As we treated the kiddo's to Iron Man Three Last night for movie night on Blue Ray, it was quite late by the time we hit the sack. I LOVE the reaction the kids have when we surprise them with a film they have been dying to see, so we spoiled 'em a bit and let them stay up even later then usual and watch the special features (a point I'll whine a bit about shortly) which resulted in a 1.40 am bed time!
*YAWN*
So it was with GREAT hesitation that I rose out of bed this morning (not to mention having a lovely, warm wife to snuggle up against! Always difficult to leave her!) and stumbled off to work. A delay compounded by the tingling joy I felt at once again being greeted by the mild air, gentle breezes and joyous sunshine (yea...starting to sound a wee bit like Uncle Remus there for a moment!) as to motivate me to take a more leisurely ride into work this morn'! As I rode, my senses alert, I couldn't help but become aware of bird song. OK, I know, some of you are most assuredly becoming concerned that I have stepped over the precipice of sanity, but I assure you, I and the voices in my head are all QUITE sane, thank you! At the corner of Union and Patricia, half way to the shop, sits a Wallgreens. Not all together an expected source of nature. However, sitting to either side, are a grove of trees to the East and a small marsh to the North. As I came closer I could hear a cacophony of birdsong. Certainly out of character for me, I detoured from my normal progression and shot behind the store and paused, transfixed by the diversity of sounds. Edging closer I could barely make out the many small avian forms dotting the trees, but after a scant few seconds all other audible street sounds, and aimless meanderings of man ebbed away, and all I could hear was the conversations taking place between each winged creature. Briefly paused by the occasional croaking of some enormous sounding frog. I'm not quite sure how long I stood there, mesmerized as I didn't bother to check the clock when I finally got to work. It just didn't matter that much anymore.
Life is DEFINITELY different from the seat of a bicycle!
Now, moving away from my natural revelry, I will refocus on work! Thanks to all for paying us visits yesterday. Moved the GT BMX to a newly arrived Floridian from Chicago. Looking for transportation, the sight of this BMX throwback sparked musing on his youth, and so inspired, sought to rekindle old passions, as well as propel him to his employment. We also appreciate ALL the trust folks bestow upon us in the way of repairs, my only regret being that two of them were bikes that they JUST bought elsewhere and had found to be damaged or possess failed parts. I tried very hard to be gentle with them! Many more Looky Loo's as well, as folks are shedding the oppressive sweltering, and soggy summer in hopes of a prize riding season!
Was quite busy in the building department as well. Steeped in kiddo bikes, my attention was drawn there, putting out five new ones, with three pic'd below for your perusal. Why not all five? Two sold rather quickly to a young family, obviously motivated by the self same desire to explore their surroundings, now no longer entombed in the air conditioned confines of their home! Today will be focusing on two more, his and hers cruisers, and a Coleman (?) MTB!
Now...ON TO MOVIES! (big shock, hunh?)
I won't go into another IM3 review. Did that after seeing the flick in the theatres. I will however take a moment to address some criticism of the flick by some other reviewers I have perused! IM3's take on the Mandarin was lambasted, as he is one of the primary and more formidable of Ol' Shell Heads Nemesis's (nemesis? Nemisi?) and in the film he is portrayed as a shill in the form of a failed, drug addicted stage actor (in my opinion HILARIOUSLY portrayed by Ben Kingsly) . A figure head drafted by the REAL villain behind the scene, Aldrich Killian. Once again, I have to remind the reviewers that you have to embrace the fact that these movie projects, while embracing the roots of the characters they bring to life, are limited in their ability to include the rich continuity of each and every character given the constraints of the medium. And as the flux of the story was Killian's Extremeis, Mandarins part was apropos. Also the complaints about Stark's fledgling and riddled with glitches technology of the Mark 42 suit? Well, not only allowing for comedic relief, it was in line with his sleepless nights, derived from PTSD in regards to his near death experience in the "Avengers". He was a "mess". Also, hearkening back to MANY classic Marvel yarns regarding the "fall" of a hero, they often times broke a character down, through a multitude of mishaps. Not only reaffirming Marvels theology of "humanizing" super heroes, but to give them the opportunity to "rise from the ashes" as it were. Look at MANY great examples throughout Marvels illustrious career! Fantastic Four #9, when the group loses everything, or Frank Millers BRILLIANT Daredevil: Born Again series when the Kingpin, discovering his alias, destroys his entire life! Or Spiderman, fed up with bad press and the pressures of "Great Responsibility" hangs up the suit (or rather throws it in the trash can) (yea, they did it in Spiderman 2 'cause they did it in the milestone "Amazing Spiderman #50") albeit temporarily. Yes, reviewers need to realize that these two merging mediums need to be approached with a more nuanced eye for detail when considering their content!
Now, on to my gripe about DVD'S!
Remember VHS tapes? Yes, rather archaic to some now, I personally mourn their passing. Speaking from the point of view of a parent, with children who are amused by the shiny, EASILY scratched silver Frisbees, why did we abandon the more durable item? Oh, sure, now we have the Blue Ray, billed as more scratch resistant, but I'm here to tell you, "Don't believe the hype!"
But, do you remember when DVD's were premiered. Outrageous price not withstanding, they offered up a bevy of not seen before goodies! Hours upon hours of special features. Featurettes, "making of" cast interviews, behind the scenes, gag reels, music videos...The list goes on. Now? Perhaps one brief featurette, maybe a five minute gag reel but more often then not you get nothing but an audio commentary and a list of "Sneak Peeks" of movies the production company wants you to buy. No, for ANY features worth watching, NOW you have to buy the Blue Ray. Even then, you get maybe an hour of goodies, and that's it. Even worse is the films that offer the DVD, or the Blue Ray/DVD combo and the Blue Ray/DVD combo with the BONUS DISC package!
ARRGH!
Just give me back the Durable VHS! If I ever have to pause or stop it, I just turn it back on and its RIGHT where I left off! No stumbling about with a temperamental remote to try and figure where I left off!
OK, I'm done. 'nuff grumbling!
So ruining my Chi.
See ya soon!
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