Stuntblog

Deadliest Catch 2009

2009-03-22T15:51:00.000-07:00

Presenting: Sky Captain Vader

2009-01-08T21:19:00.000-08:00

One of My Favorite Christmas Memories.....

2008-12-25T08:56:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone! (go rent Die Hard)

Farewell Bettie Page

2008-12-17T21:04:00.001-08:00

A small part of humanity died on December 11, 2008. Bettie Page was a pinup queen, icon and legend. Part fantasy, part reality, her images have lasted decades and will live on for many, many more.

Thank you Bettie. You will be missed.

Question (everybody answer please)

2008-11-29T10:31:00.000-08:00

I have a question for all of you who read my blog.
Which sounds better:

super zombie robot

or

super robot zombie

Everyone please chime in.

Contemplations On The Lobot

2008-11-23T09:52:00.001-08:00

John Hollis was a fine British actor, with a career of 38 years. He was in everything from "The Avengers" and "Doctor Who" to playing the wheelchair bound Blofeld in the opening of the Bond film "For Your Eyes Only." He even graced such classics as "Superman I and II" and "The Dirty Dozen." But, what he will always be known for, what some probably think should be carved on his gravestone (he died in 2005 at age 74) is that John Hollis was LOBOT.

Billed only as "Lando's Aide" in Episode V of the original Star Wars Trilogy, Lobot played an essential role. With just a few button pushes, Lando Calrissian, played by Billy Dee Williams, sends Lobot into action. His actions save Princess Leia, Chewbacca and essentially the Rebel Alliance, ergo the entire galaxy. AND HE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ANY LINES!!! By locking a few Stormtroopers in "the North Tower" he clears the path for the Rebelion Steamroller to crush the Empire.

We all have Lobots in our lives. Every one of us has someone, or something that goes unnoticed or unsung, but has played an important role. Take a moment in your life to stop and think: who or what is my Lobot? And as the holiday season approches, filled with peace, love and kind vegi-burritos, acnowledge your Lobot.

Motoring

2008-11-07T14:42:00.000-08:00

I have a curse. It has been going on for years now, but only recently have I gotten control of it. I call it "The Curse of Night Ranger!!!"

You know how you hear a tune somewhere, like for instance the "Christmas Time Is Here" song from "Merry Christmas Charlie Brown," and it gets stuck in your head and plays over and over again. (by the way, you are welcome) Well, now imagine that anytime that happens, within a matter of seconds it turns from "Christmas Time is Here" to "Sister Christian" by Night Ranger. No matter what the song, it always turns to "Sister Christian." Even if someone else says they have ________ stuck in there head, it will put "Sister Christian" into my head. This is "The Curse of Night Ranger!!"

Now, this use to drive me nuts. The song would play over and over in my head. My brothers and sister would say "Night Ranger!" and it would start. Nothing could purge it from my system. Until I became one with the song. I downloaded it onto my IPod, set it as the ringer of my phone, played it whenever it got stuck in my head or if it just felt like it was time. By no means has this stopped it from playing in my head, but it no longer plagues me. It is something I have learned to live with. Which is the only reason I can talk about it, because if I were to tell everyone I knew about the curse and was not okay with the song...well...I would be crazier than I already am.

Too bad it is not the curse of THIS Night Ranger:

Via Con Dios 2003-2008

2008-10-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

Red Tornado, Red Shark, Interceptor 2.0.....I called her many things, but she has left me for another. I've got a lot of fond memories with that car. One more chapter closed.

The Tale of The Big Pig

2008-10-02T10:06:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not know, the wife travels the back roads to and from work. As she puts it, "we live in the sticks!" Many a farm animal can be seen by this route, but one animal has struck a cord like no other: The Big Pig.

One day, Jenn called me on her way home to report that there is "a pig the size of a car!" When she got home she further stated that it was the size of my Honda Fit. I found this hard to believe and yet exciting. Giant car size pigs could have a number of uses: transportation, mobile paintball shields, a source of alternate energy....the list goes on. Plus, in the end = bacon.

After repeated days of spotting the Big Pig, I took it upon myself to see it with my own eyes. In fact, Tyler, my brother-in-law, was with me when we went on the hunt. But no pig was to be found. Days went on and there was no more sighting of the Big Pig. Bacon he must be........or is he?

Guess who's back?

Seattle

2008-09-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

Just got back from a trip to Seattle. It was my first time there and I liked it a lot. It has a feel to it that I can't quite describe. The wife had a conference up there so I decided to tag along. I spent my days sightseeing while she was busy working. I think I got the better end of the bargain. I did the tourist thing: Pikes Place Market, Space Needle (I saw it, but didn't want to pay the fraking $16 to go up in it!), rode the monorail. (Monorail! Monorail! MONORAIL!!) Also went to the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame. How could that be a bad time, eh? Topped it off by going to a Mariners game at Safeco Field. They won, but are still the worst team of MLB this season.

I also spent a day at the Museum of Flight. I am a sucker for airplane museums. I took a bunch of photos, but not what you would expect. Don't know why I felt compelled to take these, but I like 'em. What do you think?

How Superheros Are Made

2008-09-11T12:39:00.001-07:00

"The world's largest atom smasher passed its first test Wednesday as scientists said their powerful tool is almost ready to reveal how the tiniest particles were first created after the "big bang," which many theorize was the massive explosion that formed the stars, planets and everything.

Tension mounted in the five control rooms at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, as scientists huddled around computer screens. After a few trial runs, they fired a beam of protons clockwise around the 17-mile tunnel of the collider deep under the rolling fields along the Swiss-French border. Then they succeeded in sending another beam in the opposite, counterclockwise direction.

The beams will gradually be filled with more protons and fired at near the speed of light in opposite directions around the tunnel, making 11,000 circuits a second. They will travel down the middle of two tubes about the width of fire hoses, speeding through a vacuum that is colder than outer space. At four points in the tunnel, the scientist will use giant magnets to cross the beams and cause protons to collide.

The only risk would be if a beam at full power were to go out of control, and that would only damage the accelerator itself and burrow into the rock around the tunnel. No one would be endangered because the tunnel is evacuated when beams are being fired."-A.P.

Riiiiiiight. Part of me is worried because these people are trying to make a black hole! However, Stephen Hawking has bet $100 that nothing will happen and nothing will be found. How's that for a blow to your ego?

World destruction aside, I want to be there when they fire this thing again. Not because I care about some particle from the dawn of time, but because this is probably the best shot at gaining super powers! Think about it: if this thing goes out of control and SOMEONE, let's say....umm....me, has to run in and save....er.....a kitten, before it is sucked into oblivion and WHAM! = super powers! It could happen. Besides, is it a coincidence that there is a superhero named Atom Smasher? I think not.

Trippin' Down South

2008-09-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

Howdy Folks! I am back for a trip to Southern California. My Mom's birthday was on Aug. 27th and she turned ______ (you're welcome Mom!). Plus my Dad and I had tickets to the NASCAR race out in Fontana, so it was a dual purpose trip. And, of course, I got to road test the Fit....which was nice.

I got into town on Thursday the 28th and went to dinner with my parents, my sister Cheryl and her husband Tom. We went to the Northwoods Inn, which is a Los Angeles County institution. They are know for their log cabin apperence with fake snow on the roof. I grew up near on and it always fasinated me as a child.....well......it still does.
Friday, I had lunch at Panavision. It was nice to see the old crew, but felt weird being there and NOT working. I miss the old lunch crew......especially Mini-Me. Friday was also my friend Jason's birthday so I got to see some of my old high school crew too. Happy Birthday Campa!

Saturday was the race, or as I like to call it 'rednecks making left turns.' It was fun. My Dad and I always have fun at the races. Male bonding time.

Sunday I spend in Riverside with my friends Deren and Adam. Adam is fantastic cook, so we forced him to make dinner (which he actually loves doing). Bison Meatloaf! Damn, it was good.

Then on Monday, I drove back up, but not alone. My friend Gerard came back with me. He is going though some rough stuff right now and wanted to get away and go fishing. Now, there is a history here. When G and I go fishing, it is not a small endeavor. One time, at the end of a DAY fishing trip we ended up 8 hours from home and had to drive back. We are notorious for not thinking things through all the way. He is the Han Solo to my Luke Skywalker....the shoot first ask later type of guy (and yes, Han DID shoot Greedo in cold blood).

So, on Tuesday we got our fishing licences, he helped me paint the clubhouse and we went wine tasting. Wednesday was the day of fish. We got up and left around 6:30 (I know, we slept in) and drove to Lake Berryessa, about and hour and a half away. When we go there, the lake was LOW!!!! It was at least 100 yards lower than normal. You could see where the beachhead usually is. It was kinda creepy. Well, we where out there for about 4 hours and nothing, nada, zero! Oh, the fish were jumping, but just to taunt us. And, it didn't help that G decided to go swimming right where we had our lines cast. We still have yet to catch fish on our trips, but we have a lot of fun.

Thursday, we went to see a friend of his in Sonoma. They were on a bike trip across America recently and it just so happens that Gary has a place in Sonoma with a grove of grapes where he makes his own wine. WOW!!! His place was great! It was on a hill that overlooked EVERYTHING!!! Gary is nicest guy in the world and gave us the tour of his winery, a tasting of some 2007 wine, and a case for us to share. It was quite the day. That afternoon, Gerard rented a car and headed back south. I miss having him so close, but I guess that is a part of life.

New Wife, New House, New City and.........(a birthday summation)

2008-08-24T18:23:00.000-07:00

On August 18, 1972 at around 8 o'clock in the morning, I was born. It was a hot day in the city of Glendora, or at least I assume it was. Fast forward 36 years to Petaluma, California. It was a nice sunny morning, not too hot. The wife kissed my goodbye as she left for work and I spent the day doing "Brian" things: playing video games, scratching myself and comic book shopping. My wife took me out to a lunch that consisted of a very large burrito. All was right with the world.

At around 5 o'clock, Jennifer comes home. She enters the front door, which struck me as odd. Why not enter through the garage as she always does (a relative term as we have only been living here for 3 weeks). In her hands is a bunch of balloons. I was talking to my parents on the phone at the time and she told me to stay on the line with them....she had my present for me. She handed me the bunch of balloons and told me my present was tied to the end. There, at the end was a Honda key. I was confused, to say the least. Seeing this she took me outside to find, in the driveway a 2008 Honda Fit, silver. I was speechless, except she later told me that I kept saying "oh shit, oh shit."

I wasn't too sure what I was more shocked over: the new car or Jennifer keeping a secret this big. You see, she is horrible at keeping secrets. If she buys a present for someone, she HAS to give it to them right away. She cannot wait. Usually, she will give me my birthday presents first thing in the morning before I am really awake because she can't wait. So this was prettttttty shocking.

I had been talking about a new car, and that I would like to get a Fit one day because of the great gas milage, but I didn't expect to find one in my driveway......my driveway in Petaluma......given to me by my wife. Yes, folks, things have changed in my life. Changed a lot.....and for the better.

Watchin' the Olympics

2008-08-13T20:22:00.000-07:00

I have found a new crack. I can't stop. The Summer Games have taken over my....er....summer. Well, not completely. There is the small matter of unpacking the house, re-painting, job hunting...you know.....small stuff. But here I am, watching guys in speedos diving together.

Speaking of what they are wearing: how freaking cool is it that the swimmers are wearing superhero costumes!!! I mean, come on!!!! It's like the X-Men out there! Then again, olympians are the closest thing we have to superheros.

And while I am talking about what people are wearing at the Olympics......in Beach Volleyball, why do the guys get to wear t-shirts and shorts and the girls wear sports bra bikinis?!?!? Not that I am complaining in the least, but it is just an observation.

What a week

2008-08-09T23:24:00.000-07:00

Our first week is almost over. Jenn started work and I continued the search for work while unpacking......which in a way is work. I also got to do "man-things." Spent a lot of time at Lowe's, bought a saw, cut down some shelves and didn't kill myself doing it. I also became one with contact paper.

I also started work on the Clubhouse. For those of you who don't know, the Clubhouse is my room; that is where I get to store/show-off all of my helmets, toys, comic books, etc. When we bought the house, the room was decorated with Peter Rabbit wallpaper. I am happy (sad to some) to report that it is gone. Some hoped it would stay and all I can say to that is that they left extra......so it may one day return.

Were did I get all this stuff?!?!

2008-08-03T12:41:00.000-07:00

The moving truck has come and gone. We have been sleeping in a real bed in what still seems like a foreign place. Our stuff is here, so it seems more like home. But the burning question is "where did I get all this stuff?!?!?" Now, yes, I am a pack rat and I acknowledge that I have a lot of "things," but WOW! This house is bigger and it is filling up fast!!!

We now have a washer and dryer. And a fridge. The dog have moved in and he seems to be making himself at home. Then again, anywhere Vader goes is home.

New House: Day 1

2008-07-31T21:45:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Petaluma. Jenn and I arrived at our new house at about 1 in the afternoon....just in time to meet the cable guy. We may not have furniture, but we have internet. After realizing we have no refrigerator, washer or dryer, we headed out to Sears. So, until Sunday, we will be dumping ice in the bathtub to keep things cold. We explored a little more of the area, ate a nice dinner of BBQ and returned home to inflate the air mattress for the night. Yes, all is well and we will wake in the morning to find our stuff arriving by truck.