Hero HQ

MORALE

2012-01-24T23:59:00.000-08:00

Why the land of Modern TV needs a 'Waltons'.

There is so much I’d like to pour out in digital text, but my critically ill and constantly freezing computer won’t allow this. I optimistically look at this as ramble control.

Our family subscription to Sky TV took an economic downsizing last year as we decided to cut out the many movie channels we don’t watch. Regardless, a few of those channels survived the omission and one of them was TEM (True Entertainment Movies).

The best thing about the line-up on TEM is a daily double bill slot of The Waltons. This is a show I had not watched in years so I caught up with the happenings on Walton’s Mountain.

Here’s the relevant stuff:

For those who don’t remember or were born beyond its broadcast time, The Waltons was about a community in rural Virginia pulling together during The Great Depression and World War II with a main focus on The Waltons family. The show lasted a milestone of 9 seasons and spawned 7 TV movies.

So, what was so great about the Walton family themselves?

The Waltons were a large unit consisting of Two Grandparents, Two matriarch/patriarch parents, a lot of kids and a ‘dawg’; and despite that line-up being the recipe for an all out personality clash they were household of work-ethic, unity, respect, faith and good boundaries. The Waltons looked out for one another, prayed for one another and like most families got on each others nerves from time to time. Like everyone else they had problems, but dealt with problems head on. You’d never see any of today’s TV families with the un-whiny optimistic outlook the Waltons had and they got through a very tough-era of history.

The cultural impact of this show and the characters still echoes across time. The Waltons are still reflected on today as the near-perfect family unit and even 20 years on President George Bush’s speech is fondly remembered.

“We’re going to keep trying to strengthen the American family. To make them more like the Waltons and less like the Simpsons.”

This comment shows further the recognition of how influential the show had been. As fictional a family The Waltons may be, there are a lot of pages from their book that can reflect well on the real families of today.

Today’s TV shows and especially the soaps only show the negative and ailing side of what a family unit should be. It gives the impression that there is a contest between shows (be it soaps, dramas or animation) of who can project the most obnoxious and pessimistic family out there. I say there needs to be some balance for a change..

I say that Today’s TV needs a ‘Waltons’ again in some form or another to show belief that strong families (because they do exist!) built on good values have a place - no matter the era. And, when the only near-good modern family unit that comes to mind consists of an anthropomorphic rat and his mutated turtle sons I wonder if there’s another show I’ve missed...

The constant moral decline of the TV family (as seen in soaps like Coronation Street and Eastenders) is an indication that maybe the tube is best left turned off. If there is nothing wholesome to ‘escape’ into, why try to escape to start with? There are better things that don’t rely on a screen to 'escape' into.

The Waltons managed without a TV after all.

SOPA

2012-01-18T10:48:00.000-08:00

To humor all of you supporting, protesting, debating SOPA/PIPA right now...

TRUTH

2012-01-11T13:34:00.000-08:00

Youtube really needs more content like this.

SQUADRON

2012-01-02T00:11:00.000-08:00

Go forth and do good deeds...

Old Jesus artwork I did a few years back. I call this Christ Squadron. Inspired loosely on air-raid posters from WW2.

KIWI

2011-12-31T07:54:00.000-08:00

Forgot to mention that this year (almost gone) marks the 30th anniversary of this Christmas classic!

The Monsters Christmas (1981)

Watch and enjoy.

EGGNOG

2011-12-18T20:56:00.000-08:00

For the first time ever yesterday I made and tried Eggnog!

I have seen and heard this festive tipple name-dropped and product placed in numerous American specials and movies so much I wanted to try this. This year I finally got round to making my own batch up. Bear in mind I've not had any basis for comparison.

Here is what I followed:
Easy Eggnog Recipe: Ingredients - 6 eggs, 3 cups milk (a Pint) 8 tablespoons sugar, 3 teaspoon vanilla essence, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg.

Easy Eggnog Recipe Directions In a large bowl, beat the eggs using an electric beater (if available). By turn, add milk & sugar. Continue beating until mixture thickens slightly. Add in the vanilla essence & ground nutmeg. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled (at least 3 hours).

WORKSHOP

2011-12-09T23:25:00.000-08:00

A little gem of a cartoon featuring the antics of Santa and co getting ready for Christmas Eve.

Good old-fashioned festive fun.

TAT

2011-12-08T23:04:00.000-08:00

Been blogging regularly on Figured Out with reports on various items of Christmas tat.

The first 3 are:

Playmobil Santa & Pals
Jolly St Nick is here in Playmobil form, but he's appeared to have shed a few pounds! An imposter maybe? A rubbery-nosed Snowman and other pals have also joined in the venture.

Charlie Brown and Snoopy Blocks
Its the 60th anniversary of Peanuts with Charlie Brown and buds on display in Christmas clobber.

Hero Turtles Christmas Tree Ornaments
At one stage the Ninja Turtles received some censoring before hitting the UK shores. This article covers an amazing find of some Turtles merchandise from that era. Marvel the awesome foursome as they are dumbed down to look as cute and cuddly as possible for the holiday season.

SOFT

2011-12-03T16:47:00.000-08:00

These are for Blaise's room display when I get that up together.

The Piglet plush is the only one that is customised (previously a Happy Meal Toy). He's also wearing one of the promotional Innocent Smoothie beanie hats.

Eeyore and Pooh are officially Christmas edition toys acquired from my sister.

BROS

2011-12-03T16:29:00.000-08:00

Finally got to show these off today. Mario Christmas plushies. Both are very hard to get hold of, so they are in indeed a fantastic and triumphant acquisition.

ONWARD

2011-11-03T15:24:00.000-07:00

Just a short blog entry to say that I'm still ALIVE and back in business!

Thanks to those who have supported me over the months and helped/listened to me when I needed it. Got some great buds out there and it shows.

No Thanks to the haters out there going out their way to block me on Facebook etc and then having the cheek to still troll me here. Exercise your hypocrisy elsewhere, I say.

I am going to continue doing great times for/with great people. Got loads of fun and exciting stuff ahead and really looking forward to all of that.

Right now, the only way is up, Up, UP!!!!!

MIRACLE

2011-10-26T04:28:00.000-07:00

Classic Blogs Revisited: 1/6

A couple of days ago I had started to unpack the nativity set in my living room and was thinking about another Christmas season of using the broken one armed Jesus ornament as the centrepiece.

As I was unwrapping the individual figurines (I bubblewrap my nativity stuff) I unwrapped what I thought was just one of the smaller models, maybe one of the sheep but it wasn’t.

There it was, a brand new unbroken baby Jesus!

For the last couple of Christmases I have griped about how stores don’t sell individual nativity pieces (and nobody on ebay seems to either) and asked around everywhere to get a replacement. No such joy, until this recent comeuppance.

I won’t question how this mystery replacement model found its way into a sealed up cardboard stable and twisted itself in bubblewrap at the bottom of a large decorations box…

Fact is, if I actually bought a replacement Jesus or had one given to me I would have remembered something like that. There also is no way anyone would have gone to so much trouble to plant this on me either considering how I store my decorations very tightly.

To me, this is an unexpected Christmas blessing and miracle. I feel this is certainly a small happy event I have to share with all I know.

God has a great and generous sense of humour

Original Posting: December 21 2008

MACRA

2011-10-11T05:39:00.000-07:00

TENNANT

2011-10-08T15:40:00.000-07:00

Just got this newspiece regarding Nativity 2, also confirmed by Doctor Who Magazine. Things are moving ahead for a very anticipated sequel to one of the best Christmas films of all time.

Today DavidTennant.com confirms David for NATIVITY! 2:

"Nativity 2
A few months back we reported on the possibility of David appearing in Nativity 2 for BBC Films. Well we can now confirm that David's next film project will be Nativity 2. Ian McNiece will play his character's father and filming is due to begin next week, although it's not known when David will be starting on set.

Thanks to Cassandra."

source: visit David Tennant site

DIAMOND

2011-09-02T00:19:00.000-07:00

Against the grain, I have started my own ministry. Something I was called to start a while ago when a guy called Steve Hobby spoke prophecy over me. It is aimed at those who have either felt undervalued, ridiculed or held back in life.

At this present time, the venture is nothing more than just a homebrew cyber ministry, but if what I produce in the early stages has any effect I know it can build into something bigger.

Remember. There is a Rough Diamond in all of us.

TIMELORD

2011-08-31T02:27:00.000-07:00

Been having fun with the DLSR camera and my collection of Doctor regenerations.

BELT

2011-08-30T05:16:00.000-07:00

These were taken in 2005 - a couple of days after I first co-won the tag championship of the indy promotion I used to wrestle in.

Sure, the belt I am holding is a solid-replica (not toy) of a WWE tag title (with added stickers on), but the accolade of being a tag-champ all the same. Those were selective fun times I care to remember.

CONSTABLE

2011-08-24T16:16:00.000-07:00

One of my all-time favourite paintings is the Hay Wain (1821) by John Constable.

I grew up with a large replica hanging above the family fireplace – a replica which I used to study often as I got taller to look at it. The painting (which as I write is my current desktop wallpaper) has aged well over the last 190 years, and to this day I still admire its depth and detailed depiction of the Suffolk landscape.

BARBARA

2011-08-08T17:13:00.000-07:00

Barbara (Nee Lincoln) Morgan 1923-2011

Rest happy, Barbara.

I can just imagine you playing Scrabble with Jesus.

Will see you again someday.

COMMITMENT

2011-08-07T13:52:00.000-07:00

August 4th 1998 was a day I'll never forget. The day I got a brand new bible bought for me by American evangelist Arron Jayne. The book itself has seen many signings, traveled with me and has a Mario Bros Spiney graphic molded onto the back.

I've since purchased a newer bible as of last week, but this copy still has pride of place at home and away.

SWING

2011-07-29T08:15:00.000-07:00

Blaise at the park.

CLEAN

2011-07-22T11:25:00.000-07:00

I’ve been asked on numerous occasions what I thought of the third Transformers movie (Dark of the Moon) after I went to go watch it a fortnight ago.

For me, it was the crushing blow. The Michael Bay interpretation of Transformers has given me a headache I will never forget. Dark of the Moon (2011) was an impressive, yet busy ‘more than meets the eye’ fighting robot experience; but once again full of irrelevant and random silliness that was an unwelcome ingredient of the previous two films. And that was just the start.

To its credit, the Bay Trilogy has made Hasbro a lot of money and delivered commercial success again to the Transformers brand. The Bay Trilogy had also imagined skilfully what Transformers might look like if they were real beyond fiction. The ‘ugly’ designs actually grew on me a bit. However, the bad really outweighs the good in the case of this movie trio.

This structured portrayal of Transformers is so wrong on many accounts. In a nutshell; the attitude, characters, storylines and general execution are all just done badly. What I feel should have been a family series of films has turned out to be something unnecessarily smutty, sinister, air-headed and masochistic. Since when was the heroic Optimus Prime a merciless cold-blooded killer?

I feel that many have accepted this version of Transformers because it is simply there and there is no silver screen alternative (yet). In short, I think many have just ‘made do’ and made the best of what has been offered. Beggars can’t be choosers, right?

I cannot endorse this version of Transformers, especially to children. These films are easily 15+ affairs, but the merchandise based on it is aimed at a younger market. It makes me wonder what the suits were thinking in regards to target audience. The trilogy feels like a big mess, and I am not just talking from a moral standpoint. It certainly feels like a lot of wrong choices were made in the process.

I am certainly done with this era of 'tainted' Transformers history. Here is hoping the Bayverse is a stepping stone into something better. I gave the 3 films a chance, but I feel now is the time to dismiss them. I am sure there are fans of this Transformers medium and everyone in the fandom likes what they like (and are entitled to), but I won’t own the DVDs or view any future features if they continue in its direction. I am happily washed of it all.

Hasbro and Paramount seriously should consider a clean slate. No pun intended.

Now, Transformers: Prime! A medium with so many praises to be sung from a long term changing bot fan such as me. Stay tuned readers!

TED

2011-07-18T15:38:00.000-07:00

Aside from a load of retro Doctor Who stuff and Clone Wars s2, I've been enjoying a fair bit of Father Ted as of late.

It has been a fair few years since I've indulged in the 90's antics of Craggy Islands most obscure Catholic priest and his colleagues. Probably not since the days of the shows original airing on Channel 4, in fact. Glad to reminisce and catch up on the good and sometimes bad times of this hilariously fun sitcom.

SIZE

2011-07-16T17:41:00.000-07:00

So here we have it. Courtesy of Christianbooks.com is the acquisition of the century!

Bible Character Action figs. David & Goliath, oddly out of scale to one another. Pretty cool though. Looks like a wrestling toyline in disguise.

I've taken more photos since this one with a few comparisons for an upcoming Figured Out entry.

GARDEN

2011-07-15T08:33:00.000-07:00

Blaise had a great time today in the garden with Grandma and Grandad who came by for a visit.

She likes to sit on the grass and sometimes makes an attempt to eat it.

TALEBEARER

2011-07-13T14:03:00.000-07:00

This blog entry is a special shout-out to the local cyber-Gestapo in the adage of what Americans like to call – “The First Amendment”.

It has saddened me to hear that there are local trawlers who take the time to search for stuff online so they can report it. My personal blog is one of the targeted sites for their ‘Thought Policing’.

People are actually exercising free-speech on the internet? Not allowed it would seem.

My intention in this entry is to enlighten these ‘tell-tales’ so they know their actions are well and truly sad. Those of you outside of all this; do join me for the ride and maybe for a good chuckle.

The Bible say’s a lot in regard to ‘Gossiping’ and in this case the current ‘Gossip Culture’ victimization my blog has been under fire from. I feel bad that our pastor has to endure mass irrelevant whining about websites that these complainers choose to surf in on. It’s like deliberately looking for trouble.

The biblical term for these people – Talebearers! Even before the days of the internet; ‘gossip culture’ has been stirring up problems, because some people had nothing better to do.

In Leviticus, the creator commands: “Do not go about spreading slander [or being a tale-bearer] among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbour's life. I am the Lord.” (Lev. 19:16 NIV)

Secondly, “Where there is no talebearer, strife ceases”. (Prov.26:20b). Gossip is basically better off being non-existent. I could endure this entry with several reasons why people gossip, but that would be a Tolstoy length chapter and wouldn’t transition to blog form very well….

In conclusion:
The good book commands that if someone has a problem with another that they confront the individual, as stated in I Corinthians (5:11,12 NIV). I don’t know the identities of my voyeuristic trawlers, but I know of them and therefore believe it is down to them to stop with the cloak & dagger act and get it sorted.

I am flattered that a lot of people find my blog interesting and take the time to read it - especially those generally enjoying the content. I think the people who have been complaining about here have no business surfing on in to start with.

In light of this, I request that the gossip-brigade should goosestep in another direction and simply Go Away. I also request that those who support myself and this blog to express it more as I really do value the vote of confidence. Thankyou for reading.

STEPPING

2011-07-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Blaise is really keen to invade Cat City. Marvel at my daughter in action as the scaredy cats look on.

===KEN

OMEDETOU

2011-07-08T12:32:00.000-07:00

The above title is Japanese for 'Birthday'.

I have one coming up this weekend. I've already had an early present from my parents in the form of an art set. I got some pretty awesome pens, and for the first time in months I will dust off the old art pad from its last usage in 2009 and get scribbling.

Special mention to; Sam Purnell whose birthday was yesterday, wrestling pal Petherwick whose is today, my cats Zip & Star whose joint birthday is tomorrow and my bud Bassey whose birthday is the day after mine (11th). Phew! July birthdays rock!

RIGHTEOUS

2011-07-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

The wealth of this world will never satisfy, and the ways of wickedness will not profit you anything. But the righteous will never go hungry and will have an heavenly inheritance to look forward to. - Proverbs 10:2-3

BODYSLAM

2011-07-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

I’ve been having a bit of a blast on WWE All-Stars recently.

The game is a recent Fathers Day gift, so I could have something play on the X-Box besides Duodecad and Lips.

I like how this game presents an exaggerated approach to wrestling with an arcade attitude and over the top looking wrestlers. I’m won over at being able to play as old favourites like Hulk Hogan, Jake the Snake Roberts and The Ultimate Warrior again in a video game and pitting them against the stars of today in glorious fantasy warfare!

Great fun!

WHO

2011-07-04T15:21:00.000-07:00

Who's YOUR Doctor Who?

I've watched Doctor Who material featuring all 11 regenerations. From Hartnell to Smith, Doctor Who is a show I enjoy whoever is driving the TARDIS.

If I had to pick a favourite, the 4th Doctor (Tom Baker) would easily be that choice.

Why: The 4th Doctor has been visually the longest serving on the show and in my view cemented as the most iconic of the bunch. This Doctor also been accompanied by some of the most memorable travelling companions. Like with the other Doctors the dress sense only this time featuring a long overcoat and a stupendously long scarf.

Highlighted adventures/moments include: Genesis of the Daleks, The Key to Time saga, Brain of Morbius and Robot.

Fancy a Jelly Baby? :D

OOZE

2011-06-17T12:08:00.001-07:00

The camaraderie of four brothers starts here...

Looking forward to the 2012 TMNT tv show. Just had to get this project finished after hearing about the voicecast lineup.

REUNION

2011-06-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought Extreme Posse Wrestling was packed away in the props cupboard for good…

EPW is coming back! But, this reunion will be in the form of a Documentary featuring all involved reflecting on the active tenure of the promotion.

For those who missed it, EPW was a web-based ‘backyard’ wrestling promotion shot primarily in the town of Keynsham during the early 00s. People around the world downloaded our shows from the website and viewed the antics of Da Robb, Corporate Ken, Gurl and a whole host of other grapplers from a unique palette. The show had a nice cheerful fanbase, and it even sold a few t-shirts too. Go us!

Sure, backyard wrestling has had a lot of bad press; and on paper EPW was that, but so much different than the stereotyped ‘norm’ of teenage headbanger kids in garbage fights. EPW was a spectacle in its own right and so much fun, hence why the band behind the show is getting back together.

I am proud to have been a big part of it all!

I can certainly say; this EPW venture won’t be a ‘wrestling’ show in any way, but something rather special in that we have all positively grown up as people over the years. We will be approaching the canvas differently and putting together something that will bring a nostalgic tear to those who previously followed the shows and hopefully new interest to anyone who didn’t.

Tonight, I shall be looking back through that props cupboard to dust off the gear. This is going to be really enjoyable…

DONE

2011-06-09T05:57:00.001-07:00

After 12 years of working with kids in either a voluntary or professional capacity, I’ve decided to call it quits… Something I hardly ever do with anything.

This in my view is not meant to be an emo-driven rant, but more intentionally an elaborate explanation of a recent Facebook status. I certainly won’t give any planted ‘Ken-Haters’ the satisfaction in thinking that I’ve ‘tapped out’ purely because of them. (You know who you are!)

In my own strength, I have given this up and have left this to God to deal with. If I am meant to be helping kids (and big kids) again, the man upstairs will surely present me the opportunity again to come forward and return.

I have not given up just to be left to pasture. I have not lost everything either, for right now I am raising a daughter in my occupational slot; and to me being a parent is the best medium of youth work going. That is an amazing gain!

I may even be back helping in schools and churches, but for now I am doing an important life-role of the highest honour.

What next?

A winning lottery ticket would be nice..

NUMPTY

2011-06-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

Lo and behold, a peice of television history that embodies bad parenting and being a total numpty. A sub-story of bottom-lip-biting dimwittery amongst the heroics of a passing through Canadian canine.

The 'Smoke' episode of The Littlest Hobo.

Towards the end of the first clip you see the little boy eat some poisoned meat off the floor outside of a hunting store. Of course the little boy (around 3) is there because he was left outside (alone) after his dad told him to wait outside.

The second part shows the owner of the store take all the heat for what has happened, and the boys father feeling no remorse for leaving his toddler son unsupervised like it was normal to do.

Sure, the store owner has enough guilt of his own for being cruel to animals; but why should he take the flak for someone elses stupid parenting decision? This is bad writing, surely.

BTW. Enjoy The Littlest Hobo. I do love this show! The guest protagonist is recognisable from appearances in The A-Team.

SHIRT

2011-05-18T11:48:00.001-07:00

I recently got a great deal on this limited edition Voltron-Tron (VolTron) crossover tee from the site Nowherebad.

I like it that sites such as this and teefury.com are cropping up and giving artists some recognition without pushing the copyright boundaries too far.

I’ve been watching these artist t-shirt sites for a while and although I can’t buy everything I like before it goes away forever (these shirts are very ltd edition after all) I can have the odd one or two that wow me, not simply for consumption – but to also support the artist. Given the sales last for 24-48 hours these could be consider rare-collector clothes. I like the exclusivity of it, not to mention how creative some of these shirt designs are, not just to avoid a lawsuit, but to also impress.

You can check out the artist’s site for VolTron at http://www.jo3bot.com/. He’s got some other great work that may or may not end up on fabric. Great imagery all the same!

SUPERMAN

2011-05-15T13:42:00.001-07:00

The 10 year journey of Smallville has been done and dusted…

I felt the finale went rather well. Characters were tied up (although I would have liked to have seen a bit more closure on them), settings were made and it was all epic throughout. I have always admired how this show attempts at pushing the boundaries of budget and tech limitations to bring forth what I think are some great stories. Having watched a lot of the DVD extras and ‘behind the scenes’, as well as reading blogs and interviews from the team of this show - I got a really good impression of the hard work, dedication and ambition that went into this production. I sure hope the Smallville team have no trouble finding work after the wrap up.

I have read mixed reactions online in regards to Tom Welling finally suiting up or vaguely suiting up as the Man of Steel.

Sure, we got to see Superman and at only a fair distance… But I think of it from an “Is it a Bird, Is it a plane” onlooker perspective (as most would see Superman). That in my opinion is how Superman would be and should seen. Superman isn’t a poser like Booster Gold (who was previously portrayed a couple of episodes prior to the finale) and isn’t going to stick around for photographs or be studied. It is just as well, considering Superman has the most unflattering hero costume around next to He-Man.

Fans already know what the Superman costume looks like, so there would have been no surprise factor, and the many fan-made photoshops of Tom Welling in the red and blue which have cropped up over the years already gave an insight to what he would have looked like.

I clued in that the producers of Smallville were going to hold back on how much of Superman they were going to expose. After all the unveiled costume at the start of season 10 only showed the shield and cape half covered in a crystal closet inside the Fortress of Solitude. I say that was a good move.

I think what mattered most was that the finale setup who Clark Kent now is, who Lex Luthor is and the busy crime-filled Metropolis setting most of the action takes place in.

I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a TV as much as Smallville. I’d say, The A Team comes in at a close second which ran of half as long.

Smallville is a show I grew up with and will happily reflect on. It is rare to have a TV series last for a decade and boast a consistency of the same actor and support cast. I hope that something just as good can crop up again. There is so much potential for a spin-off with either Conner Kent or the Green Arrow that could fill the void left behind.

Now that the journey has ended, the wife and I will still look back on this show (since we already own the first 9 DVD boxsets) and look back on favourite episodes. It’s been a fun TV show experience to say the least.

Goodbye Smallville, but not Goodbye forever.

STATUS

2011-05-11T23:26:00.000-07:00

After some self assessing today, I’ve wondered whether how far on the status ladder I’ve slid down or rung climbed,

Very recently I finished University which in turn I have found myself in a new role as a stay at home dad. I get to look after my daughter almost every day whilst mommy goes out and makes the big bucks. I change nappies, make milk (the SMA variety), and entertain all day.

It seems like People all around me are getting jobs – (good paid jobs at that), learning to drive (which I should have done half my life ago) and serving the community. Fair play! I just want a slice of that action.

I guess I am kind of reeling in that someone recently had the gull to call me a ‘Stay at Home Loser’ and for what its worth that label hit where it hurts. I KNOW that I am NOT a Loser, but there have been times where I have felt a bit like that.

My lot right now is simple and I am happy with it. I have a beautiful baby girl to work and play with all day. I am in a position some fathers probably aren’t. I get to bond with my daughter and that’s a great thing! Some might assume that I scoff cakes and watch kids TV all day, but it is very far from the truth.

I think what hurts is that I egotistically know how much gold I can pave through my cultural capital and it has not fully happened yet.

I have played my life out in a unique order. The car, the cash, the status should all come in good time. And to be honest, I happily count the blessings I have. Sometimes when I see what others have I take those blessings for granted. I should not! What I have is great!

Stay at Home Loser? Hardy!

White-Hot free agent as far as employment or community work goes - That's more accurate!

I am Ken Flatt: Stay at home Dad, Defender of the Universe, one of Keynsham’s most unique characters and someday a big-time career man.

TWITTER

2011-04-05T15:40:00.000-07:00

Today I joined Twitter. You can Tweet with me here. Can't say I will use it often, but I will have a presence on there. Looks like fun.

I consider this another string to my bow, since I am on Livejournal, Facebook and other things.

PUNISHER

2011-03-18T06:44:00.000-07:00

Bullying is an ongoing problem that has mainly scourged schools since the dawn of time.

School-based bullying is easily the most recognised form of institutional torment and I am guessing because it is an environment that involves lots of kids.

So recently, I witnessed an amazing form of justice in the form of the much talked about “Bully Hits Concrete” 40+ second video that has been doing the rounds online and constantly yanked from Youtube.

I feel compelled as a former bully-victim and someone that has lived similar experiences to that in the video to put in my two pence and views.

The kid whose name is on everybody’s lips right now - Casey Heynes (aka Casey The Punisher) a portly Australian 10th Grader was subject to the scenario of perpetual and physical taunting from a younger boy at his school until he retaliated.

Richard Gale who was possibly acting as a toadie for someone else (kind of like Grover Dill from A Christmas Story) threw the first punch, darted around like a cartoon chiuaua and followed up the attack with a couple more lower jabs. An onlooker, possibly his friend is watching and filming the whole thing not knowing how things were going to swerve.

The attack was countered when the cornered Casey (who was up against the wall at this point) advanced forward, picked up his scuttling assailant and dropped him to the floor in what looked like a gutwrench powerbomb attempt. Anyone who watches wrestling will know the jargon I mean, but this feat of physical and defensive retaliation resulted in a mighty frontface pancake slam onto the concrete below.

The instigating Richard Gale managed to pick himself up, tried to hide being hurt and failed to do so miserably!

So what do you do when an annoying insect continues to buzz in your face?
You quite naturally swipe it away. In this case, the insect was an obnoxious 12 year old boy who bit off more than he could chew.

I was impressed!

Casey Heynes vs Bully by kleksiq

A horrid troll of a person had received his comeuppance and the tale was able to be told across the world. This leaked video had made Casey Heynes a hero and an inspiration overnight towards many who are and have been bullied.

I was further impressed that Casey walked away when he could have followed up what he already did.

Nobody should endure ongoing attacks. The way I see it is that it could have continued and got worse or come to the conclusion that ‘enough is ENOUGH’ and defend yourself back.

I am glad that Casey is being recognised as a cult hero. When I had my schoolyard incidents of self-defence I didn’t have youtube or the internet or cameras backing me up – It was all one-sided punishment from a short-sighted system telling me I was wrong. So in a way, it seems like an example of justice is long due. An antagonist hit the first punch followed by others and paid for it. It’s much like the mentality of tugging on Superman’s cape.

In light of the publicised attention of this incident in which many like it (including my own tales) have happened around the world, we have to wonder how both individuals and their families (as well as the uploader of the video who started all this) are going to move on.

Youtube may be ‘spoilsports’ for constantly taking the video down, but they do have to consider the content of violence between minors being made public through their service. At the end of the day, it’s their house and their rules. People will watch the video elsewhere regardless. I caught it on Facebook!

People online can also disagree with the decision to suspend Casey, but it also works in his best interest to stay away from school until things can eventually cool down. Anyone who has been suspended from school knows it basically acts as a glorified vacation. It may come to a point that either Casey himself or the other boy can't return to the school because of all the media attention. Something has to give so that all parties can move on without their lives becoming all about a viral video.

How that can happen is anybody’s guess.

WOLFPACK

2011-03-04T09:43:00.001-08:00

Came across this old photo of me 'in uniform' from my old cub scout days. I tidied up the composition and cleaned it up a little.

Dib Dib Dib! Dob Dob Dob!

Brentry 169th Bultler Pack 1986-88

AUDITION

2011-02-17T13:39:00.000-08:00

Here is one of the audition takes I did last year to appear on the Smallville episode 'Beacon'. Thanks to Jeph for helping me get this submitted stateside.

I recorded this (and other takes) at around 6 in the morning, just hours after my baby daughter was born and I was'nt allowed to stay at the hospital. I figured at the time I would'nt get another chance to do this, so I grabbed the camera and had an outlet.

This was great fun and I am glad I did it.

Congrats to those whose videos were featured.

SERVO

2011-02-15T16:05:00.000-08:00

On a random find in cyberspace I came across a collection of all 53 aired episodes of the Power Rangers alternative show – Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad.
On and off since I got it, I have been watching an episode here and there of this badly produced show (which is a western adaptation of Denkou Choujin Gridman).

For those who don’t know:
The show is about a high school band called Team Samurai and to cut a story short their ring leader Sam gets sucked into the digital world and somehow by accident he becomes a superhero named Servo.

On the flipside an emo-kid named Malcolm Frink also gets mixed up with the digital world and befriends an evil entity on his bedroom computer known as Kilokahn (voiced by Tim Curry). Malcolm is a downer on everyone, but is an excellent artist. It is through Malcolm’s artwork that virus monsters are drawn and scanned into the digital world and brought to life by Kilokahn. Servo/Sam does battle with these monsters Toku style.

Sam’s bandmates Syd (a techie girl), Tanker (a jock) and Amp (an oddball) also join in getting sucked into the digital world via attack vehicles to help do battle against the Virus monsters. Servo and the attack vehicles can combine together.

What I think:
This show by no means is a masterpiece. It is mainly set indoors and the digital world scenes are also equally claustrophobic. However, it has its cheesy 90’s charm about it that warrants a rainy day viewing. Shows a lot worse than this have churned out of the 1990s and SSSS is miles more watchable than any of them.

So far Superhuman Samurai Syber Squad has never seen the light of day on a DVD release and rumour has it 5 more episodes are yet to be seen (racking up the count to 58). However, somebody out there with patience, a VCR, and a capture card had recorded the show from start to finish making torrents and youtube streams do the rounds.

This show is worth a laugh, but I don’t recommend marathon viewing despite being likeable tat. Maybe one day that DVD release will happen after all.

BEACON

2011-02-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

Just before Christmas, The CW Network website opened up to Smallville fans to film and submit webcam testomonials in support of Superheroes and... The Red/Blue Blur.. This was for an upcoming episode called Beacon.

I took part in this and after 15 or so takes I had my final sent in (Thanks to Jephael for the help on that one).

I won't be getting my hopes up, but if I end up on the said Smallville episode even for a fraction of a second, it would make my year. I am already excited for the other people who entered and that Smallville is bigging up for a big finale.

I am really glad I gave it a go, and if my entry isn't used I will post it in full elsewhere online.

The Smallville episode Beacon will air this coming Friday February 11th.

TRAUMATIC

2011-02-02T23:33:00.000-08:00

This is not a parody

This show actually does exist.

CRYPTIC

2011-02-02T13:53:00.000-08:00

Shown on recent WWE programming. I say it's Sting!

We'll all find out on February 21st.

WASPINATOR

2011-01-31T10:39:00.001-08:00

I bought the Transformers: Animated version of Waspinator a while back when they were reported to be gold-dust on the UK toy shelves.

Since the rarity has dropped and Waspinators are reported to be cropping up again, I decided to free the nasty green insect from his packaging prison.

THUNDER

2011-01-27T15:53:00.000-08:00

After someone at the London Toyfair had 'forgotten to switch their camcorder off’ and leaked the blurry screengrabs online, the new Thundercats designs were seen for the first time.

Of course after that leakage Warner Bros had to then counter this with an official image of the feline favourites from the new 2011 animated series.

So here I am feeling a little compelled to write a little about the new Thundercats with my first impressions, opinions and expectations.

For a start, Lion-O, Cheetara, Tygra and Panthro are easily recognisable and the new designs retain most of distinguishing features of the 80’s version. What makes this new rendition stand out is the proportion of the group: Lion-O is less roided up and Panthro looks more stocky. Cheetara and Tygra are pretty much the same as before in terms of build. The Thundarians are a lot more clothed than before with covered leggings and solid body armour instead of leotards and ‘pants n vest’. A bit far flung from the original show which practically got away with nudity!

Whoever designed these may have drawn on the Final Fantasy VII game franchise for inspiration. Lion-O has possibly been traced from Cloud, whilst Panthro has maybe been carbon copied from Barratt - both who are characters of similar scale and build.

The art-style itself – a more traditional anime looks like something that would be seen in a Squaresoft role-playing game. Thundercats was always anime inspired and this is a good direction to go for.

I’m not too sure about Tygra being pictured with a gun, but its nice to see his bolo whip make a return. I do like the idea that he and Lion-O will be brothers in this series with an explanation during the first 3 episodes of the show. 80s alumni Larry Kenny who voiced Lion-O in the original show will return to voice Tygra and Lion-O’s father - Claudius.

The new Sword of Omens is easily recognisable, and the idea of it starting off as a dagger with it magically extending looks to be scrapped. Instead, this new Sword of Omens is a sword from the start with a transformable handle. The Claw Sheild, Nunchucks and Bo Staff and other popular trademark weapons are gladly making a return.

Despite the leak, only 4 characters and a distant image of Snarf on the Thundertank toy packaging have been unveiled. It would be interesting to find out how Mumm-Ra, Jackalman and other supporting cast creatures have turned out.

I for one am excited for this new series. A Thundercats revival has been long overdue and it could be fantastic, or like many other revivals a mockery of what has happened before. I am fuelled by curiosity (not good with cats) to see how this show and the accompanying toyline will turn out. It seems that with the prospect of upcoming figures and merchandise with the 80’s Thundercats also on offer there is a little something for the older fans and the newer fans to pick and choose.

The time to feel the magic and hear the roar is coming again…

MAGI

2011-01-05T10:44:00.000-08:00

Christmas: Day 12 of 12

Epithany is here! Here's to late gift giving, Santa's last stop and giving Christmas a proper send off!

GLADE

2011-01-01T03:50:00.000-08:00

If only Glade Air-Fresheners really had that effect!

SLATE

2011-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Goodbye 2010

A new clean slate on the calendar has begun...

PICNIC

2010-12-30T16:22:00.000-08:00

Christmas: Day 6 of 12

In light of the new Yogi Bear film coming out in the theatres I thought I’d revisit a Christmas special I often watched back in the 80’s.

Yogi’s First Christmas is about what the title says. That smarter than the average bear and his sidekick Boo Boo (and later his admirer Cindy) are woken from their winter hibernation and brought into an adventure also involving many of their Yogi’s Treasure Hunt co-stars.

As if missing a long power-nap was trouble enough, Yogi must avoid being caught by Ranger Smith, thwart Herman the Hermit from destroying Christmas fun, dodge Mistletoe kisses from Cindy Bear, and also convince Mrs Throckmorton not to sell up the Jellystone Holiday Lodge.

Part of the challenge for the bears is to stay awake during the holiday special and marks for some narcoleptic moments for Yogi and co.

Inadvertedly, Yogi manages to work his way up to hotel manager at the Jellystone Lodge saving the venue from closure much to the delight his fellow cartoon chums including Ranger Smith and grumpy ex-manager Mr Dingwell. Eventually Herman The Hermit and Snively (Mrs Throckmortons spoilt nephew) are also won over by the Christmas goodness and all is jolly in Jellystone.

As most Christmas specials go, this is cheesy, but is quite good and uplifting fun. Definitely worth a DVD purchase!

RINGS

2010-12-29T15:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas: Day 5 of 12

5 Gold Rings! One for each hand-digit or more for Sonic The Hedgehog's personal score...

Continuing more flashback stuff from Christmas days of the past:

1987 was great. Yet more new Transformers only this time round half of them were second hand figures my mum brought from a work colleague. An entire collection was ours between myself and my brother Michael. Of course, we had to have the bounty divided between us!

Our Transformers army had trebled in size on Christmas morning and the living room carpet was subject to a tremendous giant robot battle.

I also had a bunch of new TFs too including Blot, Strafe, Highbrow, and very unexpectedly.... SCORPONOK!!! This to me was the biggest surprise ever. Scorponok the giant baddie scorpion priced at around £35 was a bigger holy grail than Metroplex. I never even asked for him but I got him. This was totally amazing!

Michael also received a remote control KITT from Knight Rider. It was very cool. The odd thing was Helen who had started semi crawling and walking at the time would get very petrified of KITT every time Michael drove it around the living room carpet.

My sister Helen used to be The Godzilla of the living room she would treat the place like the streets of Tokyo and take anything toy wise she fancied (especially cars like Godzilla would). She seemed to like mine and Michael’s toys more than her own. We used to have to take one of her toys and swap them back which 50% of the time worked. The other 50% resulted in her screaming the place down and mum getting cross.

Michael and I often clashed over everything. We would have a corner of the living-room each to play in. Helen would have the biggest corner all to herself. This settled the many living room wars that went on between us over the years.
If I am not mistaken, The Pet Shop Boys were Christmas No 1 that year.

The years top film on TV was Ghostbusters which premiered Boxing Day on ITV with the cartoon show starting the following January. It was a hit! We watched Ghostbusters to death since we taped it!

FOURTH

2010-12-28T15:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas: Day 4 of 12

Calling Birds, Do they chat on their mobile phones a lot?

Anyways, I found an old Christmas memory from the old blog vault continuing from the 1986 flashback blogs, BURNT and SELECTION. Enjoy!

One thing I forgot to mention from 1986 and I cannot believe I forgot. This was the first year onwards that Michael and I were allowed to stay up till midnight for New Years. It was a cool new thing for us. This was probably the coolest new thing since being allowed to sit in the front seat of the car for the first time.

New Years was a cool new thing for us. It meant we were allowed to stay up and watch TV till midnight and after midnight after we made a huge racket in the street. We also watched Spitting Image that New Years Eve, even though mum banned us from watching it on Saturday nights. New Years Eve also marked New Years Presents. I got a really cool MASK watch that really came in useful when I figured out how the light and alarm worked.

Onto... 1987...

TERCERO

2010-12-27T14:44:00.000-08:00

Christmas: Day 3 of 12

As the whole world goes sale mad, what is the greatest bargain?

Today is Marlene Dietrich's birthday - colour all the Angels blue!
On December 27th 1997 Star Wars was premiered... or did Herod premier the first Star War?

DOVE

2010-12-26T14:35:00.001-08:00

Christmas: Day 2 of 12

The main emblem for ‘Boxing Day’ is the two Turtle doves. Not sure what is so turtle-esque about these, but they are symbolic of love and friendship and biblically a representative of the Christ child.

I’m not sure what I’d do if I had one of these in a gift box, let alone two of them. If they were still alive from being sealed in scotch-tape and wrapping paper I’d set them free.

I fondly remember the turtle doves being used (as ornaments obviously) in a touching scene at the end of the 2nd Home Alone movie, where Kevin McCallister gives one of the two to his chosen special friend – the scary yet good-hearted pidgeon-lady whilst he kept the other.

I guess these make an alternative to friendship rings, cept they can't fit around your finger.

CHRISTMASTIDE

2010-12-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 25:
Christmas Is HERE!!!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all around the world!

Make sure you make the most of the next 12 Days!

STARS

2010-12-24T00:01:00.001-08:00

Join R2D2 and many other plastic toy chums on this festive visual treat.

Christmas is a great time for lots of things and toys is but one of these elements. Click on PLAY and join the celebration.

SNOWMAN

2010-12-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 24:
Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman

Awesome festive animation I grew up watching.

A timeless classic that has aged well!

VAN

2010-12-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 23:
The A Team Van

The iconic Black and red van driven by BA Baracas. It has survived dangerous stunts throughout 5 seasons of the A-Team, made a cameo in Santa Claus The Movie and played a mobile base of operations for the soldiers of fortune!

I am yet to own a toy based on this awesome 80’s vehicle!

ALBUM

2010-12-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 22:
Christmas In The Stars

The awesome Star Wars Christmas Album that was released in the early 80’s featuring hit numbers from the Star Wars cast and also the signing debut of a one Jon Bon Jovi!

LAMP

2010-12-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 21:
Leg Lamp

This item of ‘electric sex’ is iconic to the awesome A Christmas Story (1983). It is a great award of achievement (apparently!) and looks great lit up in the front window so the whole street can marvel at its wonder!

Leg Lamps can actually be purchased via the web alongside other film replicas and merchandise from A Christmas Story. Red Ryder Leg Lamps is exclusively a webstore dedicated the film and worth checking out. The store even has Leg Lamps in keychain form as well as ‘Old Blue’.

RALPHIE

2010-12-20T00:37:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 20:
Ralphie

The spectacle wearing protagonist from one of the worlds (especially America) most celebrated Christmas movies – A Christmas Story (1983).

Ralphie wants a Range Ryder carbine action bb rifle for Christmas, but the grown ups are dismissive of him having one – even Santa!

Oh Fudge!

CATAPULT

2010-12-19T08:24:00.001-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 19:
A Slingshot

This is often called a ‘catapult’ on my side of the world, but I think that title belongs to the weapons mounted on the side of castles.

A trademark plaything from my youth for which I had a lot of fun with

BLANCO

2010-12-18T13:36:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 18:
White Christmas

Pretty decent 1950’s Christmas movie with Bing Crosby…

PASTRY

2010-12-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 17:
Mince Pies

I love Mince Pies, especially ones with icing at the top!

Can’t beat a good Mince Pie, whatever time of the year..

SIBLING

2010-12-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 16:
Ken, Helen and Mike

I am one of 3 siblings and the eldest.

This is a snapshot from Christmas 1987…

QUATRO

2010-12-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 15:
Can of Quatro

Pretty cool fruity soft drink from the early 80’s that’s now sadly non-existent. My last memory of this was taking a can to school and accidentally spilling it to the floor. The spill itself created a giant fizz in the air and I got busted by the dinner ladies. This was just before cans were banned at my school.

The TV advert for Quatro was pretty cool. The cyberpunk style vending machine featured was pure class!

GLOBE

2010-12-14T00:06:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 14:
Snow Globe

This is a pretty cool Christmas gift from my mum a couple of years back. It is clap activated and plays a dozen chimed Christmas songs. The mechanism is a little sensitive and sometimes goes off at the least expected of times.

CASTLE

2010-12-13T11:27:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 13:
Blaise Castle

Some of my old childhood stomping grounds are on the Blaise Estate where I played in the park, visited the museum, played hookie from school and built dens.

There’s also a pretty awesome castle there too!

JOLLY

2010-12-12T14:42:00.000-08:00

It's been 2 years since I posted this and a few other songs from the rare We Wish You a Turtles Christmas. Never before have I had so many pageviews and responses (e.g - over 29,000 for Deck The Halls) on anything I've uploaded to the web.

I am glad to see people are still either enjoying these, poking fun or critiqueing. I must say, this is probably the weirdest TMNT product I have come across or own.

EMERALD

2010-12-12T01:50:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 12:
Oliver Queen aka The Green Arrow

A latter day Robin Hood with a bank account as big as Batman and an array of cool gadgets to mix. With Smallville retiring next year, a glimmer of hope is shining for Green Arrow to have his own spin-off show.

Any kind of arrow imaginable, this emerald archer has them in his arsenal to help bring all sorts of crooks to justice.

TENSHI

2010-12-11T07:26:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 11:
Angel Wars

Going against the grain of angels being depicted as white glowing feminine entities, this animated series is a cooler interpretation of them.

HAT

2010-12-10T08:18:00.001-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 10:
The Hat of the Mad Hatter

One of the coolest fantasy fashion accessories of all time is the Mad Hatters personal top hat!

For its Tardis-like capabilities can contain a whole tea party and whatnot.

Such subspace attributes have only been copied by Santa Claus’ sack, Combat Colin’s trousers, and various 80’s style Transformers!

Aside from that, the hat looks cool!

GNOME

2010-12-09T04:51:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 9:
The Little Troll Prince

This is one of my favourite festive animation specials from the past 23 years – a tale about a Prince of the Trolls who discovered Christmas, the love of Christ and oddly enough became a gnome. I last blogged about this some 2 years ago in TROLL where a youtube’d copy of the film is available to view.

BLANKET

2010-12-08T13:12:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 8:
Linus & Blanket

Linus van Pelt and his blanket are possibly the most inseparable partnership in the world of comics…

POINSETTIA

2010-12-07T15:02:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 7:
The Poinsettia

I have never owned one of these before. I’ve seen plenty of these around Tesco with a guaranteed shelf life until January 6th. Good timing that!

PERKIN

2010-12-06T10:24:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++
Pic 6: The Flumps

The Flumps are a lovely short-lived 70's animated series about a family of beanie cap wearing coconut people.

Only 13 episodes were made, but the show alongside other stop-motion goodness (like Chorlton and the Wheelies and Parsley) is fondly remembered fun.

GLOVES

2010-12-05T15:19:00.000-08:00

I am loving my new 'mittens'.

I think I've found the right ones too...

One - Two steps to being warmer this winter.

PRODUCE

2010-12-05T09:52:00.001-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 5:
Vegetales

What I could describe as post-modern Munch Bunch in Christian CG animation.

Vegetales re-enact bible stories and perform their own adventures with a splendid mix of morality, fun and edutainment.

If you don’t mind high-pitch voice acting, enjoyed the Munch Bunch before they disappeared Vegatales is a great watch. The St Nick feature film from 2009 is the best of the bunch and its got a load of pop-culture references in it.

TWISTER

2010-12-04T23:03:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 4:
The Twister Board

What a great way to contort and torture your pals in social situations than to break out the game of Twister and be the one in control of the dial.

Played Twister a few times and ended up in a human car wreck. Strictly for those who are double jointed...

BEAVER

2010-12-04T04:01:00.000-08:00

I've got to get me one of those... :D

APPLE

2010-12-03T14:52:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 3:
A Red Apple

I used to find those Bugsy Malone inspired Le Crunch adverts from years ago pretty awesome. They made apples look cool!

I do a lot with apples; I eat them, I cook with them, I make apple crumble, and sometimes I even throw them.

Apples are great as a food source and a form of ammunition. We’d be stuck without the existence of this fruit. Just look at Adam and Eve…

INVADER

2010-12-02T18:34:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 2:
A Space Invader Alien!

Who would have thought that a repetitive run of shooting side-stepping, descending aliens would be so fun and addictive!? The grandpappy of all ‘shoot-em-ups’ still enjoyed by many and played today!

Space Invaders, like Pac-Man and Chucky Egg is a fondly remembered retro game from my very early years.

I hardly play games ever these days. Consider me a retired active gamer who hung up his SNES pad in the late 90’s but still enjoys the artistic imagery simplistic 8-16 bit generated sprites.

FLIGHT

2010-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Advent Calendar ++ Pic 1:
The Superman Cape

Superman's cape is allegedly made from the sheets found in his spaceship. Ma Kent took this potential 'Linus Blanket' and made it the most stand-out aspect of the costume (aside from the outside underpants!).

For the cape does'nt make Kal-el himself fly, we identify with this peice of wind flapping material as an object of flight. The cape is the finishing garnish on Superman's costume, the object you dare not tug on.

A cape acts very much like a flag, a banner of sorts. When Superman takes flight, citizens know it isn't just a bird or a plane souring in to save the day.

The cape as a mark of importance has been adopted by The Martian Manhunter, Red Tornado, Captain Marvel and so forth. It has also been adopted for villainy, but when it comes to the cloth - its most recognised for crimebusting. Its useage being most iconically used by the last son of Krypton...

PROWL

2010-11-29T11:16:00.000-08:00

I like to think a little extra paint on some figures can go a long way or just repainting some minor details.

I used a Tamiya Silver Paint Marker for my Universe Prowl toy and coloured in his bland black/white coloured weapons to make them more 80's outstanding. I found the original black/white scheme clashy to the actual figure paintjob. Here a little silver pays a lot more homage to the Prowl toy of 84.

Here's Prowl on duty...

GALLOP

2010-11-27T19:36:00.000-08:00

I finally got round to watching the Hub Channel's 2 episode preview of Transformers: Prime this Thanksgiving weekend.

That, I will talk about later.

Here's where the awesomeness is:
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic!

Its seriously a good show and is the creation of Lauren Faust - whose previous work is best known for Powerpuff Girls (a series created by her husband Craig McCracken)

Obviously targeted at a younger female audience this is a pretty tidy and well paced animated series with fun characters, easy to follow storylines and eye-catching visuals. Even Spike the dragon from the 80's series is present along with some other reinvented favourites.

The 2-part pilot for My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is viewable on Youtube along with later episodes.

Part 1 - Part 2
Now I've seen the shows based on these famous Hasbro properties I now have a sudden need to see how good GI Joe: Renegades is... The trilogy of sorts will be complete!

Thanks to Matt Blueshift Marshall for the Gallop graphic.

PADAWAN

2010-11-26T00:20:00.000-08:00

I was recently brought to the attention of this article after seeing this new artwork entry by long-time Transformers fan pal Jack Lawrence.

It sounds like to me this girl was bullied out of pure ignorance. Star Wars is very much a unisex franchise, but more importantly bullying especially at such a young age is very, very bad and needs to be trampled on effective immediately!

I still believe that institutional bullying isn’t clamped down on enough or dealt with early enough either. From Infant School to the Workplace, there can be tormentors who get their jollies from the upset of others. It isn’t just the victims that need help - these tormentors need it probably more before they go too far.

I hate bullying, and even though I can’t win back the years it personally cost me - I am glad to have been in a position or two to make a difference for others. Others who have been made to feel uncomfortable to go to their place of education or employment because of ignorant behaviour. I have been there, and survived.

I am sure that Katie is probably well chuffed at having a Jack Lawrence caricature drawn for her (if she’s seen it yet). I have one of myself drawn in 2004 knocking around somewhere. I must post it sometime.

WOODPECKER

2010-11-25T05:54:00.000-08:00

Cue the annoying sped-up laugh!

Today marks the 70th birthday of that crazy anthropomorphic multicoloured menace - Woody Woodpecker!

Woody first appeared in the Andy Panda cartoon short ‘Knock, Knock’ (1940) where the craziness branched out. 70 years ago today, theatre audiences first met Woody 'bringing the house down' in this 7-minute madcap fued with a panda family. It's really as bizarre as it sounds!

Happy Birthday, Woody! The nuttiest bird of all time...

NATIVITY

2010-11-22T09:05:00.000-08:00

Hooray. Nativity is finally out on DVD!

For anyone who missed out on last years cinema release; this in a nutshell is a British Christmas movie (how many are there?) about the workings, competition and drama of a Primary School Nativity play.

Starring Martin Freeman, Ashley Jenson, Alan Carr and Mark Wootton comes the ultimate British feel-good Christmas film for the whole family.

This Christmas, primary school teacher Paul Maddens (Martin Freeman) is being charged with the biggest challenge of his life - mounting the school's musical version of the Nativity.

Competing against the posh local school for the honour of best reviewed show in town, the stakes are raised when Paul idly boasts that his ex-girlfriend Jennifer (Ashley Jenson), a Hollywood Producer, is coming to see his show with a view to turning it into a film. The only trouble is - they haven't spoken in years.

With eccentric assistant Mr. Poppy (Mark Wootton) fuelling his 'little white lie', Maddens suddenly finds himself a local celebrity and at the centre of quarrelling parents and over-excited children desperate in their bid for fame and fortune.

Now Maddens' only hope is to get back in touch with Jennifer and lure Hollywood to town so that everybody's Christmas wishes come true.

Let the Mayhem in ‘Bethlehem’ commence

INEVITABLE

2010-11-22T08:33:00.000-08:00

SELECTION

2010-11-21T16:50:00.000-08:00

(Set in Christmas 1986....)
(Original Blog Posting: Dec 2004)
(Continued from BURNT)

Christmas morning came and all was forgotten about the 3P0 incident (cept my finger still hurt like crazy). Luckily I managed to sleep Christmas Eve, even though I was in fear that ‘Santa’ wouldn’t leave me any new toys.

We opened some presents for Helen first as she was still very tiny. She got plush toys and squeaky things and baby clothes. She actually liked the wrapping paper more than the contents.

OK. For me... The 3P0 incident scarred me literally. The mark on my finger stayed there for a number of years and that alone made me think more than twice about playing with fire, regardless or not whether Santa wouldn’t leave me any toys. My parents took it no further and I still got my presents.

My main present I remember from that year was a huge Transformer by the name of Metroplex. At the time he was the holy grail of all Transformers figs. There was no way that Hasbro was ever going to produce a Unicron (until many years later anyway) and the Autobots needed a playset. Metroplex was a huge white transformer that changed into a battle station/base for transformers to play on. You could store smaller figures inside him and he had some pretty cool weapons. I also received a Blades toy because he was pictured on the box. Michael received both a Galvatron and Ultra Magnus.

Michael was also introduced a cool looking new toyline called Thundercats. He had two figures - Lion O and Mum-Ra! These looked great in detail and were bigger than anything from the He-man toyline. The main attraction was the light up eyes that Mum Ra and Lion O both had. I also got into Thundercats slightly later, but Transformers was my main thing and always had been.

Another clever toy I received was a HeMan/Masters of the Universe figure by the name of Modulok. With Modulok, he could be taken apart to make 1000's of different creatures out of his limbs. This at the time was a mark of genius.

That year I got heavily into drawing and realised in my own view that was'nt half bad. I was happy that Santa left me pens and things to draw with. The 5 or 6 selection boxes Michael and I got each lasted us till Christmas 1987 (true).

This was the year where I kept some trimmings in my drawer. I began to hate it when the trimmings came down and all the happiness had been put away. Compared to the Christmas Period - Non Christmas days are Black and White in comparison. 1986 lasted longer than a year for me. I was in a class I had been wrongly placed in and all my friends who were my age were in the class below me. Blaise Primary never explained why they put me in a class where most of the kids were a year above me. That still remains a mystery. That was the year when I was bullied by the older kids till they moved on to 'The Big School' and became the little kids again. Watership Down, Transformers comics, Drawing, and Christmas Trimmings I had hidden away all kept me going.

BURNT

2010-11-20T15:44:00.000-08:00

(Set in Christmas 1986....)
(Original Blog Posting: Dec 2004)
(Part 1 of 2)

Hmmmm.... I don’t know how to start my 1986 Christmas Flashback but here goes. This year marked the introduction of Thundercats, Modulok and even more Transformers and oh yeah my baby sister too.

This was the first Flatt Family Christmas Holiday with my new sister Helen. Helen was born shortly after my Granddad passed away. If we were a Hindu family we'd put it down to reincarnation. Mum told me that Granddad was now living with God in Heaven and we will see him again someday.

I believe it was Live Aid or Ferry Aid or something that was Christmas number 1 that year. 1986 marked lots of well known songs in the charts from the likes of Berlin, The Bangles, Spitting Image puppets (we were allowed to sing a edited version of 'The Chicken Song' in a school assembly), and page 3 girl Samantha Fox. I wasn’t much into pop around then but everyone at school loved the chicken song and there was so much fuss about it more than any other song in all my years in schools and educational institutes. Top Gun was also that year’s no.1 movie.

Back onto Christmas. We taped lots of films and cartoons that year. Dumbo, Watership Down, He Men and She Ra Enriched, The Animalypics and some Australian monster film called Monsters Christmas or something. We still have these somewhere on Betamax tape somewhere (and yes! I acquired a Betamax last year from a workmate and when I get the right leads I will capture and make some 80's clips for kenflatt.com). We watched Watership Down almost everyday. Bigwig was the man, err bunny!

Dad made a huge blazing fire on Christmas Eve (we had one really cool huge fireplace at our Bungalow in Brentry). Michael and I took the opportunity to make a sacrifice for the fire. We chose an old C3P0 toy we had (1 of 5 second hand C3P0 figs we had and back then SW toys were going VERY cheap) and when Dad wasn’t looking C3P0 with some help from your's truly took dive into the fire. He hit the guard and missed. Oh dear..... Dad could be back any second and do us for action figure murder. I reached into the fireplace and grabbed a slightly charred 3P0 and burned the inner part of my index finger. I ran quickly into the bathroom and watered it down.

By the time I came out I was in trouble. Dad found out (thanks to Michael for squealing on me) and I was sent to bed early. Now as a 9 year old and excited about Christmas Day the most torturous thing that could happen is being sent to bed early. And yep that happened to me. It was like a solitary confinement scene from a prison movie.

On top of that Santa was going to be told about what I did.

TO BE CONTINUED…

DISTANCE

2010-11-20T15:23:00.000-08:00

... ;_;

RUMBLETUM

2010-11-19T20:39:00.000-08:00

(Set in 1984....)
(Original Blog Posting: Oct 2005)

When I went to the juniors for the first time I was in the land of the giants. Once again, like in the infants, all the kids in the playground were much bigger than me and much more frightening.

Break time came and all was scary.

"Hey Milky Bar Kid!!" a voice yelled and the same thing again from another voice. A punch to the stomach from out of nowhere struck me down to the cold playground concrete and had me crying on the floor. I looked up and saw the menacing figures of Langstav and his friends who bullied me somewhat 3-4 years ago in the infants. To be honest I forgot about them, but they sure did not forget about me.

I was bullied and called names in the infants because of my glasses. I hated those glasses, they made me look like The Milky Bar Kid.

The whole Milky Bar Kid thing in the infants was humoured by myself and my mum. Mum dressed me up in a cowboy suit at a school fete and I won the dress-up competition hands down! I won again that year later dressed as Popeye! I still remember to that day wearing stockings on my arm with tennis balls up them to look like muscles (mum even drew Popeye's tattoo on them too).

Looking back. The whole Milky Bar Kid was something that started off as a cruel nickname towards me but ended up being humoured and embraced. Much like when Jesus' followers were called Christians by the Romans as a jeering name and then over the years turned into a badge of honour.

Oh yeah... Back to the horrible bullying scene.

Langstav and his goons crowded around me in a semi circle. From what I remember they were calling me names and not letting me get up.

Ironically. Langstav wore glasses himself and at this time I had just stopped wearing them. I had no idea what his beef with me was. Maybe he and friends were establishing themselves as the top dogs of the 'prison yard'. All of a sudden the semi-circle broke up and a mass brawl ensured.

THE RUMBLETUMS!!! Yes, The Rumbletums came to my rescue.

The name Rumbletums from what I can remember was from a Kellogs breakfast cereal promotion and part of when The Weetabix Gang were around.

The Rumbletums of Blaise Primary were lead by my hero and role model at the time - Perkins! Perkins was the man. His mum and my mum were good friends and he always looked out for me as a kid. I picked up a lot from Perkins and he always had my back during the Juniors.

I can describe the fight as either a punch up from The A-team or a Backstage beatdown from a wrestling show where the good guys run in and make the save.

Either way, this whole playground fight was entertaining to watch. Langstav was on the receiving end of an almighty "kick to the goolies" by Perkins, and shortly after that he fled and took his band of 'mutants' with him.

The Rumbletums checked to see if I was OK. It was re-assuring and less scary to know that I had the toughest gang in the juniors looking out for me.

As weeks went by, I was made an honourary Rumbletum and got made to feel like one of the 'Cool Kids'. I learned a lot from them. I learned that kicking someone in the goolies is a great advantage in a fight (and that helped me a few times). I even learned some great and colourful new words... Words that got me into trouble some time later...

Langstav and co tried to get me again a few times after yet and more kicks to the 'goolies' ensured. The gang war between The Rumbletums and The Langstav Goons continued until the ever intimidating Mr Hayball stood in and intervened.

And that... is another story.

LARIAT

2010-11-19T15:15:00.000-08:00

Amazing...

THEY

2010-11-17T12:32:00.000-08:00

They have always misunderstood me…

They believe they have it all figured out with me. They think they know what they are talking about with their opinionated judgement, They big themselves up amongst themselves within their clique, their axis of evil, their place on the map.

They group together to delude themselves even further into believing they’re in the right. They are actually wrong. They hunt in packs, like a posse – and unite as a dysfunctional family…

They gang up on others and think they ‘help’ people, but in reality they do a better job making others feel even worse than before.

They are plotting against me behind the scenes. They are underhanded and in their own agenda they plan amongst themselves.

They in some ways act like they are a secret society.

They actually know jack…

They’re not Grrrreat.

They want me taken out, put away. They won’t take me alive

Time to fight back…

Time to work a way up the list, They must be picked off one by one.

They must be destroyed, or simply stopped.

I am 777….

I am Heroic…

I am mis-understood, but mainly by They.

I won’t let they mess me even further.

I will prevail one way or another.

DRILLER

2010-11-16T11:58:00.001-08:00

More building-brick banter in today's blog. I messed around this morning with some Lego zombies I dug out from sorting through a pile of stuff.

This unsuspecting drller is from the knock-off 'click bricks' toyline. He obviosuly cant't hear the vastly approaching undead brickmen.

Captions please... :)

TRIO

2010-11-16T02:41:00.000-08:00

I'd normally put this in a Facebook note, but since a few people there are causing me some grief I decided to cut and paste my tagged reply here.

My good freind from various TMNT fan communities Jeph (Jephael) tagged me in his survey with a series of questions to give trio answers to. So here's my rundown. Enjoy.

You've been tagged, thus you are supposed to write a note with the Threes of YOU. At the end, choose 26 people to be tagged. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you - but not in a creepy stalker kind of way. It's a good way to learn more about your friends without INTRUDING!

* Just copy, paste & fill in your own answers!! *

Three names I go by

1) Hero

2) Ken

3) n/a

Three Jobs I have hated in my life

1) Twilight Shifts at Tesco

2) Cashier at Sainsburys

3) Delicatessen

Three Jobs I have loved in my life

1) Learning Support Assistant

2) Voluntary Awesomeness at TGI Kids Club

3) Art Commissions

Three Places I have lived

1) my parents' house

2) a room with no heating

3) A caravan in the backyard of a place known around town as The Pit!

Three Favorite drinks

1) Tea

2) Crabbies

3) Water

Three TV Shows that I watch

1) Lie To Me

2) Batman: Brave and The Bold

3) Smallville

Three places I have visited

1) Toronto, Canada

2) Gozo, Malta

3) Black Gang Chine, Isle of Whight

Three favorite foods

1) Salmon

2) Olives

3) Chilli chocolate

Three friends I think will respond

1) Scott (Slash)

2) Nicole (Hailstorm)

3) Kevin (Jester)

Three Things I am looking forward to

1) Driving School

2) Upcoming episodes of Smallville.

3) Making my mark on this world

Three Things that are always by your side

1) cell phone

2) back pack

3) house keys

SNOWBLIND

2010-11-15T14:27:00.000-08:00

I have just enjoyed the best internet 'freebie' in a long time - A marvellous post-apocalyptic, snow-capped, Spagetthi-Western entitled... Snowblind!

SYNOPSIS: "A lone gunman gets a last-minute pardon from death row, with the mission to deliver a woman of mysterious powers to an evil Governor. Against the backdrop of a frozen, inhospitable earth, Snowblind fires up the classical love triangle with smoking barrels and a ton of red-hot bullets.

SNOWBLIND is true film making 2.0: Community-powered, fan-based, graphic-novel grindhousy goodness… Shot on their own money and post-produced in endless hours of unpaid work. What else to do but share it with the world for free now – because in our present, yesterday meets tomorrow and spaghetti western goes digital!"
Snowblind is available for free download from the film website or can be viewed streaming on youtube here.