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Back in early March, I learned that Charlie Lundell was being treated again for cancer. When I learned of how severe it was, I started writing him a letter, but I didn’t like it’s tone. It felt like too much of a good-bye and that’s not what I wanted. I approached it differently and worked on it for some time. When I learned at the beginning of April, he was in critical care, I polished it up one final time. On April 16th, I woke up at 3:30AM to go to the bathroom and grabbed my phone. While checking my messages, I was floored by an inbox message that Charlie had passed away a few hours before. I sat on the edge of my bed, dumbfounded and teary eyed that he was gone. I was sad because his children got cheated out of time with their father, his wife was cheated out of growing old with him, his unborn twins would never know their father first hand, and I didn’t seize my last chance to let him know how much he meant to me.

I took my little essay and decided to record it in audio format, posting it here so others would know what Charlie Lundell meant to me since I won’t be able to attend his memorial service.

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Meeting Greg Capullo

I’ve thought about writing a post about Greg Capullo for a while, but for one reason or another never did. After reading the Court of Owls story arc (I know, I’m about a year behind), I finally felt ready to write something. If you don’t read comics or don’t really go to comic conventions like MegaCon or Austin Comic Con, you’re probably wondering… [Read more…]

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In 2004, KT Tunstall made her debut on Later…with Jools Holland. The story goes that Nas was scheduled to perform that night and ended up pulling out last minute. Badly needing a fill in, the show took a chance on KT. Because it was such short notice, KT was unable to pull her band together so she had to perform solo. The video above is what is now considered a legendary performance.

I recall hearing “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” on the radio, but never liked it so I didn’t become a fan of KT’s until I watched this particular video. I still don’t like this song much; I prefer some of her other tunes. However, this video is mesmerizing to watch because

  1. It was her debut,
  2. Proves her talent is genuine, and
  3. To put it simply: This girl don’t need no backup band; she is her own band.

I admit, I’ve watched this thing some 20 some odd times and I still say “Wow!” every time. It’s also funny to watch because in the beginning, the audience claps out of politeness and at the end, they erupt in approval because they got blown away.

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Facebook logo

Facebook logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You read that right. I broke up with Facebook.  It just wasn’t a very healthy relationship. I realized that the people that matter the most will get in contact with me. Additionally, I was tired of the noise. I enjoyed people posting pictures of their kids or something cool, but that was getting drowned out by crap. Whether we admit it or not, most of what we post benefits no one.

Honestly, Facebook was more about being a voyeur in other people’s lives than strengthening or establishing meaningful relationships. Another thing most people won’t readily admit. I just didn’t want to do that anymore.

I made a formal announcement before I shut off my account. Those that wanted to stay in contact got the information to stay in touch. I am hoping to have more meaningful relationships with them without Facebook running interference.

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Over the course of October and November 2012, I got to visit the Be Our Guest Restaurant a few times before New Fantasyland officially opened on December 6th, 2012. Here are a few snapshots of my visits of the interior which is amazing.

01_exterior 02_gargoyle 03_gargoyle_closeup 04_crest 05_stain_glass_window 06_statue 07_statue_closeup 08_knight_armor_1 09_knight_armor_2 10_east_wing 11_east_wing 12_east_wing 13_ballroom_ceiling 14_west_wing_rose 15_serving_cart
Exterior of the Be Our Guest Restaurant
One of several gargoyles as you walk across the bridge.
Close up of a gargoyle's face
The Beast's Crest
Stain glass window
Statue
Statue close up
Knight's armor
A talking knight
East wing tapestries and paintings
East wing paintings and tapestries.
East wing paintings
Infamous cherub ceiling in the main ballroom.
The rose located in the West Wing of the restaurant.
How food is brought out to guests at lunch.

Pretty neat, eh?