Darth Vader's a Jackass

For me this is right up there with the Vader sessions.

That's Right! I'm posting about mother @#$%in' AQUAMAN!

So, I'm sure everyone in the lodge has heard of the show "Smallville". For those who haven't it's the tales of a young Clark Kent in the years leading up to him becoming Superman (which is rumored to be @ the end of this season if any of you actually watch the show). Anyway, last year the producers of the show Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (who also have story credits for Spiderman 2) decided to put together a spin off show for the character of Aquaman.

A pilot was shot, but after UPN and the WB merged, there simply was no place on the schedule for it and the show was dropped.

About a month ago the Pilot showed up on I-tunes and was availble for download. Suprisingly, the show's actually pretty good!

I've always found Aquaman to be a pretty weak and uninteresting character, but this show seemed to really be setting up a really interesting mythology.

In a nutshell, here's the story:

A young Arthur Curry witnesses his mother being killed by a strange sea-creature at the bottom of the ocean.

Fast forward 10 years and Arthur has been developing his abilities. He can swim ultra fast, he can hold his breath for extended periods of time, he has enhanced strength, and he can communicate w/sea creatures.

Still he's obsessed with the mysterious death of his mother, much to the dismay of his step father, played by Lou Diamond Phillips.

Ving "Marsellus Wallace" Rhames shows up as Aquaman's Obi-Wan. He explains that Arthur and his Mother are from Atlantis, which is hidden at the ocean in the bermuda triangle (as is Rhames. For some reason he was exiled). The Atlantian royal family was overthrown when Aquaman was a baby. His mother was a queen and he was the prince of the kingdom. The new ruler of Atlantis is planning a war with humans. Basically Ving has to train Arthur, as he is the only hope to save humanity...blah blah blah.

The episode really is primarily setup for the rest of the series (which is pretty much what every pilot does), but it had quite a bit of potential.

Since going on I-tunes, the show has sold very well, and is one of their all time most downloaded shows. A pretty impressive acomplishment, all things considered.

Rumblings from the Pitch

Well since 2.0 gave the green light on more football talk I thought I would take it and run with it.

For those who don’t know today is the last day of the transfer window in professional football. Basically the players are owned property and if the money is right you can get sent off to Ukraine to spend the winter in Kiev. Overseas there is no free agency, unless you are a weak player and get cut.

There were some interesting rumors floating around today…. One had Real Madrid Swapping Ronaldo for Inter Milan’s Adriano, looks like time has run out on this blockbuster transfer.

The Biggest news of the day has the Hammers making a big splash landing both Carlos Tevez (Anthony Kedis mutant evil twin brother) and his Argentina teammate Javier Marcherano. To give a little perspective this would be like the Toronto Blue Jays landing both Ryan Howard and David Wright. (Two top notch young players with HUGE UPSIDE going to a perennial middle tier team who has had some glory in the past). These players had been linked with the likes of Man United, Chelsea… and so on. All the big guns wanted there talent. The Hammers might now be the clear favorite to win the UEFA CUP. They already have a nice strike force with Bobby Zamora this move only makes them more dangerous in the final third of the pitch. Look for the Hammers to make some noise in the Premiership.

R.I.P Jonathan "Pa" Kent

I had to do a shout out for Glenn Ford today. Most people our age remember him as Pa Kent from "Superman: The Motion Picture". While I haven't seen many of his films I do remember him from Midway, 3:10 to Yuma, and of course, Gilda.
Glenn Ford was considered one of the great actors of his era. Which is odd, as he was never even nominated for an Academy Award.
In regards to his role as Superman's adopted Father, Glenn Ford brought more to the role of Jonathan Kent than any comic book writer had ever done before. To this day, you can still see the influence of his performance on the character.

Morning Thoughts

"They'll come for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes.

And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the the light years, Ray, has been baseball. The Galaxy has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come."

Another one bites the dust...

It has been brought to my attention that another one of "the triangle" is going down. First it was The New Luck Toy and now Jimmy Woo's Jade Pagota is shutting it's doors. I think we should gather up tonight and give the Jade a salute and a send off.

So let's get together tonight and have a drink and a few laughs. This place has a great jukebox and cheap drinks. The bar itself is circa 1970's. So if anyone wants to come I'll be there around 9ish...

Top Ten Wednesdays

Back for a successful third week.
This week I am going to steal from the idea of another Lodge Mate.

I believe it was The Duke and Jimbo who mentioned a "Anti Lodge Hall of Fame" when talking about the Psych serial Killer/Molester.

so I thought we could lay out this weeks list as follows

TOP TEN INAUGURAL NOMINEES OF THE "ANTI LODGE HALL OF FAME"




My 1st Nominee in the #10 slot is Joe Theisman
While knowledgable in the sport, his arrogance annoys me. Plus he changed the pronunciation of his name to try to win the Heisman Trophy, Didnt win, and then pretty much insulted his heritage by keeping the new name.
Also both Jimbo and I hate him. If both a Redskin fan and Cowboy fan can agree on hating someone, well then he is HOF in my book.

Wednesday News

So a couple of interesting topics this morning from the Mojo Wire Network. The first is the plan from Universal Music to begin to offer free downloads beginning in December on a site called: "SpiralFrog". An interesting public move by a large music corporation that is relying on site advertisement to generate revenue. In another very interesting move it will not format to 2.0's iPod. My question to the Lodge is this: Does this change the future of how we access music? Or is this another attempt by the Giants to makes some sort of money from increasingly World Wide Hong Kong pirating network? Does this mark the end of iTunes? Will Batman be able to escape the Joker's watery shark-filled dungeon?


And in other non-related iPod news, Warren Jeffs, who's been living the American dream of creating his own religion that mandates sex with as many young girls as possible is facing the gentile reality of American Law Enforcement. The dream is over, and America finally has a rival to the Husien clan of Iraq after Jeffs' 40 to 70 marriages and possible 60 children, or as he's known in the inner circles of the runaway Mormon Sect: Warren Kemp (rim-shot). It's a pity that the newly constructed Palace d' Incest will be w/o their prophet, but I'm sure one of the 60 will be able to step up.

The Player you Hate

There's one person on my fantasy team I'm starting to definitely not like. There's one person who runs the risk of sheerly irritating me with his antics. Tom Brady skipped out on practice last week; well ok. Domanick Davis has an injured knee and might not play; ok. But this guy... effin Terrell Owens, DRAMA QUEEN. He doesn't go to practice at all because he has a "hamstring" problem? Then he gets fined and doesn't care. Yet he still thinks he's the greatest wide receiver ever while he sits at home in San Francisco, I hope Jerry Rice beats some sense into him.

I came across a portion of his tottally incredible auto-biography online. Apparently, his drama has been ingrained on him since childhood. He has sheltering issues: Terrell was only allowed to leave the yard to attend church or school. In the evenings he’d creep to a window and sob as he saw children playing in the street. He was eventually given a bicycle but not allowed to ride it past the end of the driveway. He doesn’t remember hearing the words I love you from his mother “or anyone else,” he writes. But not even that was the worst of it. This might explain why he just wants to stay home.

And then his life is just odd altogether from other childhood trauma: At age 11 Terrell developed a crush on a girl across the street and began sneaking over to flirt with her — until her father told him that he could not “be interested in her” because she was his half-sister. “It took me a while to understand that I was talking to my father,” Owens writes. When he asked his mother why she’d never told him that his father lived across the street, she said that “it wasn’t necessary to explain everything to me.” Which could continue to explain dysfunctional faculties in his professional career.

Who is the guy on your team you love to hate? Which player drives fear about your team potential to be great this season? Which player drains more of your attention than an overbearing girlfriend? Who has great potential that could drive the success home, but could end up wrecking it all....

I’m guessing Professor Plum, in the Library, with the Lead Pipe

We all know about the infamous Madden curse. So my question to the lodge is how do you think Shaun Alexander will be affected this year?

As Shaun’s GM in the lodge fantasy football league, I’m going to tell you that the Browncoats don’t believe in jinx’s. They believe in Championships, and giving 110%.

Here’s how the curse has affected the past players on the cover of the game:

Year of Release/Madden Title Cover/Athlete/Alleged Curse

1998/1999/Garrison Hearst/Injured; while playing against the Falcolns, twisted his ankle on very first play of scrimmage

1999/2000(1)/Barry Sanders/Abruptly retired during training camp in 1999.

1999/2000(2)/Dorsey Levens/Cut by the Packers in 2001 and finished his career as a journeyman player.

2000/2001/Eddie George/Key fumble vs. Ravens in playoffs; team lost in Divisional Playoff after losing Super Bowl 34

2001/2002/Daunte Culpepper/Injured; missed 5 games in 2001; team missed playoffs after losing NFC Championship in 2000

2002/2003/Marshall Faulk/Injured; least productive season as a Ram up to that point; team missed playoffs after losing Super Bowl 36

2003/2004/Michael Vick/Injured; missed 11 games after breaking leg in 2003 preseason; team missed playoffs after losing Divisional Playoff in 2002

2004/2005/Ray Lewis/Broke wrist and missed Pro Bowl; Critically seen as an off year; team missed playoffs after losing Wild Card Playoff in 2003

2005/2006/Donovan McNabb/Injured; missed 7 games in 2005; team missed playoffs after losing Super Bowl 39

2006/2007/Shaun Alexander/TBA

(1) - Barry Sanders was featured in the background along with John Madden in most versions of Madden 2000.
(2) - Dorsey Levens was featured, by himself, in a less common version of Madden 2000.

*special thanks to Wikipedia

I would have posted pics, but blogger is acting up.

Top 5 Reasons I hate Jorno's and Colorado: #2 JonBenet F'n Ramsey

I debated whether or not to even post this and considering the first post I wrote got erased, I should see the karmic forces working against me. However, when an individual rises to the top and claims the title for "biggest douche in the world" I feel it post-worthy. The question remains what will be the next step for the US and of A if people no longer have to have a) talent to be popular or b) committed the crime they will forever be known for? Anyway, I say we try the JMK for poops and laughs and let him hang out in a State Pen for a little while to see what life is like for a pedder-ass from the inside.

Best. Shirt. Ever.

I have the piece of mind to take your mother out to a nice seafood dinner and never call her again!

Shirt availabe from bustedtees.com

In other news....drafting a kicker in the second round is officially not the worst move ever. Train and I had a draft and the person with the number 1 overall pick had one of the most epic drafting nights ever. It should also be noted that this was someone who considers himself a total "football guy".

Here's a replay of his first few draft picks (NONE of this is made up)

Round 1 (FIRST PICK OVERALL): Peyton Manning

Round 2: Neil Rackers.

Round 3: Tried to draft Ricky Williams, Priest Holmes and Jerome Bettis. Ended up drafting the Chicago Bears defense.

That's just beautiful, man.

Blogging for $$$$

Could the Black Lodge be that next great empire?

Big League Draft

I'll see my of ya'll online Sunday morning for the Big League Draft. 14 Teams, one championship. We'll see what happens on Sunday, but it's going to be interesting again this year with so many teams. Soup will whine, a Kelder will take a Chicago Bear waaay too high, and good times will be had. Guaranteed.



I'm sitting at #4 hoping LT, Shaun, or LJ will drop to me. But we all know that won't happen. So it looks like I might take Peyton Manning in the four slot. Crazy? Maybe, but last year Indy leaned on the Edge upwards of 1600 yrds on the ground... and I have a gut feeling that Indy will be going back to the air this year and Manning will throw somewhere between his 28 passing TD's in 2005 and his monster year of 49 passing TD's in 2004.

It's always fun... not as fun as doing it live and hearing someone mispronounce Houshmandzadeh. I can't find a link to the commercial online, but the very end is the best when he says "Championship." Just like a Kelder. But with the history of the league, running dialogue and trash talking between Kelder and Goose... it's fun nonetheless.

Dungeon Noodles

This was an incredibly interesting story out of Austria that I caught on my news trip yesterday. This girl was kidnapped eight years ago and escaped earlier this week from her master who kept her in a homemade suburban dungeon. Natascha Kampusch was held and basically raised by this creepy guy while his neighbors and family never questioned this girl that they sometimes saw around his place. It is surreal and crazy, and is likely to become an oddly twisted movie that should be directed by Chan Wook Park or I'd dare to even say Takashii Miki.

"I called him 'Master'..."

The Austrian nation is really hopped up over all of this and it has caused a national discussion on the psychological effects of this experience. Likely, as an after affect of Sigmund Freud - who also lived in the area where the girl was kidnapped from. The family has been reunited with this girl in what has been described as something that could only be seen in the movies. I seriously feel this story is way more interesting than the dumb and tired Jean-Benet Ramsey saga.

As a Lodge question: What thriller movies does this story most closely resemble to you guys? & Why do our social institutions continue to not notice creepy mental guys!?

(related topic:Stockholm Syndrome)

Everyone can relax now...

The M's are BACK!!!! Forget the 0 for whatever, we just took 2 out of 3 from the Bombers and we're going to the playoffs...

Astronomical Noodle Update:

The votes are in and based on play from last 80 years, Pluto has been relegated to just another large floating rock, Uranus...watch your back. I think I speak on behalf of the Lodge when I say-"BS!"...but I suppose our lives will have to move on...

Even the big guy likes Premium Malt Liquor

Gooses Random Pigskin Tidbit

Junior Seau is coming out of his brief "retirement" to sign with the Patriots. Seau will get the skinny on what it's like to play for Bill Belichick from the 14 linebackers who made a Pro Bowl and at some point in their professional careers had Belichick as either their head coach, assistant head coach, coordinator or position coach:

Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, Brad Van Pelt, Carl Banks, Pepper Johnson, Clay Matthews, Mike Johnson, Chris Slade, Bryan Cox, Mo Lewis, James Farrior, Willie McGinest, Tedy Bruschi and Chad Brown.

Top Ten Wednesdays

Back for a third consecutive week.

This week since the Lodge is dead and needs a little pick me up

Im giving a Non Sports Focused Top Ten

Top 10 Things I'd Most Like To Know

Here is my #1
I'd like to know the full story behind who killed JFK. Maybe a little time warp so I can see the actual event (Like a Quantum Leap kind of thing)



Something a little deeper for thought on a Cloudy Wednesday in the Lodge

It's getting near that time again!

So McFarlane Toys is putting out a series of 'Lost' action figures this September, and they finally released the first images.
At first I couldn't really have cared less, but these things look really cool! I totally need to get a pre-button pushing Locke.
Each figure comes with the pictured background you see, and there is also going to be a hatch box set (the last picture). Apparently there's already another series in the pipeline of different figures, which will inclue good ol' Mr. Eko.

I'm getting amped up now! First we've got the season 2 extended edition box set due out September 5, then the figures, and then finally Season 3 starts on October 4!

ABC is trying something a little different this season with the scheduling of the show. According to the producers, the first six episodes will be shown in order, without re-runs. The producers are saying that the first six episodes is built almost like a mini-series. They're promising to answer a lot of questions in those first few episodes. The rumor is the first episode will only follow Jack's crew, and not the people on the other side of the island (is that vague enough for those who haven't seen it yet?).

After those six episodes are shown, the series will go on hiatus until late winter (late February/early March). From that point every single week will be a new episode until the end of the season.

Personally I think that's a much better way to go. I was getting really frustrated with the way they mixed the re-runs in.

Lando Calrisian is Pissed

No more hanging out in Cantinas in the Central District or Capitol Hill. The City of Seattle has found that drinking malt liquor is a no-no. According to this morning's local news all your favorite cheap beer and fortified wines will be banned from certain neighborhoods. No more Steel Reserve, Olde "E 800", Thunderbird, or COLT 45.

According to Sea-Times reporting the store owners of the area feel as though they are being singled out. Yet the city indicates this change is because of alcohol related complaints in that neighborhood. Still, the Ballard area outranks the Central District in these types of complaints and will not have the ban in effect. (discrimination?) Local store owner Amare Taye knows where to pit his angst and anger: "This is happening because Bellevue people move here, I'm telling you."

I wish it was Dutch

I don't know which of you guys emailed this to me. It really is the best worst fight scene I have ever watched. If there were snakes in it, the internet might not be able to handle it.

The old man goes to Philly

I know that baseball isn't a popular lodge topic, and right now the city doesn't even want to think about the Mariners, but it just feels wrong not to give a shout out to Jamie Moyer.

The proto-typical journeyman, having played for what felt like half the league. But here he stayed for 11 eventful years. He was never the best, but he was consistent, and the guy had class.

I remember the one time I saw Jamie in the real world. I was at a restaurant in Seattle, and Jamie was with his wife a couple tables over. A pair of guys walked over to talk to him, and he explained that he was just trying to have dinner and that they could ask for an autograph after he was done.
The guys went back to their table, and eventually migrated back to the bar. After they finished eating, his wife went outside and he actually sought the guys out to talk to them & sign autographs. I always thought that was really cool.

Moyer was the kind of ballplayer that I imagined playing in the 50's. He always had this composure that you saw in the golden age of baseball. The guy doesn't play for the check, he plays for the love of the game.

Alright...we're talking about something else.

So it's Madden Day, which at least this lodge member is totally geeked about. So, here's muy discussion topic for the Lodge:

Favorite Football Video Games (And I don't mean Soccer)

Personally, I would have to go with Madden '04. That was the first Football game I REALLY got into. '05 was pretty much more of the same, but I was a little dissapointed with a '06. The whole quarterback sight thing was kind of lame. Luckily on the 07 edition it's now a feature you can toggle on or off (apparently a lot of people hated it)

As far as an old school choice, you just can't beat Tecmo Bowl. It was goofy, and really easy to cheat, but still good times.

And then there's crap like this (sorry Train, I had to do it):

Oscar for Most Awesome Movie Ever Made

I was at Frye's this weekend. By chance I had a camera in my bag with me. Luckily, I was able to catch a true retail phenomenon. Behold the continuing glory that is Riddick Trilogy. I'm guessing Diesel power is so profitable for Frye's that they quadrupled their inventory on it, i had to pull out the below sci-fi bin to understand the full awe of Riddick power. Riddick is the DVD you leave out on purpose when friends come over so you hope they ask to watch it with you. Its one of the most fulfilling store experiences I've had since Jay Jacobs went out of business. Sadly though, I am now able to give you full visual evidence of the previous travesty against Edward James Olmos I mentioned months back...

Obviously, Serenity still struggles with trying to gain DVD sales. (because it really sucks) They are still trying to hock it by bundling it at a discount rate with a good DVD series Battlestar Galactica. Its comparable to that almost-free unnecessary extra they wanna sell you on infommercials. You really want that blender, but the spatula add-on isn't needed. Well, the spatula is $10 off. You might use it, but more likely it will sit around with your other utensils in a dirty drawer or forgotten cabinet. i.e. dirty t-shirt rags, Firefly, bent spoons, the last season of Buffy, used disposable chopsticks, all seasons of Angel, that dirty can of Comet, San Diego Comicon home movies.

I mean, Sh*^ - Logan's Run was selling for 3.99 on DVD; they didn't even have to bundle it with another movie for me to want it.

Were you listening to the dude's story?

This link isn't work appropriate, but it's really funny, and worth checking out when you get home.

I present to you:

The @#$%ing short version of the 'Big Lebowski'

http://www.collegehumor.com/movies/1700131/

Goose's new ride

Well gentlemen there comes a time in a mans life when he need to get rid of the 2001 Ford Focus station wagon that has been his trademark for several years. A man needs to buy a car that symbolizes America. A car that says speed. A car that says muscle.

Gentlemen...

I give you Gooses new ride.
The 2006 Dodge Charger.
Inferno Red and looking sharp. This is now how I roll.

The Lodge loses another member....

Before I get out of here for the weekend and get prepped for the South Street Keg'ger tomorrow night...I would be remissed not to give a proper shout-out to one of our own and his leap of faith tomorrow night...CTown will soon join the elite club of men who go through the education of learning that they know nothing on a daily basis...Here's to August's Man of the Match and his new bride...may their honeymoon be filled with drink umbrellas and "do not disturb" signs...

NoodleGate

A recent news article reveals U.S. policies against Bill Gates. As Gates attempts to save Africa with the power of Windows, only one person can take his stead, who knows the "hard knock life", as a formidable government opponent and poverty advocate.

WASHINGTON, DC—The Bush Administration unveiled a new $64 billion spending package Monday for a joint CIA–Pentagon program aimed at neutralizing the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's global humanitarian network.
"The fight against Gates will not be easy, will not be quick, and will not be without enormous cost," said Director Of National Intelligence John D. Negroponte of the new program, which calls for the creation of a new $20 billion counter-philanthropy unit aimed at punishing those countries that accept or use, directly or indirectly, any financial support from the Gates Foundation.
"If they want to use this money to purify a well, we will be there to fill it in with bacteria-infested soil before they get the chance," Negroponte said. "If they want to ensure that millions of children receive immunity shots for typhoid, whooping cough, or diphtheria, we will ensure that country's medicine is never received."

Snakes On A Plane Primer Pt 3

Snakes On A Plane Primer Pt 2

Snakes On A Plane Primer Pt 1

Someone tell Sam Jackson he's my bro...

A Lodge Gathering?

Hey I know that some of the Lodge is getting married this weekend...so this doesn't apply to those people. But for those of you not attending Seatown's wedding (I guess my invitation got lost in the mail) I invite you to the Morgan Street Lodge, The Black Lodge's little buddy for a night of drinking, eating and good ole conversation.

Saturday, August 18, 2006, 3pm

Here is the Schedule...Frisbee Golf at Lakewood Park Disc Golf Course 3pm...

Once we are done it's back to the Morgan Lodge for eats and fun...if you want talk to other people about your golf round or just talk about some stories...that's great! If you need more info...email me...or just reply to the Blog. Look forward to seein' all who come!