The Midnight Snack

Ya ya ya...so it's a bit after midnight. Anyway.

In late breaking news, experts have said that the Mammoth is poised for a comeback in the near future. Yes, I mean the big hairy animal of yesteryear. Not biting?

"The woolly mammoth could be brought back from extinction using sperm extracted from animals encased in ice."

but how, you ask?

"The idea would be to inject mammoth sperm, assuming it could be retrieved, into the eggs of female elephants."

as far as why...you're on your own there.

Snacktime's over, and I'm a bit off my oddy knocky...and so now it's time to retire.

Do not pass Google...in fact, don't even cross it.

"To Google, or not to Google?"

That is the question posed my many a legal conjurer.

According to dictionary.com: to 'google' is to search for information about a specific person through the Google search engine.

Last month, 'google' (note the lowercase 'g') won a spot in Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.

Other examples abound...

Oi, but here's the rub. In an uncharacteristic move Google has lashed out at the media, respectfully asking them to refrain from use of their trademarked name as a verb. Here's a thought...why?

Was Xerox bothered when the name of its product became synonymous with photocopying?

Did kleenex shed a tear when the term 'tissue' went out of vogue?

Did Christmas care when we officially re-named it?

Ok. Yes. Google needs to protect itself and its intellectual property. But this has encouraged copyright-happy Apple to follow suit, leading my mind to wander to places I'd nay visited before.

Can Creative hit us with a copyright for the word zen? What about ask.com? Heck, I know there are others - and I'm just drawing me a blank right now. Can y'all think of any?

Oh, and by the way: Googdesk, anyone?

[note* insert witty title here before publishing]

Good monday, good tidings, and all around good times to you and yours on this fine August 14.

It strikes me that this would be a good time to address the thing that I'm suuuure you're all curious about: my travel plans.

Will I still be going on a roadtrip across the country? ...yes. But in an effort to avoid the cruel midwestern sun - I love AC (note: AC is NOT a city in Jersey) - I'll be waiting until the fall & the calm repose it brings...mmm...football.

Will I still be coming back from said roadtrip? ...as my grandmother would say - it's depend.

There. Now that that's out in the open.

This weekend, The Rebel Yell will be blogging live (via BlackBerry) from glamorous Montreal, Canada. Follow various scandalous exploits here...and maybe on Cops Canada & Canada's Most Wanted.

See you in the funny pages...

The 'What The?!?' Award of The Week

I really wanted to have something borderline witty to say here, but...

...no...

...just the photo does the trick, methinks.

You know the deal - funny pages and all that...

A Minor Musing...

ed: I heart blogging.
lo: I told you you would.
lo: you just didn't listen.
lo: that's quite common w/ you.
ed: i dont heart listening

I [link] I like you, but you like this whole room...

Chinese Barfights!

"Chinese can unleash pent-up anger at a bar that lets customers attack staff, smash glasses and generally create trouble."

Chuck Norris bridges The Danube !!

"A newbridge in Hungary could be named after the action film actor Chuck Norris unless the trend turns in an internet vote organised by ministry for the economy."

Smurfs Arrested !!!

"TwoSmurfs were arrested by police in New Zealand for stealing a trampoline."

No. You read all of those correctly.

And don't get me started on

Spoon-wielding Mexican women or

the "kind" voices of female telephone operators.

Today's links have been brought to you by Scotsman.com

See you in the funny pages...

If you're reading this...

If you're reading this, then I've successfully posted my very first moblog entry via blackberry.

A'boogie.

"See you in the funny pages..."
www.TheRebelYell.org

Breaking news from the BBC...and Gizmodo

"Just under one-fourth of DVD sales by 2010 will be high definition discs"

At least according to one study (bbc.com). This isn't like cd's, or regular old fashioned digital video discs - this is 1080p for 1080p's sake.

Sure, I'd love to replace my DVD library with the new discs - but which one to choose? Blu-Ray? I do like the color blu. But what about HD DVD? Isn't there room for a little love there, too?

As far as I'm concerned, Sony and Toshiba (among others) - you should be ashamed of yourselves. When two media juggernauts like yourselves go to war over ownership of the new standard in home video formatting - it's US that lose out. Because you two don't feel like getting along - you're forcing studios and retailers into deals that, in the long term, may end up keeping your discs out of the hands of people who don't want to fork up $30/movie (not to mention the cost of the player - one for each format - and the 1080p-capable television, without which this is all useless).

The biggest question still looms. Which one of you two is the Betamax of a new generation.

See you in the funny pages...

Pre-Midnight, Midnight Snack

I'm not sure that I'm qualified to enjoy this song anymore, being that I spend most of my day in a Gi (essentially pajamas) hitting things (...yea), and teaching others to hit things - but it still made me laugh.

In any event, enjoy!

Temptation thy name is...

...it's BlackBerry ok?

Since getting my mitts on this little sucker, I've not been able to put it down.

When I'm driving, there it is. Staring back at me with it's sultry LED. Asking...no...demanding that I pay it heed while doing 80 on I-95.

Have I been outbid on that lamp on eBay?
What new music came out on iTunes today?
Did Yanni write back about the carpool plans for next weekend's trip?
Will GCalSync ever work properly?


In an effort to get a bit more Zen (no I don't mean the new theme) - I'll leave you with this BlackBerry haiku:


BlackBerry don't you see
You're what's troubling me now
Gosh it hurts so good.

Where you (are)?

Hi Folks. This is just a quick hit to respectfully ask y'all to add yourselves to The Rebel Yell's new map on Frappr.

You can get to it by clicking the nifty little "Where you at?" link in the right hand menu - or just click here, to open the map in a new window/tab.

Oh, right. Once you're there, the "Add Yourself" option is up top and to the right. Feel free to add some photos to the slideshow (just please keep it somewhere under NC-17...we've got kiddies about).

Aboogie.

Family Guy Unplugged

Just a litle sumthin sumthin I came across during this morning's blog-crawl.

Enjoy!

The 'New' Rocketboom: Hit or miss?

I'm not really one for calling out what I think may be 'failings' of a sort, out there in the world wide blog/vlog world...ok...yes I am, and with good reason it would seem...

A while back I started avidly watching Rocketboom (for those of you unfamiliar with it, check out the wiki entry here).

For a while, it was good. Then for a while, it was great. Much of this was due to original host Amanda Congdon's throughly delectable demeanor. Ms. Congdon has an uncanny talent for mixing her natural aptitudes in satire and sarcasm with just enough skill as a 'newscaster' to let slip by unnoticed the fact that you've just watched a 3 minute video about omnidirectional forklifts.

But for whatever reason, all that has changed.

In a 'classic' he-said, she-said mud-slinging-via-blog match, Congdon was/says she was unceremoniously dismissed from Rocketboom. What gives?

The rub lies here: sure, new host Joanne Colan is good times. Sure she's just as easy on the eyes. But what the hell is wrong with Rocketboom lately? Ok - yes, I do think it's interesting that Iraqi taxi drivers are vlogging. I do think that famed olympic sport of speedwalking is funny to watch Colan engage in, especially somewhere in Central Park. But c'mon. Where are the cheesy production values that I'd come to adore? Where are the shots of Joanne Colan spinning around in that chair, in front of that world map?

Don't get me wrong, I'm still giving Rocketboom a chance becauseI'm all for trying new things, but Rocketboom, if y'all don't pick up the pace real soon - you'll be off my iTunes Podcasts list quicker than Amish folk on a BlackBerry.

See you in the funny pages...

I Am of 'The Hype'

Funny title for a post? (hm)

I did something today that, after swearing off my Palm PDA last year, I swore I'd ne'er do again - succumb to the smart-phone craze

Well. To heck with all of that. I'm a proud crack-berry owner now. In fact - look for live posts from the road (if I can figure out how to get that to work), in the near future.

To all of you that may be disappointed in me - get over it. And to me, who swore he'd never be caught reading emails via scroll wheel in traffic - just embrace it, man.

See you in the funny pages...(as long as they're mobile funny pages)

Out, out darn spot!

A health drink firm I've never heard of before recently commissioned a survey to determine the 100 things folks find most annoying.

Not that I couldn't think of a few things to add to this list - but it hits a large number of my peeves right on the head.

Some notable items:

#4. James Blunt
#28. Noisy Eaters
#33. Novelty Ring Tones

...and the obligatory
#67. People who write 'text back' in texts

Text yo...err...see you in the funny pages...

I Like The Way You (L)ink

The Top 10 Manliest Superheroes of All Time
Can't say that I agree 100% - but good effort!
(Bam!Kapow!)

The 10 Best Will Ferrell Skits
How'd they narrow this down to just 10?
(cracked.com)

Kim Cattrall's Banned Nissan Commercial
Sex and the sedan. A losing combination.
(askmen.com)

The Biggest Thing In The Universe

"Japanese astronomers have discovered what they call the largest object in the universe"

Apparently the biggest the universe has to offer is a big blog...err...blob of goo shaped like the gunk from that Flubber movie.

Now riddle me this: what's more shocking, the fact that the universe is spawning eerie blobs of ecto-goop - or the fact that I just referenced Flubber?

See you in the funny pages...

The Rebel Facelift

The Rebel Yell is sporting a new look. Take a gander, and then take some time to tell us what you think?

Looking for the proverbial "More, more, more"? - well, ask and ye shall...ummm...get.

The "What The?!?" Award of The Week

This week's "What The?!?" goes out to you, Ms. Stacy Ferguson of Black Eyed Peas fame. What the hell were you thinking when you

a)"wrote" this song,

b)"spoke" this song

c) felt the need to grind up on a Royal Guard (yes we've all thought it, but no-one actally does it)

So thanks, Fergie. Thanks for putting up in plain sight everything that's wrong with music (though I don't know that your "song" really counts), "pop", and the good 'ol feminine mystique.

This has been your "What The?!?" Award of The Week.

See you in the funny pages.

Now about the 'break'...

I want to take a moment and personally apologize for The Rebel Yell's absence over the past week.

Rest assured that this won't be let to slide again. Those parties directly responsible for the blogging break have been dealt with appropriatley,and won't be a problem from this point on.

In other words, the Boss told me what's what, and to cut the jibber-jabber.

Needless to say, and as you can see, it hurt me a lot more than it hurt you.

But now we're back. Beter than ever(?)and poised to satiate your pop appetites...even the lone reader from Notre Dame. You know who you are.

Up next, look for the addition of a Frappr map, so's all you Rebel Yellers can tell me 'where you at'.

See you in the funny pages...

Insanely Cool Guitar Tapping. Really.

Please watch this. Never have I ever seen a guitar tapped like this one. Wow.

Top 50 Movie Endings...EVER?

It's a big undertaking, but FilmCritic.com has tried to make a big, fat, juicy list of the best movie endings ever.

I agree with a lot of it, but where are the little gems like Secret Window, Layer Cake, and heck - even American Psycho was left off the list (Probably due to the inclusion of A Clockwork Orange...Alex DeLarge and Patrick Bateman are like the Ashley Judd and Charlize Theron of "ultraviolent" sin-ema. There really is NO proof that they're not the same person.

That said, take a few moments to peruse the list here, and let me know what you think back here.

See you in the funny pages...

The "What The?!?" Award of The Week

Yes. Ok. This is a bit late. But in fairness, I've been watching this video for a while (usually while taking breakfast...at a time more consistent with what most of you would call lunch).

Tunak Tunak!

Venom!

Wow.

That's really all I've got to say after seeing this picture, and watching Popoholic's crappy video from San Diego.

Thank goodness for Sam Raimi and his reverence toward Spidey. Singer, take notes will ya? No Spider-Boy, here.

Between Spidey 3, Transformers, and the next installement of Pirates - I may need to look for a job at the cinema - or at least dust off the old student ID for discount tickets.

See you in the funny pages...

Oh, right - and props to Popoholic for the break...

Things found in the basement

While cleaning out the boiler room of my house this morning, I came across this delightful trinket.

Not only did this make me long for the days of yesteryear (Trivial Pursuit over the headsets, football on the dock, "full timers") - but it also forced me to realize one pseudo-highly-important thing (well...almost), like Shakira said: "Whenever, wherever" - it's TRU-4-life.

It still remains to be seen if this is a blessing, or a curse.

See you in the funny pages...

The "What The?!?" Award of The Week

This week's "What The?!?" goes out to Pirates 2. Not only did this movie keep me thoroughly engrossed and entertained for the whole 2.5 hours, but it did so without ever once making me wish that movies still had intermissions.

So why the "What The?!?", you ask?

Here's the skinny, folks. I liked this movie MORE than Superman Returns. That's right. The comic book geek inside me notwithstanding, Pirates 2 was a better flick.

So again, "What The?!?". As in, after all this time waiting for Big Blue to bow, the film about eyepatches, dead-men's chests, and Johnny Depp wins out?

Does this statement un-make me as a fanboy? Am I to be banished to the Pit of Carkoon, and held at the mercy of Sarlacc? (that statement alone should be enough for my atonement)

And who the hell cares about Jessica Biel's hair, anyway?

See you in the funny pages...

And Short-Cuts For All!

In what is, like, TOTALLY the most controversial news in, like, a wicked long time. Super-hottie Jesse Biel has cut her hair!

I'm not, like, really sure how I feel about this. But, like, maybe she just needed a change?

You GO, girl!

For the Cyber-Stalker in all of us...

That's right folks. Not only can you do the whole American Pie thing and use your webcam for less than honorable endeavors, but now you can spy on your neighbors too!

Using this little trinket you can bridge that 20' gap between you and the Girl-Next-Door's window with the the click of your mouse, and a scroll of your...wheel.

Laptop: $1,400.

USB webcam with telescoping lens: $26.

Finding out the Girl-Next-Door is into cardio stripping: priceless...

The Man of The Moment

I'd like to take a moment to introduce a new weekly feature from The Rebel Yell: The Man of The Moment Award.

This award is sure to draw the ire of critics and fanboys alike, and as The Rebel Yell loves to stir the proverbial pot, we're going to kick off this weekly dig by awarding the first "Man of The Moment" Award to Mr. Eyebrows-of-Power himself, Peter Gallagher.

Gallagher earns this honor through no fault of his own, but rather by having uttered one of the most memorable lines in the litany of 1990s cinema (in this movie).

So tell me, Peter...do you like getting nailed by the king?

"10 Best Places To Hang Out Once You’ve Lost Your Job"

The title really does say it all, but here's the link to the actual list:

Top 10

Among my personal favorites are #9: College Campuses, #6 In Back of Chinese Restaurants, & the inevitable #5: Train Bathrooms.

Make certain to check back as I explore this list from #10 all the way to #1. I promise to try and blog live on location at least once. maybe from #2.

Thanks for reading. This blog entry has been brought to you by the letter "S" & the number "10"

See you in the funny pages...

Good News and Bad News

On the one hand there's this. Yep. It looks like it's finally going to happen. And as long as Sir Sean is in, so am I.

Then on the flipside is this tasty morsel. Honesly Sly, why?

The "What The?!?" Award of the week.

As is usually the case, the World Cup Final yesterday was not without controversy. In an uncharacteristically brutal move, Zinedine Zidane used his cleanly shaven noggin to strike an Italian player's chest.

This is certainly not unheard of, but c'mon Z. With 2 minutes left to play in the World Cup Final, with 2 minutes left to play in your storied career, what the hell were you thinking?

Shame on you, Zinedine - you've turned a long time fan into a disheartened has-been...something you're sure to understand more about as you exit the world soccer stage.

This has been your "What The?!?" award of the week.

The first day of the rest of my life.

Here it is. The inevitable end to the best run I've had these few short years of mine.

"Laid off" sounds like such a dirty pair of words, full of bad connotations and ill-will, that I'm hesitant to use the phrase. How about "said so long" or "see you soon"?

In any event, today is the first day of my pseudo-retirement, and as such I think it important that I make note of my intentions:

1) Drive cross country. (details to follow in further posts)

2) While driving cross country, write. Maybe do the writing on the breaks I take from driving - even though I can probably steer with one hand and type with the other...or maybe I should get me a nifty little speech-to-text tool?

3) While writing, actively pursue avenues to publishing and distribution of said written works.

4) "Explore my opportunities" / "Find My self" (no that's not a typo)

5) wash. rinse. repeat.

Whew. So there they are. 5 objectives to guide me on this summer of living dangerously.

See you in the funny pages...

Daytime Drama - July 7th 2006

Godfather-inspired throw pillows
(yes, you know exactly where this is going).

Breakdancing with Mr. T

Jessica Alba's audition for the part of Elvira.

How to talk like a pirate.

World Cup 2006
(not many care, but those that do - do quite a bit...)

What my friends are saying...

My sometimes co-worker, now my friend has awarded the title "Silliest USB Gadget EVER!!!" to this nifty little piece of USB-powered goodness.

But ay, here's the rub...can you really love a USB-pig, if it doesn't dance?

The "What The?!?" Award of The Week:

This week's "What The?!?" goes to Swiss mouse manufacturer Pat Says Now (and FabStuff.net for the assist).

Now I'm as keen on cool USB stuff as the next guy, but is this really the only thing left for folks to come up with?

What are your thoughts?

Keira Knightley. 'Nuff said.

This is one of the rare occasions where I'm going to call attention to a celeb I tend to think highly of: Keira Knightley.

Keira at the premier of Pirates II

Blue tights. Red cape. Minivan?

Ok folks. Here it is. It’s the moment both of you have been waiting for.

I saw it last night, and I’ve got to tell you…”eh”.

Not that I didn’t love the homage so respectfully paid to Christopher Reeve. Not that I didn’t get positively giddy at the sight of Brandon Routh flying through the skies above Metropolis. Not that I didn’t adore every second of this film --- but still, I say “eh”.

Part of me wants to write an entry entitled “Who the Hell Does Bryan Singer think he is?!” Another part of me wants to pat him on the back and say “Well done. I’m glad it was you and not some chump who doesn’t get why making this film is bigger than anything they’ve ever done.” And then there’s the part of me that just wants to change my shorts, because I just watched a guy in tights grab hold of a plane, land it in a field – and then get stuck in a revolving door because he can’t figure out how to talk to a girl.

I’m trying not to give too much away, and so I think I’ll just leave you with this. As far as thumbs go, right now it’s one up & one halfway (though if I tell myself the piano just slipped across the floor because the boat tipped – it’s two thumbs up, up and away).

Nope, I'll be standing by my “eh” (An esteemed fanboy-colleague of mine thinks that after another day of thought, I’ll change my tune – but I’m not so certain.), and until that changes – love for all things Superman aside – I pose the following question to all of you who’ve seen the film: “If he wasn’t in it, would the story have really suffered?” (go to the cineplex, see the thing, and then respond).

See you in the funny pages…

Spider-Hat Trick

It's here people. Spider Man 3: The Teaser Trailer.

Watch and Marvel?

Wonder Woman Whaaa?

Great Shades of Elvis. As if Joss Wheden doing Wonder Woman wasn't delightful enough, now we may have a Routh'd casting?

Let me explain. To "Routh" is to cast an unknown in a big role that's sure to catapult the actor to celebrity's higher strata. As in, no Kelso you can't play Superman.

Sure, this could certainly go the way of Kevin Smith writing a Superman movie...but here's one fanboy hoping Whedon stays the course and Rouths it up...

See you in the funny pages...

You know the night time...

What's playing on your pants?

This is the question I find myself pondering this fine Tuesday morning. I've heard (from various credible sources) that there are, indeed, people out and about forcing others to watch videos live on their midsection.

This begs the question of relevance. Is what's playing on your belt buckle better than what's playing on mine? Does your waist play CNN, or is it more of a Fox News kind of guy? Does it play E!(?). Does it stream the latest Google Video to make it to #1, or does it screen pirated movies, fresh of your favorite Bit Torrent index?

Maybe this is the next frontier for pirate-buffs. Maybe the MPAA should spend less of their time chasing Swedes, and more of it on herding up the LA rabble who are probably the jackasses wearing these things in the first place. Maybe these crotch-vid jockeys (minds out of the gutter, now...) are the next, logical step in the evolution of content piraters.

I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to a private(s) screening of Superman Returns on a midsection near me real soon. Just make sure to get on that ab-roller...obstructed views are a bitch...

See you in the funny pages...

It's Blogtastic...

Ok. I know. Enough with the "blog" influenced titles. Well, maybe a few more. But once people actually start reading this thing, I'm sure I'll have to stop...

Road trip plans continue. So far on the list of detinations: Niagra Falls, The Four Corners, Badlands, Kansas, and Vegas (which is most hazardous to my health?)

As far as the rest of it, I'm open to suggestions about what the heck to see between Chi-town, and the Pacific. Being from the east coast, for me the country goes Boston, New York, Chicago, then LA the heck is MST, anyway?).

In other news, we're now just 36 hours away from the the premier of you-know-what - and I think it's pretty clear what that means: digital filming makes for easy bootlegs, kiddies...

I'll leave you this morning with this comic-related thingy...

See you in the funny pages...

Blah blah blog...

Ok. I know I've harped enough about Superman Returns - but I haven't been this excited about a movie since...well...since ever, really. Sure X-Men, Spider-Man, and Batman Begins were great, but this is Superman. This is blue tights, a red cape, underwear-on-the-outside, and big red boots.

The film is rumored to be running around 2 hours 23 minutes, and that's damn fine with me. You can expect a full fledged review as soon as I see the flick on June 27th (yah, that's right, June 27th).

On to an unrelated topic. Can we take a few moments to discuss this. It's certainly not a little known fact that I'm a big fan of Hollywood Tuna, and "news" like this is why. Thanks, Tuna...

What's more: how about this. David, if you're not sure about this one - trust me, I'll step right on up...

I'll leave you today with this parting link. Don't say I never gave you nothing.

See you in the funny pages...

All you see is Blog...

I recently heard (from a very trustworthy source) that a man's laptop attacked him during a conference. No, really. The laptop attacked him.

What the hell does this have to do with The Rebel Yell, you ask? Not a whole lot. But c'mon, a laptop exploded on some guy, and I'm not going to point that out?

In other news. Check out the updated home page for some new comic reviews, and stay tuned for more content to come. Since being laid off I've finally found the time needed to bring the most important news from across the globe together, and get it to you in the sleekest, sexiest way I can --- through my website (?)

Keep checking back for the upcoming photo and video sections of the site - including the Montreal Nergileh Competition (now banned in 36 states!) & as well as regularly updated reviews of your favorite films, shows, and comics.

See you in the funny pages...

No one cares about your Blog...

Shockingly true. I started this whole thing with the mind to raise my voice about movies, tv, music, etc...But here's the thing: who cares what I have to say? Is the blog a living record of a writer's rants? Or are the rants a living record of the writer?

In any event. I plan to keep doing this. Every day. Every other day. A post from every state of the cross country trip?

See you in the funny papers...

Today is gonna be the day...

I've been thinking about doing the whole 'cross-country' drive thing for a while now. I don't know why the American Midlands hold such a fascination for me, but it suffices to say that they...umm...decidedly do.

Recent circumstances (my slow and steady march toward unemployment) being what they are have provided me the time to finally do this, and so here I go. Off to Kansas, to the Dakotas, and to the Four Corners (I'll def need to remember the camera...).

Along the way I'll be writing, posting, and showing off photos from the road - so check back and see where the interstate takes me --- it should be a heck of a ride.

See you in the funny pages...

PS - I promise, no trouser-less codgers this time through....