To begin the Clone Wars have.
Our story so far:
My son, Drew, left on Monday afternoon to head up to the cabin with his grandparents. He just got back last night, and that is when the realization of my cloning finally sunk in.
Here are the list of things that Drew is "in" to:
Transformers (it's all about Bumblebee and Optimus Prime)
Star Wars
Video Games (did I mention that his favorite games are...yup Transformers and Star Wars)
Ghost Hunters (yes he is 5 and thinks this is the greatest show to ever grace the television)
IPod (he has officially taken over my wife's Ipod as his now)
Skiing
Hockey
Here is a list of things that I was "in" to when I was a kid (and yes I can sorta remember that long ago thank you very much!):
Transformers (granted I was in high school when these were "in")
Star Wars
Video Games (go go Atari 2600 - PONG BABY!)
Ghost Stories (they didnt have cool shows about this stuff back then)
Walkmans (I was a bit older when these came out - but still long before the CD was even invented)
Skiing
Hockey
I know that everyone says your kids will be interested in the same things that you are, but come on. It isnt that he is just interested in them, he is OBSESSED with them. It is like watching a time portal replaying portions of my life as a child. Just like I did, he knows all the Transformers, what they transform into, which side they are on, and who defeats who and when. He knows all the Star Wars characters and even knows the lines from the movies. He has not gotten to the point where he puts on mini Star Wars reproduction plays in our living room, but he has managed to recreate the fight scenes with his lightsabers. Our cats are forever scared I am sure.
Dr. Evil has nothing on this Mini Me!
I have officially been cloned.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Monday, December 24, 2007
My son has ESP
The holiday season is almost over. I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to get all our shopping done in time this year. My wife was brave (or insane depending on how you look at it) enough to put on the full body armor and wade into the most dangerous territory one can imagine in search of last minute gifts...the mall.
Here is what she looked like (and I am sure it wasn't enough to keep her safe)...
Here is what she looked like (and I am sure it wasn't enough to keep her safe)...
Okay okay, so she didn't really wear a suit like that, but I am thinking she should have. That place is truely a battlefield this time of year. The mall, and the 5 mile radius around it are to be avoided at all costs. I will add another 25 minutes to my drive just to avoid it.
Anyways.
My wife's brother and his family came for Christmas this year. Unlike most people I talk to out there, I actually really like my wife's family. Her brother and his wife have 2 kids that our son just loves playing with. I was really hoping that her dad would come this year as well. He wasn't able to make it, but we are going to get him up here again soon.
Her brother's kids show up and they both have one of those PSP's. You know, the hand held mind numbing things Sony likes to call a game/movie unit.
Drew just thought this was the neatest thing since, well, his Wii. Of course they just HAD to have the Star Wars Battlefront game on it so that just added to the overall "cool" factor for him. Well, grandpa (in his behind the scene plot to get back at Jayna for all the things she put him through when she was a kid) decided that since they both had one, Drew had to have one too. So he sent a PSP up with her brother to give to Drew.
We decided to give it to him yesterday since the other two had theirs. It has been nothing but constant blaster fire, "I GOT YOU!!!!", "Dad, he keeps killing me" ect...
Oh, and Drew is so funny. He has been telling everyone that his "papa" gave him a "ESP".
My son officially has ESP now.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Barlow is back!!!!!!
This was posted on Iced Earth's website last week. I was out of town for a hockey tournament so I missed this until today. This has got to be the greatest news in music!
Hello Dear Friends!
Once again the winds of change are upon us, and this time I can say that I am very happy about the result.
While out on the European tour I had several in depth discussions with many loyal Iced Earth fans. A common theme of these discussions was how much Matt is missed. I agreed with the fans that things were not the same and that it was a very special period in Iced Earth’s history.
When I heard several months ago that Matt was going to be doing a project in music again, I was thinking about contacting him and seeing what his intentions were. I didn’t act on this because I was so focused on the writing of the new epic, and frankly, it just didn’t seem realistic.
Well, after getting out on the road and speaking with many of you directly, I decided to call Matt and see how he was doing and if he was interested in working together again. I am proud to say that he is coming back to Iced Earth and we will be getting back to work in the studio very soon.
Matt will be singing on Part 2 of the Something Wicked concept CD and we will be looking forward to getting out on tour and delivering a series of Iced Earth shows that will rival any in the history of the band. And there will be a proper DVD filmed from this period, something we’ve all been waiting for.
I want you all to know that it was you who made this a reality. I have missed Matt’s presence onstage and in my personal life in a big way over the past few years, so I appreciate your honesty in our discussions. It did help me realize the decision to move forward with pursuing this. The fans have spoken and we have delivered!
You true fans know that I’m a straight shooter, I say what I mean and mean what I say. And though I value your opinions greatly, you must believe that this is a decision that comes completely from the heart and is not motivated by anything other than what feels the best for Iced Earth. This is the way that things have always been dealt with, for better or for worse, but always honestly and from the heart.
Tim Owens is a great and talented singer and I wish the best for him and his future on a personal and professional level.
There will be more news soon as to further developments and plans. This will push back the release of Part 2 a bit. Not because we couldn’t be ready to record in time, but because of a new addition to Matt’s family in early 2008!
I am very happy to announce that Iced Earth is truly BACK!
Have a great holiday season. We’ll be in touch very soon with more details.
Jon Schaffer
Hello Dear Friends!
Once again the winds of change are upon us, and this time I can say that I am very happy about the result.
While out on the European tour I had several in depth discussions with many loyal Iced Earth fans. A common theme of these discussions was how much Matt is missed. I agreed with the fans that things were not the same and that it was a very special period in Iced Earth’s history.
When I heard several months ago that Matt was going to be doing a project in music again, I was thinking about contacting him and seeing what his intentions were. I didn’t act on this because I was so focused on the writing of the new epic, and frankly, it just didn’t seem realistic.
Well, after getting out on the road and speaking with many of you directly, I decided to call Matt and see how he was doing and if he was interested in working together again. I am proud to say that he is coming back to Iced Earth and we will be getting back to work in the studio very soon.
Matt will be singing on Part 2 of the Something Wicked concept CD and we will be looking forward to getting out on tour and delivering a series of Iced Earth shows that will rival any in the history of the band. And there will be a proper DVD filmed from this period, something we’ve all been waiting for.
I want you all to know that it was you who made this a reality. I have missed Matt’s presence onstage and in my personal life in a big way over the past few years, so I appreciate your honesty in our discussions. It did help me realize the decision to move forward with pursuing this. The fans have spoken and we have delivered!
You true fans know that I’m a straight shooter, I say what I mean and mean what I say. And though I value your opinions greatly, you must believe that this is a decision that comes completely from the heart and is not motivated by anything other than what feels the best for Iced Earth. This is the way that things have always been dealt with, for better or for worse, but always honestly and from the heart.
Tim Owens is a great and talented singer and I wish the best for him and his future on a personal and professional level.
There will be more news soon as to further developments and plans. This will push back the release of Part 2 a bit. Not because we couldn’t be ready to record in time, but because of a new addition to Matt’s family in early 2008!
I am very happy to announce that Iced Earth is truly BACK!
Have a great holiday season. We’ll be in touch very soon with more details.
Jon Schaffer
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Let the 4 year old teach us how to keep a secret!
Let's go back a few days and start at the beginning.
I am going to get my wife something nice for Christmas this year. She has been kind enough this time to suffocate me with a mound of ideas to chose from. I will do this right this time. I will get her something she really wants, and it is going to be fantastic. Here is a list of things I have to pick from:
New lens for her digital camera (we have a Pentax K10D)
A large assortment of clothing from a catalogue she likes
An IPhone
Jewelry
New bedroom furniture
New personal Laptop
Bigger Ipod
She was even kind enough to put nice big circles around the items in the catalogue that she would wear. The only thing I have to do this time around, is pay for whichever item I decide on. This is going to be simple. How many times have you said that before? Exactly. Hence the story that follows...
It took several trips to the stores, looking at lenses, jewelry and other items before I settled on the IPhone. She has been extremely excited about getting one of these so this would be perfect. I had my son with me when we looked at them, and he told me "Daddy, this is cool". That sealed the deal. The IPhone is what it was going to be.
I went to the bank the next morning and cashed the check that was going to pay for this gift. Since she does the checkbook I didn't want her to know what it was I was getting. Drew was so excited about the phone I thought it would be fun to take him with me. I picked him up from daycare and off a shopping we went. Drew helped me pick it out (even though there is only one kind now) and even helped pay for it by handing the money to the clerk.
We took the phone home where I promptly picked the perfect hiding spot for it. This was one place my wife would NEVER think to look. I hid it at the front of one of my comic storage boxes. Then it was time to sit Drew down and talk about how we are not going to tell mommy what we got her. He said he understood and he would not tell her. My kid would never give away a secret...would he?
That night we were all sitting downstairs watching a movie and Drew kept whispering in my ear "Daddy, I am not going to tell mommy about the IPhone." I had to remind him several times that we do not tell mommy, and that we needed to not talk about it at all. We made it through the entire night without any spilling of the beans. That had to have been 3 of the longest hours of trying to censor everything that came out of his mouth.
Wednesday is the start of my work week. I don't have to be in to the office until 1:00pm so my wife leaves long before I do. This particular morning she decided I should take our son to daycare instead of her. She left, trying not to wake either of us. I woke up, got both Drew and I showered, dressed and ready to go. We went downstairs to get our coats and hit the road and what do I find? My wife was kind enough to bring my son's heavy winter coat and gloves in that I had left in her car the day before. Normally this would have been great, but not this time. Not only did she bring in the coat and gloves, but she also brought in something I forgot in the car.
THE RECEIPT FOR THE IPHONE!!!!!!
Last night my wife activated her new IPhone, and I am on the hunt for a new Christmas present.
At least the 4 year old in the family knows how to keep a secret. He is now accepting applications to the "Drew school of secret keeping". I have a front row seat for the next seminar.
I am going to get my wife something nice for Christmas this year. She has been kind enough this time to suffocate me with a mound of ideas to chose from. I will do this right this time. I will get her something she really wants, and it is going to be fantastic. Here is a list of things I have to pick from:
New lens for her digital camera (we have a Pentax K10D)
A large assortment of clothing from a catalogue she likes
An IPhone
Jewelry
New bedroom furniture
New personal Laptop
Bigger Ipod
She was even kind enough to put nice big circles around the items in the catalogue that she would wear. The only thing I have to do this time around, is pay for whichever item I decide on. This is going to be simple. How many times have you said that before? Exactly. Hence the story that follows...
It took several trips to the stores, looking at lenses, jewelry and other items before I settled on the IPhone. She has been extremely excited about getting one of these so this would be perfect. I had my son with me when we looked at them, and he told me "Daddy, this is cool". That sealed the deal. The IPhone is what it was going to be.
I went to the bank the next morning and cashed the check that was going to pay for this gift. Since she does the checkbook I didn't want her to know what it was I was getting. Drew was so excited about the phone I thought it would be fun to take him with me. I picked him up from daycare and off a shopping we went. Drew helped me pick it out (even though there is only one kind now) and even helped pay for it by handing the money to the clerk.
We took the phone home where I promptly picked the perfect hiding spot for it. This was one place my wife would NEVER think to look. I hid it at the front of one of my comic storage boxes. Then it was time to sit Drew down and talk about how we are not going to tell mommy what we got her. He said he understood and he would not tell her. My kid would never give away a secret...would he?
That night we were all sitting downstairs watching a movie and Drew kept whispering in my ear "Daddy, I am not going to tell mommy about the IPhone." I had to remind him several times that we do not tell mommy, and that we needed to not talk about it at all. We made it through the entire night without any spilling of the beans. That had to have been 3 of the longest hours of trying to censor everything that came out of his mouth.
Wednesday is the start of my work week. I don't have to be in to the office until 1:00pm so my wife leaves long before I do. This particular morning she decided I should take our son to daycare instead of her. She left, trying not to wake either of us. I woke up, got both Drew and I showered, dressed and ready to go. We went downstairs to get our coats and hit the road and what do I find? My wife was kind enough to bring my son's heavy winter coat and gloves in that I had left in her car the day before. Normally this would have been great, but not this time. Not only did she bring in the coat and gloves, but she also brought in something I forgot in the car.
THE RECEIPT FOR THE IPHONE!!!!!!
Last night my wife activated her new IPhone, and I am on the hunt for a new Christmas present.
At least the 4 year old in the family knows how to keep a secret. He is now accepting applications to the "Drew school of secret keeping". I have a front row seat for the next seminar.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Ahhhh bachelor life!
A few weeks ago my wife informed me that she was going to have to travel for work. She would be flying out on Monday morning for Las Vegas (damn her for not taking me!). Then from there she would be going to Portland and then on to Seattle (again I shall damn her!). She would be gone from Monday until Thursday late afternoon.
So, this past Monday I drove my wife to the airport and began my 4 days of bachelorhood. I had made arrangements for my parents to take my son Drew up to their cabin with them for the week. They would pick him up Tuesday morning and I would be home alone. No kid. No wife. Just me and the freedom to do whatever I wanted.
I can stay up as late as I want. I can sit in my chair and do nothing by play Warcraft all day long if I so choose. I can eat junk food, drink beer, not shower, watch hockey, play hockey, and not have to do any house work. It was going to be 4 days of me time. I was actually looking forward to this. I even went so far as to tell my boss that I would not be in on Wednesday or Thursday just so I can sit at home and enjoy my new found freedom.
I had big plans I tell you. This was going to be my week. I had plans, and they were not to be messed with. I was going to be the king of my domain!!!!!
It is Wednesday today, and I am at work. I played one game of hockey, had hockey on TV in the background while I did dishes, vaccumed, and did laundry. I was in bed by midnight both Monday and Tuesday nights, and more than likely will be tonight as well. There has been no beer consumption, and I made sandwiches for food, and left over pot roast my wife made. I did play a little warcraft, but only a couple hours worth.
I am no good on my own.
So, this past Monday I drove my wife to the airport and began my 4 days of bachelorhood. I had made arrangements for my parents to take my son Drew up to their cabin with them for the week. They would pick him up Tuesday morning and I would be home alone. No kid. No wife. Just me and the freedom to do whatever I wanted.
I can stay up as late as I want. I can sit in my chair and do nothing by play Warcraft all day long if I so choose. I can eat junk food, drink beer, not shower, watch hockey, play hockey, and not have to do any house work. It was going to be 4 days of me time. I was actually looking forward to this. I even went so far as to tell my boss that I would not be in on Wednesday or Thursday just so I can sit at home and enjoy my new found freedom.
I had big plans I tell you. This was going to be my week. I had plans, and they were not to be messed with. I was going to be the king of my domain!!!!!
It is Wednesday today, and I am at work. I played one game of hockey, had hockey on TV in the background while I did dishes, vaccumed, and did laundry. I was in bed by midnight both Monday and Tuesday nights, and more than likely will be tonight as well. There has been no beer consumption, and I made sandwiches for food, and left over pot roast my wife made. I did play a little warcraft, but only a couple hours worth.
I am no good on my own.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
The Truth is Out There
So, after 10 years of silence from the Chris Carter camp, the announcement finally came on Wednesday October 31st.
The return of X-Files!
The announcement from Fox studios confirms that there WILL be a new X-Files movie and production is to begin this December. It appears that they are shooting for a late July 2008 release. There are not a lot of details about the plot line, but it was confirmed that Duchovny and Anderson are both in. This is great news for fans of the show, like myself.
You can read a short article about it at Yahoo. There isn't much to the article, but hey if you don't want to believe me go read it.
I wonder if this came about due to Duchovny's new show Californication doing so well? I just finished watching the first season and I must say...I am hooked. For those of you who have not watched this yet...SHAME, I say SHAME on you. This is one of those shows that is a must see if you like shows that deliver wonderful characters, great plot twists, and pushes the boundaries of acceptable.
The return of X-Files!
The announcement from Fox studios confirms that there WILL be a new X-Files movie and production is to begin this December. It appears that they are shooting for a late July 2008 release. There are not a lot of details about the plot line, but it was confirmed that Duchovny and Anderson are both in. This is great news for fans of the show, like myself.
You can read a short article about it at Yahoo. There isn't much to the article, but hey if you don't want to believe me go read it.
I wonder if this came about due to Duchovny's new show Californication doing so well? I just finished watching the first season and I must say...I am hooked. For those of you who have not watched this yet...SHAME, I say SHAME on you. This is one of those shows that is a must see if you like shows that deliver wonderful characters, great plot twists, and pushes the boundaries of acceptable.
The show is centered around Duchovny's character Hank Moody. Hank is a writer, or as he likes to call it Non-practicing writer, who seems to be on a self destruct path. He has an ex-girlfriend with whom he has a preteen daughter. The ex is living with, and engaged to the man she left Hank for. Hank seems to be obsessed with sleeping with every hot girl he meets, drinks too much, smokes too much, and all the while is still madly in love with, and trying to win back his ex. You then add in his agent and his strange relationship with his secretary, and the agents wife who is just a few choice words away from a truck driver. Top this off with the ex's boyfriend's 16 year old sex crazed daughter who has a dark secret about Hank...and you get some fantastic stories.
Bottom line - GO WATCH CALIFORNICATION!
Okay, back to X-Files. I am really looking forward to a new installment in this franchise. For me once Mulder, or Scully left the show it was over. This proved so true when Duchovny left the show. Yes I know he came back in a few episodes, but it wasnt the same. Don't get me wrong, I thought Robert Patrick and Annabeth Gish did a fantastic job filling in those shoes, but it wasnt X-Files any more. I dont think I even watched the last season in full due to this.
The good news about the new movie is that it is all the original cast. The script was written by series veteran Frank Spotnitz and series creater Chris Carter. Carter is also set to direct this so it should be more along the lines of the first season.
I can't wait!
NEW!!!!!
This day just gets better and better. My wife just found an article that says FOX has just picked up a 7 episode season of a new Joss Whedon series called Dollhouse. You can read the article HERE!
Joss Whedon AND Eliza Dushku again? It took me several years AFTER season 7 to finally force myself to watch Buffy. It took me about 4 episodes and I was hooked. I never watched it when it was on because I thought way they show was done was too cheesy. After finishing all 7 season I take back everything negative I ever said about the show. In typical Joss fashion...the characters were very interesting and engrossing, and the plot and stories were fun.
This is going to be a must watch for me. Firefly was one of the greatest shows to come along in a long time. This show was cut way too short. I still hold out hope that we might see another Firefly movie, or better yet that Sci-Fi channel might pick it up. I know this is a pipe dream at this poing, but at least we have some good news that Joss is doing something new.
I have also been reading Joss's Astonishing X-Men, Runaways, and his season 8 Buffy comic series. I am a huge fan of his writing and his characters.
And just to get the hype going for me....I present Eliza:
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