TMT...I'm Dynamite...TMT...And I'll Win The Fight...

Hey everyone. Just wanted to let you know that my first review has appeared on Tiny Mix Tapes. It's one you may have seen a while back, but edited and in fancy new duds. If you would care to check it out, go here:

Kern's Review

Today, Tiny Mix Tapes.

Tomorrow, probably still Tiny Mix Tapes, but I am totally fine with that.

B-day shots!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Today is our own Krysta Jo's birthday. She turns a whopping 27 today!!!!!!


We will need the wonky-eyed princess to tell us all that she has planned for the big day - I am sure Mr. Dan has arranged something marvelous for her.

HAPPY B-DAY KRYSTA!!!!

Yo

Pants are off... new Tiki!!!

Dr. Tiki has two lines that are pure gold... see if you can catch them.

Link to the right ->

Yo

And it burns burns burns...

Bio-pics are always a little tough. Taking someones life and summarizing it in two hours... having an actor portray a real character - attempting to match looks and mannerisms. Making a film that works as a piece of its own... and also a doorway into the famous individual's life. They are tricky flicks.

"Walk the Line" is one of the better ones.


Not only has Mangold handled the visuals of the film (the camera moves exactly right - the sound is perfect... you get chills as the camera moves into Folsom prison and you hear the thumping of the inmates and the band kicking around waiting for Cash!) in the proper way... but he has completely nailed telling the story of the birth of rock and roll with Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison... and Cash's tale! The film flies during the early years of J.R.'s burgeoning career and I really can't wait to experience all of that again. Of course there is the unfortunate downfall... the rough years - but the film does not stall.


"Walk the Line" is kind of the brilliant older brother of last years "Ray" a film that I openly disliked. The stories run waaaay similar ground (both open with life changing brother deaths and culminate with main character fighting through drug abuse) but "WTL" does everything right - and made me feel better about hating "Ray." Watch both back to back and see why one leaves you empty and tells you nothing of its character... it simply goes through the motions... and the other... has several beautiful moments... and gives you that glimpse into Cash's soul... or rather, the character that Phoenix creates!!


The real gold of the movie is Phoenix and Witherspoon. They have a scene together in a diner... talking after a show... I was blown away by it. The quiet of each person... speaking gently... realizing that they have so much they can say to one another... Holy crap it was good!!!!

Worthy of your $8 - I swear it!


Finally, the guys went out after the film to a new bar called Tonic. Hotties were definitely running amok and we enjoyed a round whilst scanning the West Des Moines crowd. Then suddenly, something magical and semi-world shaking happened to me... I was recognized from this Damfinoblog world!!!

Queen B was out partying it up and stopped by to introduce herself. It was odd because I had just asked Jerry "Who the hell is that girl? She looks familiar!!!"

Damfino groupies of the world unite - I will be appearing at Dan and Holly Stevens home tonight only!!!

Yo!

(note - Queen B is not really a groupie - I will require a beat down for my vanity!!!)

The pain of Lane

I am sad to say that last nights Gilmore Girls was probably the first ever episode that I just did not really enjoy. Drama has taken over... and since we have all waited to see the girls together again I think the major drama of this season really has taken its toll on my love of Ror and Lor.

It frustrates me that Rory can just waltz back into everyone's life and not even have to pony up for her bitchy selfish ways. Emily and Richard are going to be burned at the stake... and little Rory is gonna get patted on her spoiled head again. The Christopher money thing made me roll my eyes... and Lukes new daughter dillema is the shows first major mistake. Cliche - cheap - convienient... this was never Gilmore.

So now, we have a show that sprinkles on humor... covering a thick layer of standard TV drama. That sucks.


Thanksgiving has arrived... and I am already spent. We did our big dinner last weekend - now I am gonna simply float through. Perhaps sneak in some DVD viewing (though I have already finished off Scrubs season 2... mayhap some major Buffy viewing will be done!!!!).


HAPP Y THANKSGIVING FOLKS!!!

Yo

STOP BREATHING!!! New Tiki!

Lala and gang have returned... and teach of love!

Check out the link to the right ->

Yo!

I slept through Voldemort!

Dude! What a weekend!!!

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire took over our lives this past weekend. The Kreitner crew made the trip to Des Moines to celebrate the new movie opening... and to take part in a semi-Thanksgiving/ Potter Feast!!!

Drea did a helluva job of making my house into a fun filled land of Butter Beer, Wizardry hats and sugary sweets (and a few boogie beans!). The crew inhaled a meal of a 21 lb Turkey, a roasted chicken, a perfect roast - and loads of side dishes. Whilst cooking we viewed each of the previous films - then after dinner, ran out to see Goblet... which turned out to be amazing!!!

Another mind blowing weekend with very good friends... oh, and sorry about the gin-less Tom Collins. Oops.

Pics!


The fabulous Buttercup - her magical hat - and her man thing.


Jenni, Jed, and Josh add a little magic of their own to the wands (er wait, Josh fears paint - I am not sure what he is doing).


Kreitner - covered by two dementors!


Devin enjoys some enchanted tea...


Dev made this cool Potter pie - made with real midget blood!


Jenni shows off her streamer talents!


Jed continues to be a poser.


Caleb's wizzardry talents are shown as he starts a fire (lookit that cool Potter scar!!!).


This is my bird, Taintscrubber, and Jen's bird, Greenewith-Envy.


Those are snitches - I will take full credit on those!!!


The Sheriff carves Tommy, our lovely turkey.


The feast begins!!!!

I live for weekends like this - sad to see the Kreitner's leave again... but I always look forward to another journey with them - the next one has a lot to live up to.

Yo

P.S. Jenni slept through half of Goblet of Fire - and even missed the pinacle Voldemort scene... hee hee.

... that reminds me...

Since ol nut flop has brought up Arrested Development, a brilliantly hillarious now cancelled TV show, I thought it might be a good time to make sure everyone got with the program and assisted in keeping another hi-lar-i-ous show alive. Scrubs is going to be starting its 5th season this year - and sadly, I have only seen the entire first and fourth seasons. The show is an amazing combination of crazy slapstick and honest to God quite moving moments! It is another rare show that even when it is bad (which is not often) it is still fantastic!!!


Marching orders; start off at Amazon. Order both Season 1 and Season 2 of the series (they are relatively cheap, $28 or so) and settle in for 44 epidodes of gut busting comedy. The shows are short and are a nice way to cap off a day. Then, come January, when the series is set to return, be there every week. I am looking at you Flop.. your direction Sheriff... Wendy-lady... even Kern is probably guilty of not supporting this one!!!


Here are a few links to check out on your down time - Zach Braff built a blog during his production of Garden State and just started posting new stuff lately. He has a nice video update for us. The other link is to the Scrubs blog itself, sadly, it is done through the website IGN and is not handled that well - but there are about 9 videos to watch and they are well done.

Zach Braff blog
Scrubs video blog

Now - get out there... and make mama proud!!!!

Yo

SlickDeal: AD seasons 1 & 2 $32 shipped!

I'd forgotten to check www.slickdeals.net the last couple of days, and found this gem when looking today: Arrested Development Seasons One & Two $32 shipped!

It was posted Tuesday and looks like the deal is still good, so if you're interested, grab the deal before it expires or they run out of stock or something like that!!

Enjoy!

Dangerous times lie ahead...

Buttercup and I have combined our crazy creative minds and have come up with this celebration for the Harry Potter weekend. It is kind of a nice combination of Thanksgiving and Potter fun.

Those who cannot attend can look on in jealousy - for those who can... come for the day - take part in the cooking... the watching... all of the fun.

And then we will check out the Goblet of Fire!!

Yo

I just saw the cherubs...

Wowzers - last nights ep tossed out several memorable moments. The fight between Lor and Luke was really ugly - it was great to see Luke break down on all of his jealousy and showing Lor how much he had given up for her... and the flip side is the bedroom set - it was great to hear Lor actually say outloud how selfish she was being... and their make up and compromise was realistic and excellent.

Luke has a kid... ugh. Dear God... hell is about to break loose.


I was home sick yesterday, but spent the day at my Grandmother's. She had fallen the previous day and broken her leg - she is doing ok, but she is still not very mobile. So, when I finally got home... I found the Buffy box set sitting at my door. OMIGOD!!!! It is perfect. The packaging is classy - the extra disc is packed with goodies and is really well done... and it is probably the coolest looking DVD set in my collection. Bravo Fox!


I also picked up HP Prisoner of Azkaban (which I am currently half way through the book!) and Scrubs season 2. I threw in the first disc last night and watched about 5 eps in a row. Perfection! Josh and I laughed away while Devin listened whilst cooking in the kitchen. Twas very good.

Major plans are being hatched for the famous Hogwarts Feast this weekend - watch for details.

YO!

Countdown to Gilmore Girls!

The wait is killing the Sheriff. Must see the hug of ok-ness. The fued must be over. More Jess please...did I just say that?!?

counting the hours....



bunny out

Um, yeah, I'm gonna need you to come in on Saturday...

Ah, you gotta love starting a new job, and even more so around any holiday time.

I recently found out I don't get the Friday after Thanksgiving off!!!! WTF?!?!?!! Some of you may be thinking something like "Well, yeah.", but I automatically got the Friday after Thanksgiving off at all but two jobs I've had my entire life. One was working at Casey's [in Guthrie Center, like my 1st or 2nd year at ISU], the other at a video rental place [in Ames, 2nd or 3rd (?) year at ISU, was Moovies, don't know if it's still named that] - and even then, I only had to work like 4 hours! And, even for those two times, I would've gotten the day off if I would've been higher on the seniority ladder!

I do admit, the Goodrich "employee handbook" does not list the Friday after Thanksgiving (FAT) as a vacation day. When I first went over it, my mind tricked me - I know now, after looking at it again, that the words aren't there, but my mind just assumed the FAT was there when I read it initially! Can you really blame me? I mean, how many companies don't get at least part of the FAT off?!?!!! Yes, I'm ranting and just made a blanket statement - I know certain types of businesses must be open on the FAT, or would have it in their best interests to be so. But, a corporate IT guy? We already have an on-call phone - I'd gladly volunteer if I could have the FAT off!

I was officially hired September 16. I didn't get to start accruing vacation (for my huge 1 week of vacation I can get my first year here) until 30 days after hire. I got 1 (one) personal day and 1 sick day, prorated for this year. (Jan. 1 I get 4 and 4.) I had to use my personal day for Lora and Bob's wedding. I don't think calling in sick the FAT would be believed or taken well. I currently have like 5+ hours of vacation, and won't accrue enough for a full 8 hours by next Wednesday. So, this year, so much for spending Thanksgiving with my extended family. Any of them. Yay.

I'm a whiny, pissy, little bitch for at least the next two weeks. Gotta love American values! (Let's promote spending even *less* time with your family!)

I need a new career... :)

SCREW AUNTIE EM - MOVE IT!!

As many know, we saw some major Tornados on Saturday. Some even ripped through my home town of Minburn (we lost an entire building of Hogs... carcasses ended up on the Minnesota border!

Check out these links for amazing images and videos.

aerial images

storm images

Cavaliers

The weekend shot by and many fun events were had... but one stands out as the pinacle.

Devin and I tackled the shifter solenoid issue that the Cavalier was having. Here is a slide show of the project.

Enjoy

Slideshow

Click on link to view slideshow, and click on image to advance the slides.

YO

Coupons - this could hurt.

I am a sucker for a deal. I'll buy 39 "Houston Astros - 2005 World Series Champs" if I can get them for 22 cents a piece with free shipping. Thanks to the ubiquitous glory of the Internet, I can hemorrhage cash worse than the first company (a dot-bomb) did that I worked for out of college!

One site I check at least a couple times a day is www.slickdeals.net. Mostly tech-related deals, coupons, and such, but they do have posts for other things, like department store sales and coupons.

So, I visit the site today and the only deal for today I saw made me chuckle and get that sick feeling in my gut simultaneously: 20% off Coupon for DeepDiscountDVD.

(Pauses, waits to hear groan and vomit hit ground.) Jed, sorry, man.

There is an upside, though - if you wanted to make any other purchase (big or small) from DeepDiscountDVD, now is the time!

Anyone have any other deal/coupon/sale sites?

It's the end of the world... as we know it!

Sad news... Fox has officially ended the life of our favorite weekly funny! Jason Bateman went in for throat surgery this past week and the show had to cease production - they were promised a return, but it looks like Fox lied.

The series has been pulled off the schedule and the remaining episodes might air later this year - instead, Fox is going to air reruns of Prison Break (Kitchen Confidential got pulled as well).

In theory, things are still up in the air... but in reality, with tv going into sweeps and AD not having a chance to garner ratings... it means everything is over.

Sorry folks.....

Yo

Um...I had no choice but to post this...

Melissa George... dear God, how could The Amityville Horror sex scene taunt me so!!!

I need a drink.

Yo

p.s. This was not posted by Damfino but rather by a sick and twisted fiend who got on his computer. - YA!

Aronofsky returns!

Darren Aronofsky is the director of Pi and Requeim for a Dream - he had been circling the Batman Begins project for years, before Nolan took it over. Aronofsky has been missing for years - but has finally arrived with the new trailer for his film of "The Fountain."

The film stars Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weiz and I have no idea what it is about.. the trailer eludes to 3 tales of love and a journey towards... something. Anyway, the trailer is amazing. No dialogue... no overwrought movie guy voice... just simply words on the screen and emblamatic images! Very Eyes Wide Shut... without the Chris Isaak tune.

The trailer makes use of identical movement and image space to demonstrate theme... not exactly the most mind blowing concept... but it has an impact that is undeniable!

2nd tilt to image.

3rd and most fascinating...

A similar theme with Hugh close ups

... and an interesting shave for him.

The final image of the trailer is quite impressive... go watch it a few times... it is nice to see a director who can be blantantly artistic get tossed this kind of money and talent! I am excited.

thefountain
Mac users will be fine - Windows...good luck with viewing the HD version (LOSERS!!!)

Yo

I am a major dork...

I just dropped $140 on this series - but got me some free shipping - that was the clencher! All of the Buffy discs and the bonus disc... yummy!

Yo!

This is why we love him...

Joss Whedon - that quick witted creator of life sucking TV... has posted on his blog (which is usually filled with news and posts by underlings). He talks of Serenity bombing... and how you should avoid UPN this evening.

Enjoy

YO!



November 09 2005

Joss to never learn how to work site! Man is complete Melvin! Mock him!

It's true! I want to post, but I suspect my post will appear as the actual link to my post. And this after having my own password e-mailed to me 17 times. But just so you know, I happen to be a swell cook. And when the internet has a 'smell' function, you'll be able to tell that I... oh God. That's a horrible thought. 'Smell' function? From every computer? I think I just destroyed society as a concept. Anythough, I'm counting on some administrative muckity to turn whatever this comes out as into a real post. From me to you, sweet thang. (That only applies to those of you that are sweet and thangy.) (But the others can read it too.)

So what's up? Not sleep, sleep's not up... But I've been wanting to check in and let you know what's going on with me, Joss Whedon. In fact, there's even a tiny scoop or two in here!

Well, first of all, what a blast I've had with the release of Serenity! $267 million at the box office -- in Des Moines alone! Ten sequels lined up, March declared "National Serenity Awesomeness Month", Nathan made President for Life of Canada AND Greece (his will be a bloody and righteous rule), and Summer's feet to be exhibited at the Tate, when she has time to stand around at the Tate. (She should bring a book.)

So, okay, maybe SOME of my expectations were a hair unrealistic, but I'm so proud of the movie and all my peeps, and we'll drag it into the black (or take it out to the black) soon enough. That's DESPITE the Scrooge-like apathy of people like Mike Alward -- only one theater? Spread the wealth, pal! On the closest I ever get to a serious note, somebody should link his name to the Serenity site, 'cause they've been up in trying to find ways to bring people in and I think Mike really went to the mattresses there -- to be rewarded with a fair amount of snark here.

I know there's been some debate about the DVD art. Just remember it's what's INside that counts, as I used to remind girls in high school constantly. CONSTANTLY - until I realized that I was empty inside. Empty and homely. Man, that's a rough combo. Where was I? O yea, the DVD. I will admit there were a few better quotes they could have used to sell the film, among them:

"A brilliant film with heart, humor, and outstanding action. It should sweep the Oscars." -- Ron Notmadeupperson

"I've never seen a better film. In fact, I've never seen any film." -- President Abraham Lincoln

"I want to take this film and cover it in oil and rub it all over my body" -- Name Withheld (but it was Tim)

"This film has... events..." -- David Denby

"And this isn't my nose, it's a false one!" - A Witch

And now on to the rumors and allegations section. Many of you want to know what the future holds. Anxiety, hurricanes, and Male Pattern Baldness. But maybe also some art-stuff, which is really what you guys are into. No, I don't know anything about sequels, or spinoffs, or Nathan's President for Life gig. I'll keep my ear to the ground of course, but for now I'm just going to rest on my laurels (I have two). Oh! Oh! But I will tell you that Brett and I are talking about another three part comic, and it's gonna be a hoot. Takes place during the show, and has some sweet character deaths -- I mean moments! ("And what brings you to our ship, FutureTara..?") Sorry. Horrible taste. (Empty inside!) But wait'll you see the cover...

Speaking of Darkhorse Comics, they are starting a new Buffy comic, and as I understand it, it will take place after the end of Buffy and Angel and be canon in the Buffy world. And I understand it that way 'cause I'M WRITING IT. I'm kicking off the book with a four issue arc that finds Buffy -- you guessed it -- living in Italy with The Immortal. (Scott -- don't be mad I spoiled the announcement -- saying it means I have to finish it.) Then I'll be overseeing the book more closely, to make sure it remains true. Gonna be interesting. And it just might tie in to...

The infamous Spike movie. Still haven't finalized anything, but I feel that very soon I'll be able to go to James and say something a lot more interesting than "Wouldn't it be cool if..." 'Course, I just hope he's free some time this decade. See how my peeps is all actifying! Tomorrow night is AMIAS, (that's alias with Acker in it.) Happy. And totally jealous.

See, the Buffyverse glows in my brain with a new, overreaching arc that will include the comics, Spike, and more. It's taking shape and soon you will know its name. And you will tremble.

Then of course there's a little thing called X-Men, who are apparantly supposed to become astonishing again real soon. I miss me my Cassiday. Can't wait to see the fan response when I kill Wolverine and replace him with fan-fave Marrow.

Well, I certainly can't say much more, except that Wonder Woman is finally kicking ass that is not my ass, as in, I'm loving this script. She's saving the world in a tiara, people; this is why there's a me!

Oh, and there's nothing on TV tonight. TV has been cancelled. Talk amongst yourselves. La la la la la....

Thanks for keeping the faith, bringing the news (I really do learn stuff here) and carrying the banner (That's for us Newsies fans.) (Yes, I just typed that.) It's been a bewildering few months, but the important thing is, the work continues. There's a lot I'm looking forward to. 'Cause remember:

There was a show. Not that many people saw it in broad terms, but it was beloved. Full of humor, love and pain. And though it was a hard-sell emsemble piece with no huge names it in, it got made into a (roughly) 40 million dollar pic -- and with the cast intact. That doesn't happen a lot, but it should, and it did with this film. That's right. I just cannot wait to see RENT.

Stay crunchy, even in milk...

-joss.

What is going on with you Rory?!?!

We saw... and it was good!

Absolutely loved the Luke - Lor banter about painting... Daniel Palladino (Amy's hubby) writes Luke the best - and this ep he was on!! "You ain't competitive unless your covered with a little O-negative!!"

Things to buy this week!


Burton did a helluva job - Elfman's best score in years... can't wait to see again.


Just came out on DVD - I loooooved this show as a kid. It will be great to sit in my bed with a huge bowl of sugary cereal and watch hours of Ducktales... WOO HOO!

Yo