Scavenger's Scroungings and Porthos' Ponderings

About Flashpoint

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:40:41 GMT

CBS has switched the night it's new Canadian cop show, Flashpoint, airs. It'll now be on Thursdays, 10/9pm.

I've seen the first 2 episodes and I like it alot.

It's about a Special Response Team (SWAT, basicly) in an unnamed Canadian city (though everyone knows it's Toronto). Besides procedural differences between how US Cops act vs Canadian ones (when their sniper takes down a hostage taker, on orders from command and everything, it leads to a whole inquest, just because that's procedure there, for example), the show focuses on how, the job affects the cops (said sniper's dealing with his actions).

It stars several fan favorite actors, including Enrico Colantoni (Veronica Mars, Galaxy Quest) and Amy Jo Johnson (the original and greatest Pink Power Ranger, yo!).

About Friday At The Movies

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 06:59:01 GMT

Which do i want to do worse...X-Files or the new Will Farrell thing?

About Missing Katie Holmes

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:55:12 GMT

Wow...I mean, I know she's a spawn of pure evil made flesh, but seriously...hearing Maggie Gyllenhal trying to complete sentences on The Daily Show makes me wish they had kept the ~~Beard~~ Bride of Cruise.

About Texan Snow Monkeys

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:46:47 GMT

I was driving home, still in midst of various dispairs, and a National Geographic Minute came on the radio. It talked about how some time ago, a Texas rancher had imported a colony of Japanese snow monkeys to Texas, where they've flourished.

These Snow Monkeys have a complex series of vocalizations they use for warnings and communications, and the Minute was about how the Texan ones had developed new vocalizations for things that wouldn't be found in Japan (a rattlesnake was used as an example).

So I got an image of Asian looking monkey in a cowboy hat screeching with a Texas twang, and I had to share it. Fearing I'd forget this before getting home, I pulled to the side of the road to type this up, and the Mac Book found an open network to use:D

About dvandom

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:06:32 GMT

Hey, it's physicist-at-large (but no longer large physicist) dvandom's birthday!
Yay!

About The Pickens Plan

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:04:37 GMT

I saw an ad about this on MSNBC, and it sparked hope in me at a moment I was needing it (more on this later perhaps). So I checked out http://www.pickensplan.com and watched the video.

It sounds good to me..at least as a start.

I don't know the players involved, and the science....I'd like some opinions on this:

About Covering The Issue

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:20:04 GMT

I take issue with the caption though. The New Yorker cover is not "irony" nor "satire". The New Yorker is claiming they're saterising how the right is depicting Obama. That requires context. Otherwise, you're not saying what someone else is saying...you're just saying it.

About foomf

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:29:26 GMT

It's foomf's birthday!

About the Gay Ol' Party

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:59:03 GMT

Didn't see this mentioned anywhere last week in the typical news sources, likely as it's a little fish, but I get a kick out of these stories.
"Notoriously anti-gay Republican Alabama Attorney General Troy King was supposedly caught in his marital bed, by his wife, sexing it up with a young, gay, male assistant!!!"

About Songs I Like

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:08:18 GMT

Another in the continuing unnamed series where I post lyrics for songs I like.
(Though, I guess it's named, isn't it).

The Outfield - Your Love

Your Love

Josie's on a vacation far away
Come around and talk it over
So many things that I'd like to say
You know I like my girls a little bit older
I just wanna use your love tonight
I don't wanna lose your love tonight

I ain't got many friends left to talk to
No where to run when I'm in trouble
You know I'd do anything for you
Stay the night butl keep it under cover
I just wanna use your love tonight
I don't wanna lose your love tonight

Try to stop my hands from shakin'
Somethin' in my mind's not makin' sense
It's been awhile since we've been all alone
I can't hide the way I'mm feelin'

As you leave the place won't you close the door
and don't forget what I told you
Just 'cause you're right - that don't mean I'm wrong
Another shoulder to cry upon
I just wanna use your love tonight
I don't wanna lose your love tonight
Yeah
I just wanna use your love tonight
I don't wanna lose your love tonight

The MIDI:

The Video (click the black box in the upper left to start playing):

Like Toto's Africa, actually knowing the lyrics sort of ruins the song a bit. I had never truly thought of what the song's about, but knowing the lyrics, it's clearly about a one night stand with an ex while his girlfriend's away.

Katy Perry, ~~best known~~ only throughout her career to be known for the Girls Gone Wild-esque song, I Kissed A Girl has done a re-lyriced version of the song called Use Your Love. Rather than just a gender swap for the song, she's essentially re-written the song entirely to remove any subtlety or question about the song topic. I'm sure there's some commentary about the difference in the culture from 1985 to 2008 in there somewhere.

Katy Perry - Use Your Love

I know you know my boyfriend is out of town
so have a drink, let's talk it over
So many things I shouldn't be sayin now
You know I like my boys a little bit older

I just wanna use your love
tonight, tonight, tonight. tonight, tonight
I don't wanna lose your love tonight

All my girls are no where to be found
they all split when I'm in trouble
but I'll tell you all my secrets if you stick around
the 'undercover-lovers' under the covers

I just wanna use your love
tonight, tonight, tonight. tonight, tonight
I don't wanna lose your love tonight
I just wanna use your love l-o-v-e, l-o-v-e
I just wanna use your love l-o-v-e, l-o-v-e
I just wanna use your love l-o-v-e, l-o-v-e, l-o-v-e

try to keep my head from spinning
too much to drink - not making sense
been a while since I've been with someone new
but I can't stop the way I'm feeling

As you leave please would you just close the door
now that our love affair is over
you're exactly what I was looking for
well go find a shoulder to cry upon

I just wanna use your love
tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight - tonight!
I don't wanna lose your love tonight
I just wanna use your love
tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight - tonight!
I don't wanna lose your love tonight
I just wanna use your love
tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight - tonight!
I don't wanna lose your love tonight
(You don't mean nothing at all to me
You don't mean nothing at all to me
You don't mean nothing at all to me
You don't mean nothing at all to me
You don't mean nothing at all
I think I'm done fuck'n singing this song
I think I'm done fuck'n singing this song
I think I'm done fuck'n singing this song
I think I'm done fuck'n singing this song
Singing this song, song, song song

My (at least currently) favorite version of the song is an acoustic version recorded in 1992 for a Freddie Mercury tribute show. It's available on the excellent 80's Hit's Stripped (You can listen to the track at the myspace page). (It's lyrics, used above, differ from what seems to be the accepted lyrics for the original.)

About HBO programming for kradical now?

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:47:43 GMT

Zap2it.com has an article about HBO's Deadwood not returning for some wrap-up movies. In it, about creator David Milch, it says:

"He's collaborating with former New York cop and "NYPD Blue" writer-producer Bill Clark on "Last of the Ninth," a pilot set in the corrupt NYPD of the early 1970s."

Something about that made me think...boy, that's a show that's tailor made for kradical to obsess on.

About Joke Fodder in the news

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:42:09 GMT

from IMDB: "Michael Jackson is set to revive his music career by teaming up with reformed boyband New Kids On The Block."

I'm sorry, my mind has vapor locked over the jokes that can come from that one sentence.

While I recover, how about you offer your own?

About relieving tiggerallyn's mind

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:35:59 GMT

Possibly still reeling from the news that Sacha Baron Cohen and Will Ferrell will be making a Sherlock Holmes movie (possibly with theme song provided by nemesis Mariah Carey?) tiggerallyn can take solace (at least a quantum thereof) in this bit of news:

from imdb:

Robert Downey Jr. is reportedly close to signing a deal to play Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie's forthcoming movie about the fictional detective.

The Iron Man star was drawn to the iconic role after he was shown the British filmmaker's vision of the new Holmes by Warner Bros bosses.

Downey Jr. was initially introduced to the project by his wife Susan Downey, who is working on it as a producer, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The reformed hellraiser will go head to head with comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, who is also set to play the classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle crimebuster on the big screen.

Warner Bros studio executives reportedly plan to have the Ritchie film in cinemas by 2010.

About Blaming kradical

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:51:50 GMT

It's clear now I should have used the blow torch sooner.

Almost 31 years ago, a massive blackout hit New York City one July evening around 8:30, plunging the city into chaos and panic for 24 hours. And now, over a score and half years later, a blackout hit Louisville, Colorado, plunging a few blocks into some moderately uncomfortable heat and some boredom for 2 hours.

As it happens, as a part of DeCandido Days, I'm reading Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Blackout by kradical . It's about Spike's encounter with a Slayer in 1977 in New York City during the aforementioned blackout, ie "The Secret Origin of Spike's Leather Jacket".

So after determining that in fact it was a blackout and not, say, the power company turning my power off, I sat down, dogs around, and with a battery powered book light, finished the remaining chapters of the book.

(Quick book review...it was good. It's Keith writing a Buffy story...so you know, it's like him falling off a log. Only quibble I have is a rather unsubtle prediction by Drucilla, but I can let it slide.)

Well, next I decided I should get around to checking out the MyVu iPod goggles I recently got. (Once you get used to it, it's pretty neat, but the one I got is damaged, so back to the store, I think). In prep for this weekend, I was watching Hellboy: Sword of the Storm.

Well, finally I decided I should get around to having dinner. I was planning on having a hot dog or two, still in the fridge from the 4th. Well, no heat for the hot dog, I turned to what any industrious type would do. I put the hot dog on a skewer, pulled out my convenient blow torch, and started cooking up some dinner.

As the meat bubbled and charred and I called it good, I used the bun to pull it from the now hot metal, threw on some sour kraut and mustard and as I put some chips on the plate, I noticed the clock on the coffee maker blinking, looking around (I was still watching the iPod movie), I saw the other clocks now blinking, and sure enough, seemingly in response to the blow torching of the hot dog, the power returned to my apartment (and I suppose elsewhere in my neighborhood).

In closing, to kradical, I understand a writer wants his reader to get involved in their books, but seriously, dude! I mean, next I'm gonna check out your Command & Conquer book...you gonna destroy the planets ecology just to up the realism factor on it? Sheesh!

About Movies I've seen

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:08:32 GMT

Snurched from everyone on my FL:

Below is the Entertainment Weekly’s list of 100 Classic Movies of the past 25 years. Bold the ones you’ve seen, underline the ones you plan to.

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)
2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03)
3. Titanic (1997)
4. Blue Velvet (1986)
5. Toy Story (1995)
6. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
7. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
9. Die Hard (1988)
10. Moulin Rouge (2001)
11. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
12. The Matrix (1999)
13. GoodFellas (1990)
14. Crumb (1995)
15. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
16. Boogie Nights (1997)
17. Jerry Maguire (1996)
18. Do the Right Thing (1989)
19. Casino Royale (2006)
20. The Lion King (1994)
21. Schindler’s List (1993)
22. Rushmore (1998)
23. Memento (2001)
24. A Room With a View (1986)
25. Shrek (2001)
26. Hoop Dreams (1994)
27. Aliens (1986)
28. Wings of Desire (1988)
29. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
30. When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
31. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
32. Fight Club (1999)
33. The Breakfast Club (1985)
34. Fargo (1996)
35. The Incredibles (2004)
36. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
37. Pretty Woman (1990)
38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
39. The Sixth Sense (1999)
40. Speed (1994)
41. Dazed and Confused (1993)
42. Clueless (1995)
43. Gladiator (2000)
44. The Player (1992)
45. Rain Man (1988)
46. Children of Men (2006)
47. Men in Black (1997)
48. Scarface (1983)
49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
50. The Piano (1993)
51. There Will Be Blood (2007)
52. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988)
53. The Truman Show (1998)
54. Fatal Attraction (1987)
55. Risky Business (1983)
56. The Lives of Others (2006)
57. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
58. Ghostbusters (1984)
59. L.A. Confidential (1997)
60. Scream (1996)
61. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
62. sex, lies and videotape (1989)
63. Big (1988)
64. No Country For Old Men (2007)
65. Dirty Dancing (1987)
66. Natural Born Killers (1994)
67. Donnie Brasco (1997)
68. Witness (1985)
69. All About My Mother (1999)
70. Broadcast News (1987)
71. Unforgiven (1992)
72. Thelma & Louise (1991)
73. Office Space (1999)
74. Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
75. Out of Africa (1985)
76. The Departed (2006)
77. Sid and Nancy (1986)
78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
79. Waiting for Guffman (1996)
80. Michael Clayton (2007)
81. Moonstruck (1987)
82. Lost in Translation (2003)
83. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)
84. Sideways (2004)
85. The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)
86. Y Tu Mamá También (2002)
87. Swingers (1996)
88. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
89. Breaking the Waves (1996)
90. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
91. Back to the Future (1985)
92. Menace II Society (1993)
93. Ed Wood (1994)
94. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
95. In the Mood for Love (2001)
96. Far From Heaven (2002)
97. Glory (1989)
98. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
99. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
100. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999)

About Ending Journey's and Whining Whovians

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:44:29 GMT

IO9 is reporting that the Doctor Who Season Finale will be a 90 minute special when shown on Sci-Fi, and not chopped up to fit the 60 minute time block of normal episodes. Boy, I'm sure I read about this plan elsewhere....oh right, in my responses to every whining post I've seen about Sci-Fi's plans.

"Good news! The massive 65-minute season finale of time-travel drama Doctor Who, "Journey's End," will not be edited when it appears on the Sci Fi Channel in August. Sci Fi Channel reps tell io9 that the episode will appear as a 90-minute special instead, which means that whatever happens to make you bawl like a baby (according to writer Russell T. Davies) will have its full impact. Yay for Sci Fi!"

Thanks to nthmike for the link.

Note: tiggerallyn would like it known he wasn't one of the whiners about the show.....about this post...however......:)

About 2 Great Tastes...

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:17:01 GMT

NBC's Chuck and Hellboy

About Lost Scenes from Stolen Earth

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:46:26 GMT

The BBC had released this clip in preview last week apparently. It differs from the shown scene quite a bit.
I guess it's an "alternate" take.

No real spoilers to the story.

About Wizard World Utgasms

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:15:26 GMT

Marvel has made two announcements that will make jarodrussell happy.

The writer team of Abnett and Lanning have signed an exclusive deal with Marvel.

What if ?: House of M - What if Scarlet Witch said "no more super powers?" In this book, readers will see Iron Man as Marvel's only hero, up against all the high-tech villains in the Marvel U.

Never has a company done so much to attract the business of one bitter, bitter, fanboy:)

About George Carlin

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:23:36 GMT

George Carlin died on Sunday.

That sucks.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25322638/

About what I've forgotten about Cable TV

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 04:47:22 GMT

dvandom asked : "Okay, ABC Family is a channel, not a network...so why do the ads for Middlemen say to check local listings?"

I used to know this...there's a legal or such reason why "check local listings" is used for shows on Cable rather than an actual time being given like it is on broadcast. I once knew it...and now I don't...does anyone?
(it's not an easy topic to search for)

About DeCandido Days

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 04:42:33 GMT

So, thru interlibrary loans, I've procured Command & Conquer: Tiberium Wars and Starcraft Ghost: Nova, two novels by USA Today bestselling author Keith R.A. DeCandido.

As a number of you folks on my F.L. are fans of his...and in one rare case a fiance of his...and in another...him....can someone tell me if there's anything I need to know before start reading these, being rather unfamiliar with the games they're based on.

About Covering the Bases

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:07:11 GMT

Why, if this had mentioned beagles and Mariah Carey's vendetta against tiggerallyn , it'd cover pretty much everything I blog about.

About Fist Bumps and Power Ups

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 22:19:26 GMT

There's been lots of talk about the Obama's "fist bump" last tuesday night.

Why, well known far right, conservative rabble rouser farmishtphoenix has been quick to point out the gangesque nature of the Democratic nominee for President.

Well, it's understandable how the gesture could be misconstrued. I mean it was quick, and what was said could certainly not be heard over the din of the auditorium.

But we here at Scavenger Graphics™, using the latest in BeagleTECH®, and after hours and hours of examination, are able to present you what actually went on during that historic moment on that stage.

About The Chosen Birthday

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:43:31 GMT

Happy Birthday to daytonward. Don't think it of as getting older...think of it as your warranty being closer to expiring!

Hmm..that's not a more cheerful way to think of it, is it? i'm not very good at this.