proud parent here.Congratulations my son. Now go http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/06/and-then-i-feel-little-hope.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-7611489843299755624Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:55:00 +00002009-06-11T11:23:17.033-07:00usaliberalsconstitutionwarningconservativesfearassholesfaithGoddemocracydoomsdayterrorismugly wordsfutureWhy a whimper? Fear. Fear is what drives people these days. Fear of the economy crashing, fear of the terrorists, fear of change. Fear drives hate. Fear drives paranoia. Fear drives bigotry.This last couple of weeks, I have been poking fun at our society with some TS Eliot, and have been waiting for that funny little story to post to fit the title of this post, something full of snark and http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/06/not-with-bang-but-with-whimper.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-1544614159770952225Wed, 10 Jun 2009 05:29:00 +00002009-06-09T22:44:10.841-07:00liberalspetablarrghfishwashingtontvhippiesfnorddoomsdaySo, as I was watching the local news tonight I came across this story. That's right, PETA is concerned people are throwing dead fish.Dead fish.I am a big animal guy. I've had dogs, cats, chickens, goats, pigs, rats, guinea pigs, cockatiels, finches, doves, beetles, spiders, slugs, and of course, fish which I would consider pets. I am fully aware I anthropomorphize animals, but I really think http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/06/this-is-way-world-ends-3.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8102035.post-6321462110960766260Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:38:00 +00002009-06-08T20:44:43.814-07:00fnorddoomsdayI took this photo at Target the other day while looking for Star Trek toys. These are maternity short-shorts. No seriously. These are (listen once more, and just roll it around your skull) MATERNITY SHORT-SHORTS. Maybe my incredulity will get me hate mail, but... maternity short-shorts?http://blackowl.blogspot.com/2009/06/this-is-way-world-ends-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dan)1