Poster Fandom

For the longest time, I was a big fan of wrestling pay per view posters, using many of them for my wallpapers at work and home. So much so that the No Mercy Booker T poster hangs in my home office, thanks to the Mayhem guys.

But, for the longest time, there seemed to be a horrid lack in poster quality. Both TNA and WWE seemed to have lesser offerings. But, this month in particular, I was amazed by what's come out from WWE and TNA.

First, I was surprised by the group shot they're using for Final Resolution of the Main Event Mafia.




First off, think what you may, but every one of those guys in that picture have some sort of memory that has shaped my wrestling experience in the last 10 to 15 years. Sting crossing to the darkside against the NWO. Angle with countless memories, including Lesner at WrestleMania, winning the title in Pittsburgh, and even singing with Stone Cold. And all of them, dapper as hell in those kick ass suits and shades (though Kevin Nash hates sunglasses, it seems). That's just "New Horseman" inducing imagery there.


WWE has had a good run of posters lately. The pictures are so unreal. I'm pretty sure this is a digital mock up. Pretty sure. Jericho in his recently-trademark suit. That devious look only he could do, and the unreal nature of the button press. They harken back to a couple other favorites....


And I guess at this point, we start to notice that No Mercy seems to be the creative peak of the WWE Graphics Department for the year. sigh The art of pro wrestling...

Friday5: Overwhelmed

1. What’s a profession you believe to be overpaid?
Lawyers. Especially knowing how much work they just shovel off. 2. Who’s a musician you believe to be overrated?
I think a lot of country and pop. Most of these people don't even write their own songs. To me, when you perform a song, it sort of represents you. That's how I approach things. I wish I could learn to make beats to make it all my own creation. But some of these guys, they show up to a studio. Someone wrote the lyrics. Someone has the music setup already. They spit the verses, and get all of the glory, touring, and interviews. Something doesn't seem right about that.
3. What in your life could stand to be overhauled?
I suppose my direction. I'm working in a lot of different ways, and I'm not sure if they'll get me anywhere at this point.
4. What’s something interesting you recently overheard?
I was at the Black Friday proceedings about 8 AM yesterday. Everything seemed pretty calm, but one of the electronics department employees was showing the other the damage from the opening rush. Heard a few other quick stories of shopper madness that morning.
5. Who is the most overextended person you know?
My dad was for a bit. He still has a lot. But at one point, he was attempting to care for his mother with alztheimers, dealing with his foot injury, dealing with his shortened income, the property and assets for my grandmother that needed tended to, and ended up in the hospital for foot surgery.

Who Else is Friday 5-ing? (You know you want to join us…)

*As always, the Friday 5 questions were taken from Friday5.org. If you join the fun, be sure to let me know so I can add you to the link list! And don’t forget to send those questions in that you’re itching for us to answer! Don’t worry, we’ll gladly pimp your blog for the effort.(from www.friday5.org

WTF Was I Thinking Video: Thanksgiving Throwback

Ever since I started coming down for school in the 'burgh, I've attempted to return home every Thanksgiving for that extended weekend after visiting my family in Moon. It was always a great time to catch up with everyone still back home. It's just random happenings in my room at my dad's place, but entertaining, nonetheless.

• Once again, Chachi is probably going to kill me, but man, that kid could dance.
• This came to mind after running into an old friend I fell out with after a bit some 8 years ago who gave Chachi his name.
  
• To ID, the one girl is my cousin in the background, the other I haven't talked to and moved to Texas, I think? Brian, the other dude, got married or something.
  
• It's pointless. It's Thanksgiving. Give Thanks for Chachi's mad jigging skils....
  

Shoppers' Holiday

A few years back, I had decided that I would "experience" Black Friday. My dad was doing good and wanted to do some good things for the family, so I decided to help out. We scoped out a couple of sub-$400 HP Computers, a Gamecube from my brother, and maybe a couple other things. I recalled heading in early, just after midnight, to see if there were any deals. It was odd. Surreally quiet. Lots of lines of carts. We bolted since it wasn't what my sister recalled in previous years.

We got up early. I mean, I don't think the sun was up. We went in with our list, found some "vouchers" for the computers. Found a digital camera I was itching to pick up, and circumvented the lines of carts and danced my way into electronics to pick on of the last three Gamecube specials off of the pallet.

It was fun. It was an experience. It was something I don't want to have to do every year. Nor in a city Walmart, as apposed to the small town of Greenville.

But I find myself in it this year. We determined there were some deals that we shouldn't pass up, especially with the questionable nature of our work situations, and not getting what we expected this year. So I recruited my brother, and hope to embark to the local 'Marts and 'Stops to see what we can venture to find.

I was watching some of the 11 o'clock news and some things about tomorrow. Some stores already opening for the sales. Some people are sitting out in the cold tonight. One guy, lieing on the concrete with his makeshift pillow, sleepily proclaimed "for my ten dollars. I heard they're giving ten dollars away to some of the people." Now, this is the guy who stood out all night in the cold with some friends for a Nintendo Wii a full month after it was released. I can't see anything that's good enough of a deal to sit out all night for.

It's been a few years. I'm going to the wolves for this one. Not as crazy as some, but crazy enough to go out into the storm. We'll see what this brings in the morning...

Wrestling Mayhem Show 144: Chachi Says He's In Charge

Chachi's back again. And this time he's in control of the Mayhem. Or is he.






This is Episode 144 for Tuesday, November 26, 2008. You can get the episode here on Talkshoe, subscribe, and as always, stay tuned to http://www.wrestlingmayhemshow.com/ for the latest! The Wrestling Mayhem Show is recorded live and can be heard/viewed from 8 PM to 10 PM Eastern on Talkshoe.com and BlogTV.com. Let us know what you think of the show, and your thoughts on the wrestling world by emailing us at goodtimes@wrestlingmayhemshow.com!

Cat vs Tech

This week, I went to the safe haven of my father's place in Jamestown, PA. A few days with limited contact and technology. Maybe that's why I had the experience I did.

My dad has two cats. Marco and Polo. I had decided to bring my Nintendo Wii home for something to entertain myself, and play with my 13 year old nephew since he still rocks an original Xbox.

So I arrive Sunday, and setup the Wii, as I know dad's television setup can be a little whacky. I wanted to make sure I could without buying an adapter from Walmart, where we were looking to venture shortly. So I setup the Wii. Sensor bar on top of the DirecTV box, Wii console set on a stand/lamp combo thingie. So we head to Walmart and do our thing so I can set my dad up with some wireless internet action.

We get back to find a crime scene. A crime against gaming. Strewn across the floor was the Wii. Somehow, it looked like it was drug. You could follow it. Wall outlet to the console. Then console corded to the sensor bar, at the furthest distance from the television. Some ten or twelve feet of mayhem. I set everything back up, booted up the system to make sure it was still ok. Made sure the Smash Bros. disc inside was ok.

So I setup the thing on the floor this time, and watched the animals' reactions for the rest of the week...



Marco steps up with his curiosity. First, investigating the perceived source of the odd devices power. Perhaps his investigation before is what the device to its knees. Perhaps he seeks to do it again. Or, perhaps, he just is interested by dangly things.


Marco turns a shoulder, as if to give the mysterious obilisk. Perhaps to give it the pretense that it has "won". A false hope, perhaps.


But Marco turns back. To give the device one last glare. One last sniff. What are the secrets you hold...

"You Haz Won Thiz Day, Devize..."

I Remember Going Down the Road

I remember my grandparents living down the road.
I remember walking through our back yard, through my cousin's junk yard driveway, and up to the house.
I remember my aunt living on the other side of their house in that trailer and her son blaring music.
I remember the summer days with family sitting around and us kids playing under the big chestnut tree out front.
I remember the burnt out trailer that they used to live in before the fire I might not have been born yet for.
I remember my sister living down there in her teenage years and not seeing her that often.
I remember always being intimidated by my grandfather.
I remember him being a big, scary guy who swore a bit.
I remember my grandmother telling me to knock someone out who gave me problems in school.
I remember all of those things she taught me about life.
I remember the family gatherings down there.
I remember my cousin's band playing for the family for a picnic.
I remember playing baseball with the other kids.

I remember the family get togethers slowing down.
I remember when Grandpa died.
I remember when Grandma recognized me.

Friday5: The Dollar Short Edition

1. How’s your health?
Fine for as little as I work out.

2. How was your day?
Um, fine. Just a lot of handling things before a week of attempted relaxation out of town.
3. How’s the weather?
Cold. And not as

4. How do you expect to get anywhere in life with an attitude like that?
Wow, how did they know?

5. How many people made you smile today?
My wife when she made a fantastic dinner. My brother when he wanted to play Duke Nukem and some Halo with me. Chachi when he suggested a really thought provoking movie to watch. It was a bit of a happy day, actually...

Who Else is Friday 5-ing? (You know you want to join us…)

*As always, the Friday 5 questions were taken from Friday5.org. If you join the fun, be sure to let me know so I can add you to the link list! And don’t forget to send those questions in that you’re itching for us to answer! Don’t worry, we’ll gladly pimp your blog for the effort.(from www.friday5.org

WTF Was I Thinking Video: First CRAP Performance

So, tonight will mark the first show that the entire trio of Really Pale Gangsters will be doing a show together under the new name. I've done with with just Chachi. We did a joint set when we were still parts of Nerdz Eatin Shroomz and CRAP. But this is the first time myself, Chachi/8-bit, and emcee lb/Will, will be joined under the name. So I thought it was a good time to go back and revisit the start. Some three years ago. September of 2005.

• This was our first performance as CRAP
• We wrote this song early in the week, and pieced it together that Sunday. Took a week to learn.
• Introduced by some old friends, who were in the group Twisted Thoughts at the time.
  
• Our recorded debut was on their first, and only, album.
• I'm fairly certain that the lip sync is way off. I didn't have the best of video facilities then.
  
• I don't feel good that almost 1300 people have viewed this video...
• I think we went on to do over 30 shows since then
• CRAP begot: the Stoke Monkey, toilet paper throwing, CRAP TV, CRAPCast, an album, two DVDs, and a lot of good memories.....
• Check out the rest of what we've done at www.monkeyflingspoo.com.
  

I Remember Tech TV

I remember getting the satellite and having more than three channels when I was 16
I remember the CNet TV shows on Sci Fi Sunday afternoons
I remember an early Ryan Secrest show about tech
I remember upgrading when DirecTV bought Primestar
I remember getting ZDTV with that upgrade
I remember that giving way, shortly after, to Tech TV
I remember this fueling my tech hunger
I remember something called the Screen Savers that was the cornerstone.
I remember spilling powdered donut and Dr. Pepper on an open, spinning hard drive
I remember John C Dvorak doing a tech panel show
I remember Martin Sergent doing something of a talk show at night
I remember Extended Play becoming Xplay (and awesome)
I remember digging on Morgan Webb since the Screen Savers
I remember shedding a tear when they were merged (and killed off) by G4

So glad it wasn't the last I'd seen of it.

It's Your Turn

Missfit has gotten it into her head to create something more for me to do for the day. So, in an effort to help her out, I figured I'd give it a shot.

"If for no other reason than to have a post for the day, I have decided to begin a flow of the mind sort of experiment. Below are 10 words. I would like you to take these 10 words and write the first word that comes to mind which you associate with the words. Post it up on your own blog and ask your readers to do the same. Please make sure to link back so that we can all see the progression."

1. Express
2. Time
3. Hero
4. Old
5. Cheese
6. Dirty
7. Sea Quest
8. Mother-in-Law
9. Phone
10. Mountain Dew

To see the list of words that Missfit posted, check out her list here. These are the first words that came to my mind when I was reading her list.

Let me know what my words (or Missfit's words) make you think of.

A World Without @PittGirl

This has been one of those weeks. I think Will put it best in the picture provided. It seems that with the Twitter and Plurk streams, you can feel the collective groans as we all struggle with our own jobs and frustrations that life hands us. And I'm not talking the typical "complaining twitters" that scatter through the twitterverse.

Today, that continued, but with a catalyst. As we all meandered into work this morning, feeling the aches and pains of what we deal with; whatever effect the economy has had on our jobs, new traffic patterns thank to the yearly "First Snow Freak Out" But as the morning carried on, it became aparent that something was wrong. First a random, and almost rare, tweet by Pittgirl herself. Then reactions. Then finally, catching on and reading what happened. Then, the collective reaction of the "I am PittGirl" posts. Everyone had a chance to toss out that they thought her now gone blog was something of meaning. It was a representation of what our town was about. It encompassed something that really helped to characterize the area. It wasn't alone in this, and hopefully these won't be the last with initiatives just making waves.

The blog provided entertainment. It provided incite in the world around us, locally. It was inspiring.

Aside from that, the Pens lost tonight. Even they were too saddened to play.

Goodnight @PittGirl. Whereever you are...

Wrestling Mayhem Show 143: Chachi Says

This week, one of the show's forefathers, Chachi of his own Chachi Says fame, and RPG home boy, joins us on the couch to talk TNA, WWE, IWC, and a little slice of Chachi's life.



This is Episode 143 for Tuesday, November 181, 2008. You can get the episode here on Talkshoe, subscribe, and as always, stay tuned to http://www.wrestlingmayhemshow.com/ for the latest! The Wrestling Mayhem Show is recorded live and can be heard/viewed from 8 PM to 10 PM Eastern on Talkshoe.com and BlogTV.com. Let us know what you think of the show, and your thoughts on the wrestling world by emailing us at goodtimes@wrestlingmayhemshow.com!

Opportunity for Bloggers: Hip Hop Buffet

Hey guys. I've been talking with DaButtonPusha about her ongoing Hip Hop Buffet Series. I did a stint on her local cable access show, The Ripple Effect, and love what she's doing for the local hip hop scene. After seeing how the bloggers took to Liquid Sunday, I proposed to her that we see if any bloggers would like to attend the show and help spread the word.

I attended one of these shortly after our appearance on the show, and it was a great collection of artists from the area, and other cities. If you're looking for what this town has to offer, this is one of the best showcases I know of.

If you are interested, and would like to get on the list, you can get a hold of DaButtonPusha at the JPB, Inc Myspace page, or call her at 412-404-2394. Let her know what your site is and how you hope to cover it (blogging, video, audio, etc).

HIPHOP BUFFET SERIES SEASON 3 FINALE

Next Big Thing

So last night, the once youngest WWE Heavyweight Champion, Brock Lesner, became the UFC Heavyweight champion.

I, for one, am excited. I liked Brok in his WWE days, and knew of his background as an NCAA champion.

Big thanks to Sick Puppy, Justin, LB, and Mindbling. I needed to get smashed.

Tomorrow, I return to writing something relevant.

mobile. Blog

it's Saturday.

I'm riding in the back with Djlunchbox and Mindbling rocking our way to see some UFC.

Full report later.


blog.

accomplished.

friday5: Backup Options

1. When did you last use the edge of a coin (or a knife blade) as a screwdriver?
Everytime I need one...

2. When did you last use a wire coat-hanger to break into a car?
Couldn't recall. But I still use one for the pop screen on the studio mic...

3. When did you last use food or drink as medication?
Last time I felt a sore throat's scratchy beginning and chugged a half gallon of Orange Juice and took a a Vitamin C tab.

4. When did you last use your cellular telephone as a flashlight?
Every time I want to go to bed after Missy and not kill myself tripping on things...or the dog...

5. When did you last use a paper clip for any purpose other than to clip paper?
To open a CD Drive.

Who Else is Friday 5-ing? (You know you want to join us…)

*As always, the Friday 5 questions were taken from Friday5.org. If you join the fun, be sure to let me know so I can add you to the link list! And don’t forget to send those questions in that you’re itching for us to answer! Don’t worry, we’ll gladly pimp your blog for the effort.(from www.friday5.org

WTF Was I Thinking Video: Macho Stoke Dance

I decided to pull out one of the most surreal moments from the Wrestling Mayhem Show for this week's entry. Partly from a conversation tonight where I realized we were approaching the three year mark for the show. Partly because I enjoy dancing monkeys.

• It's great to see a time when these political advesaries were getting along so well. I'm so glad this whole election thing is over.
• Every monkey is kung fu fighting
• Man, I'm so glad we moved the studio. That space was cramped.
  
• I often feared the full room would crash through to the living room below. I guess it did it on it's own one time...

I Remember Mountain Dew

I remember the teenage addiction to Mountain Dew
I remember when it wasn't "reimagined" to be cool and extreme
I remember passing the 2 liter amongst some friends driving down the road
I remember being a big fan of "the cube"
I remember this video we made via our love of Dew and parodies
I remember we got an A on it for Media class
I remember when caffeinated beverages weren't needed to get me through the day
I remember when they would actually give me some energy
I remember when there was only one flavor
I remember ditching it for Moon Mist....

2 shows coming up on November 21!

There are two huge shows going down Friday, November 21 in the Steel City featuring our new side group, Really Pale Gangsters featuring 8-bit(Chachi) of Nerdz Eatin Shroomz and emcee lb(DJlunchbox) and myself of CRAP!

And, Really Pale Gangsters will be heading over to a second show that same night for the 21+ crowd:

Wrestling Mayhem Show 142: Mindbling

This week, the Mayhem Crew is joined by Mindbling and her "Cousin", and vicariously, her son in the chatroom. We get back to basics and cover all of the action on WWE, TNA, IWC, and take some calls. Kendo sticks get a new name, Remedy cried last weekend, and we didn't even get to the dance party...

This is Episode 142 for Tuesday, November 11, 2008. You can get the episode here on Talkshoe, subscribe, and as always, stay tuned to http://www.wrestlingmayhemshow.com/ for the latest! The Wrestling Mayhem Show is recorded live and can be heard/viewed from 8 PM to 10 PM Eastern on Talkshoe.com and BlogTV.com. Let us know what you think of the show, and your thoughts on the wrestling world by emailing us at goodtimes@wrestlingmayhemshow.com!

Pittsburgh Filmmaking

It's nice to see Pittsburgh nice in the movies.

This weekend, I had the chance to see two Pittsburgh bred movies, Kevin Smith's Zack & Miri Make a Porno, and George Romero's low budget Diary of the Dead.

Zack & Miri I saw Friday night with my brother, of Silent fame, out at the Carmike in South Hills. I hate the Carmike in South Hills. But alas when you don't have your single car for the couple, and there's only one theater on your train route. But that's another blog post.

I sort of forgot about how Pittsburgh the movie might be. I was aware of the Monroeville Zombies jerseys from WAY back when the movie was filming. But, for some reason, I found myself sitting through the overbearing commercials and previews thinking whether this was going to be visibly a Pittsburgh movie. Dogma was shot around here (around my house, interestingly) but not set in Pittsburgh. Stigmata was set in Pittsburgh, but was much too flat of a landscape to be considered to be our fair, lumpy city. Long gone were the days of the , Inspector Gadgets, and, dare I say, Striking Distance, that showcased our city? Even Queer as Folk had to "fake" being set here.

So it's nice to see to see Kevin Smith doing a film about one of our particular suburbs.

A few years ago, Land of the Dead hit the theaters. The first not filmed in the local area. Though it was filmed in Canada, there were some, well, obvious relations to Pittsburgh, naming every local location by the city itself, from what I recalled. Diary of the Dead was a little less Pittsburgh-esque, More of an homage to the city Romero filmed almost all of his Zombie flicks in, by having several students claiming PITT as their school of origin, and even coming across a zombie fighting Amish man in the woods on the way to Scranton. Is it a coincidence, though, that this zombie flick making a statement about the world changing online access in a crisis stems out from the city with so much New Media presence happening?

So hopefully this is the beginning of a new string of Pittsburgh-showcasing movies, after a bit of a drought. I don't know if it's the same demographic that a VisitPittsburgh was looking for, but fans of zombies and stoner humor are sure to love this town after these flicks.