Batman – The Dark Knight

First, let me apologize for being so late in my review of this movie.  I had to get some sleep before I came to work this morning.  I am not like a lot of the rabid fanboys that rushed home to their computers to blog about this movie.

That being said, now that I have had some sleep and I had the time to digest the latest in the Batman movie Mythos, it was #%^&ing awesome! 

I arrived at the movie theater for the midnight showing at 10PM last night.  At that time, there were already about 20 people in front of me and some of those arrived in costumes of the Joker, Harley Quinn, Scarecrow and Catwoman.  (Note:  Very chunky women – do not try to pull off a Catwoman outfit!  It will never work!) 

During the two hour wait the crowd remained calm but there was lots of talk about the movie, how great it was going to be, what spoilers my lie in the movie, etc…  I, for the most part, filtered it out.  I already had my knowledge of the movie firmly in place and did not want others that read this or that on the Internet to spoil it for me. 

What was killing me during my wait was my wife.  She was to meet me in the line after the babysitter arrived.  The babysitter was to be there at 11AM and we are only 10 minutes from the theater.  She did not arrive until 11:45.  I had to wait in line for 2 hours!  I had to save a seat for her for 2 hours!  I had to piss for 1 hour!  Oh Boy was I mad at her!  I should have just embarrassed her and whipped it out in the seats and into a cup.  I’ve been known to do things like that to her before!

So on to the movie!  I am not going to give any spoilers or detail the movie but let me just tell you this, if you are on the fence about seeing this movie then you have to go!  DO NOT WAIT FOR THE DVD!!!!!  Go now!  The two villains are the Joker and Two Face!  The villains steal the show!  It was superb writing that made this movie.  The explanation of the Joker and Two Face and how they have come into being, the growth of the characters throughout the movie and their development was brilliant. 

This was a very well written story.  The subtle one liners of the Joker are going to become movie quotes that people will repeat for years.  Heath Ledger took the character of the Joker to places that none of the other Jokers has in the past.  Even before his death, I read on the Internet and saw leaked clips that blew me away because of his performance.  Even if Ledger was alive, this movie would still blow people away with his performance. 

The movie is 2 hours and 37 minutes and the whole time the movie is nonstop.  The movie flows quickly and naturally and you don’t even have the chance to notice that it is a long movie and when it ends you are disappointed that it doesn’t go for another 2 more hours. 

My wife, who is not a big comic book geek or super hero fan really enjoyed this movie. 

One last thing that, in my opinion, makes this movie so good is the fact that everything in the movie makes you think that this is something that could happen in real life.  The cars, the guns, the bat-toys, the criminal element, the technology, etc…  It could all be real in today’s world. 

For those that have not yet seen it – Go!!!  It is well worth the money!  It is worth only gettin 3 hours of sleep!

I’ve Never Had A Big Mac

I was watching TV the other day and saw a commercial for McDonalds Big Mac and it got me to thinking that I have never had a Big Mac.  I have never had a Burger King Whopper either.

These are the signature sandwiches.  The main burgers.  The big meat!

They have never appealed to me. 

I don’t eat much fast food and when I do it is Panara Bread or Wendy’s. 

Now, suddenly, I have a curoisity to at least try one just to see what the big deal is. 

When I am forced to eat at one of these places I usually just get a double cheeseburger but now I am going to need to try a Big Mac and  Whopper.  Maybe I’ll try them together to not only try them out but to see which one is better. 

Am I odd to have never tried a Big Mac or a Whopper?

Aeorgarden III

I have talked about the Aerogarden that I received as a Christmas present in the past and talked about how great and successful the lettuce growing experience was.  I also talked about switching to and trying their herbsand I have to say that I like how well the herbs grew.  I have a lot of mint and basil and parsley.  The chives and cilantro did not survive the cat. 

I have nice full green herbs but I do have to comment that they are not very flavorful.  In fact, I found the dill, basil and parsley to be rather bland.  I was disappointed because of how lush and bright the leaves and plants appear. 

I have also found the herbs to be very thirsty.  They sure do suck down the water but they grow quickly and within a few weeks you can start using the herbs. 

I am going to pull out the herbs and move on to the next experiment of tomatoes.  I have a pack of them that I am anxious to begin.  I am hoping that they are as flavorful as the lettuce was. 

All in all, I do have to say that the Aerogarden is a good investment.

Silly Search Terms – Revisited – Again

It is that time to post a few of the amusing and funny search terms that have drawn traffic to my site or, as I affectionately refer to as “I can’t think of anything to write about so I will go to the old trusted standby of the funny and amusing search terms to find this silly little blog”. 

So without further ado……

Good Things That Have To Do With Animal – I so hope that this had nothing to do with kinky wild sex with donkeys, goats or any other animal.  I want them tested on, not molested on.

Can Dead Animals Be Used For Animal Test – If we test some new cancer treatment or antibiotic on the dead creature and it kills them, how will we ever know?

My Son’s Butthole Itches – So scratch it!

My Wife Peed In The Car. How Do I Get Th- Th what?!?!?  This is a story I am interested in hearing about.

Blogs of a Mad Man About Animal Testing – Oh Shit!  Now I am in for it.  PETA is on to me now.  

Then a few weeks later this search term crops up -

Markalan.wordpress Animal Product Testing- This is for real.  Someone actually used this exact search term.  I am now convinced that some animal rights group is on to me.  Pretty soon I am going to have Pam Anderson or Alicia Silverstone on my door step looking for me.    Hmmm…..  on second thought, that might not be a bad thing.  Spank me baby!  I’ve been a bad boy!  I’ve talked bad about animals.  Punish me as only you know how ladies!!!!

Kara Alien Abduction – I am not the only one they are looking for.  Kara is being searched out too.  I am not sure what I would rather, have PETA looking for me or Aliens. 

I Missed My Flight – And now that you have free time, you decided to read some blogs.  I’m touched.

 Lick My Lettuce – Um…..  Is this like a new sex slang?  Like a Roman Helmet or Dirty Sanchez?

Wanking+My+Son – There is so much wrong with this one.  I want it out!

Where Backflips And Front Flips Originate – I can tell you for a fact that it was not here at Idle Ramblings.  I can’t do them anymore.  The fat gods and age have caught up to me. 

 

Still Stuck In NYC

Yep, still here. 

So yesterday a few co-workers and I strolled through the city.  We started out walking through the neighborhood of Chelsea.  My co-worker J was curious about all of the blind people walking around with their canes and was inquisitive enough to ask the waitress in the diner we ate in “Are there really a lot of blind people here?”  To which I quickly countered, “This in New York, they are not really blind people, they are just creating the next new wave of style and chic.”

The waitress laughed and walked away leaving J without her answer.  When we left the diner, I had noticed that after we turned the corner, across the street was a Blind Center.  I pointed it out to J who, being very skeptical of anything I tell her (long story but she does have a good reason), asked how did I know that was the blind center.  I pointed out that it was the only building without windows so it had to be for the blind because what do they need windows for?  They can’t see anything.  I then pointed to the small sign that stated it was a blind center.

From Chelsea we walked down through the Village and Soho.  I love walking through the city on a nice day.  Everyone comes out and makes for great people watching. 

In New York, you will find people wearing the most…………………………….um…………………………….. interesting clothing.  They range from the very colorful to the barely there to the very bold.  Everyone was out and about yesterday.  I was thoroughly entertained and enjoyed the leisurely stroll.

I had a Corporate meeting out in Queens last night so a group and I made our way out there.  Since I had a car I was the driver for a lot of my fellow co-workers.  My job was to welcome some of the others and there was not a better way to greet everyone then to head to the bar and start a tab on someone else’s account.  That’s right!  I started a bar tab for 30 people on my boss’s boss tab.  We all were very social by the time dinner rolled around. 

After the meet and greet we headed to the conference room for dinner.  After working all week in NYC and having to work through the weekend, I felt the need to drink.  And drink I did.  I was not the only one that was interested in having a good time. 

After dinner and the meeting there was about a dozen of us that wandered back to the bar and what was on the TV but the Philadelphia Flyers beating the Montreal Canadians.  And how does any proud Philadelphian celebrate the Flyers  winning the series?  Yep!  Celebratory  beers.   A lot of beers. 

Our group dwindled down to about 4 by the time last call was called.  Not realizing that it was so late I tried to excuse myself so I could go to bed.  You see, I had to drive out to the Hamptons by 10 AM this morning.  That only left me to about 5 hours of sleep and 5 hours to sober up before starting work.  Needless to say, I felt like crap all day today and all I want to do is go to bed. 

So now that I have given another Rambling update, I can head to bed.

G’night all. 

Iron Man

When the Superman movie came out with Christopher Reeve, the greatest accolade, the greatest comment, bestowed upon it was that the movie made you believe that a man could fly. 

There has not been another movie like that since. 

Until today.

I saw Iron Man tonight and I was blown away!  This movie made me believe that man could fly again.  I was in awe throughout the movie.  This is the best comic book movie based on a Marvel character in a long time. 

I would also reccommend that you sit through all the credits at the end!  You’ll be glad you did.

People Watching

I like to people watch.  Anywhere people gather, malls, markets, parks, etc… are excellent place to watch people.  But the best place in all the world to watch people – New York City.

I’ve recently been working in the Big Apple and after work I hit the streets and wander through Manhattan just observing the people.  From Times Square to Central Park to the World Trade area there are plenty of places to just watch people.

People are fascinating to watch.  When in their natural state, people will do rather interesting things. 

I was walking down Madison Ave and decided to count people that just pick their nose.  While no one was full on digging their finger up to the second knuckle picking, there was the quick pickers, the wipers, the two finger two nostril cleaner and the pretend I am doing something else other than picking my nose picker.  In 5 blocks I came across 8 pickers. 

While strolling though Central Park this afternoon I observed couples kissing in the park.  Hetero couples and Homo couples.  Young couples and Old couples.  Public displays of affection was everywhere. 

Then at Times Square you have people everywhere taking pictures or filming theirselves against a backdrop of bright neon lights.  People walking with shopping bags overflowing with purchases from the stores.  If the country is in a recession, it is not occurring in Times Square.   There were people gathered in a circle watching an armless man doing back flips and front flips.  They would clap and cheer.  I was amazed that people found this as entertaining.

Then there are the people in line waiting for the doors to open on the Broadway shows.  People dressed in their finest and people that were dressed in their not so finest.  I overheard one lady proclaim that she was attending her 5th showing of the play.  Her 5th?  Did she not understand the play the first four times? 

People are wonderful.  People are interesting.  People are amusing. 

After an evening of people watching, I feel so much better about myself. 

When I Die

When I die, I want to be recycled.  In this age of green living, I want to do everything and anything I can to help save the planet.  Starting with my body.

I want my organs harvested and used.  I want to donate my organs to help others.  Any organ that cannot be transplanted to another body I want to donate to schools and universities to study and use in classroom learning.

I want my blood and fluids to be used and recycled too.  I don’t know if you can recycle blood, bile or urine but it is something that should be looked into.  Who knows what uses we could find for it.  Who knows, bile may be the next fuel source for cars.  Or milking my mucus for lubricants. 

I want my bones to be used for glue, or turned into fertilizer, or buttons for clothes or even used for a dogs chew toy. 

And my flesh, I would like my flesh to be cut from my bones and used to feed the homeless or used for dog food or something like that. 

I don’t think any part of me should be wasted.  I’ll be dead, so what do I care happens to my body.  But if we are going to recycle, let’s get serious!

In Loving Memory Of…………..

People handle grief in many different ways and people like to remember the dead in their own meaningful ways but what I don’t understand is people that will plaster across the rear windshield of their car a memorial with all the information of that individual which should be placed on the headstone, not rear window of a car. 

Driving into work this morning is a Dodge Magnum with a rear window full of what amounts to an obituary.  It was large writing, contained a picture/image of the deceased, birth and death dates and noting that the deseased was a loving cousin, sister, brother, mother, aunt, uncle, neighbor, homeroom mother, scout leader, gang member, father and animal lover.  

It was almost like it was being shoved down my throat that this person had died and I had better recognize!

I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but when something like this is shoved in my face, and no, I really could not avoid it as this vehicle was in front of me in bumper to bumper traffic, but when this is shoved in my face I guess I have to just vent about it. 

If you want people to read about  and remember the dead, place an obit in the newspaper like everyone else.

Philadelphia Soul – We’re Lucky Dogs

The Philadelphia Soul is an AFL Football team, for those that may not know.  I am a season ticket holder.  I have been now for a few years.  My wife and I go and have a great time.  We don’t get many dates out together much and this is one thing we both look forward to.

So we went to yesterday’s game and while in the main concourse we were stopped by a gentleman asking if we would be interested in “upgrading” our tickets.  I was skeptical at first, one because it seemed like an odd question and two, I really like where my season tickets are located.

The guy started to explain that we would be sitting down behind the end zone.  Again, I was reluctant because I have sat in end zone sections and I am not a big fan watching the game from those end zone seats because of the net and uprights that can be in your line of sight.  Then as the guy went through his explanation, I started to put two and two together and realized, before he even said the words, that he was talking about the two recliner seats that are part of the Aarons Lucky Dog seats that are in the end zone, below the uprights and the netting.  These seats are almost like sitting on the field. 

Of course my wife and I said yes and before the game started we were led down under the Wachovia Center and guided to the seats.  We then were introduced to Melissa (one of the game hosts) and briefed as to what will happen when she speaks to us and we are presented to the crowd.  My wife was nervous.  She is not someone that enjoys all eyes on her.  After our promo appearance we were able to relax and enjoy the game. 

I have to say that I always wondered what one had to do to win those seats and now I know that it is totally random and being lucky.  What a great way to watch a game. 

From those seats we saw tons of action, got close to the players and action on the field.  At the end of the game, for the last 3 minutes of the game, Soulman (the team mascot) sat with us and cheered on the Soul as the won their 5 game in a row this season. 

Rewatching the game (I DVR’d it) and putting it in perspective, it was not a very interesting game, it was a rather dull game.  Many penalties by both teams, Moten and Mance did not play well defensively for the Soul, in my opinion, and on field action was rather tame.  But being down there in those seats made it one of the best games I have ever attended. 

Thanks to the Soul for such a great promotion and giving to average fans the best seats in the house.