Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Replaceface - Facing Brilliant

This article was originally composed and published on The Website of DOOM

There is a rather wonderful little project going on over in Tumblr-land. Steve Payne is using the 329 portraits of Russian generals painted by George Dawes and changing the faces.

He started out using his friends and family but has gone on to use some slightly more famous faces for his art.

Some look oddly out of place but others could convince you they've led armies to war. Have a look at some of my favourites below and check out the Replaceface page for the full compliment.


Tuesday, September 27, 2011

My Favourite Things - September 2011

This month has become a bit of blur for your faithful internet reporter. A trip to Dragon*Con in Atlanta at the start of the month combined with a tour of the UK towards the end and this Irishman is ready for a quiet October. However, it has resulted in my month’s Favourite Things to be a much more personal one than normal. So read on for my rambling recommendations of this past September, below.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE.

It includes talk of Molly Lewis, Sylvester McCoy, Jonathan Coulton, The People's Republic of Venture and The Bluetones.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Happy Birthday Jim Henson

This post was originally published by me on thewebsiteofdoom.

Had he not unfortunately died in 1990, the wonderful, majestic Jim Henson would be celebrating his 75th birthday today.

Both myself and other members of DOOM have led a slightly fuller life thanks to experiencing some of Jim's work. While words can't express how lesser the world is without him in it, let's celebrate the man's birthday by remembering some of the great things he contributed.

While reminiscing I came across some interesting videos that you may not have seen before.

Here is a great video of Jim talking about making Muppets. Some great stuff from the legend himself.



Here are some behind-the-scenes videos of Jim and long-time working partner Frank Oz (and some of the other cast and crew) doing tests for The Muppet Movie. The two of them as Kermit and Fozzie have fun together improving and basically just enjoying their job. It's great to see them crack each-other up.




If you didn't know already, Google dedicated their logo to Jim today. Here is a video about it.



The Muppets read some letters sent from fans to Kermit after Jim's death. WARNING: You will most likely cry (lord knows I did).



We miss you Jim. Thanks for everything.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Weekend Justice #130: "Research"

I'm trying to catch up with the internet world after being away in England the last few days. While I was gone, Weekend Justice returned with a new episode of dirty jokes and nerdy talk. This week features myself, Widge, Rox, Leigh, Jon, Tuffley and Rob. Some of the topics of discussion included:

  • Going in and out
  • The O Face sound...revealed!
  • Ruining Aaron's daily routine
  • The perfect gift
  • New Streets of Rage soundtrack
  • Introductions: A New Scent
  • Doctor Who rant...at last
  • Leigh's swallowing story
  • The Muppets Movie
  • The How I Met Your Mother ending
  • Aaron vs. butt dialing spam
  • What they don't have in Ireland
  • Netflix and fun with cable
  • Katy Perry and Rihanna
  • Pearl Jam


To download the episode CLICK THIS or to listen and stream the episode CLICK THIS LINK YO

Saturday, September 17, 2011

A Story Of Awkward Dating (in Rhyme)

I posted this earlier in the week on my Tumblr page but figured that it was worth re-posting here for any non-tumbling readers I have.
It is neither a poem nor a song but merely something I wrote. I hope you enjoy.

My pursuit of you ran far too long.
Still can’t believe you came along
And that I managed the guts to ask you out here.
My heart really skipped when you said yes.
Skipped twice more when you wore that dress
And now I’m shaking with excitement and fear.
The meal was good but not too cheap.
Don’t want you to think that I’m a creep
But times are tough and I’m still on a budget.
That’s why I’m now walking you home.
Your taxi suggestion only got a groan
Because I couldn’t quite empty out my wallet.
You say “oh look at that bright star,
isn’t it romantic so very far
away and maybe if we wish it might…”
Sorry to interrupt you dear,
However, I think you need to hear
That’s no star it’s actually a satellite.

And I thought it was going so well.

You pestered me to go on this date.
I finally gave in just to make you
Stop harrassing me morning, noon and night.
My friends thought I was crazy
To even give you a maybe
But I figured how bad could it be, right?
Little did I know that you’d be a pain
Not just for my feet but you remain
To be the most boring man I think I’ve ever met.
So forgive me for trying to take a chance
And thinking I might find some romance
With a man who smells like alcohol and regret.

Shove your fucking satellite up your arse.

How could I think she’d be my wife?
I could never spend my life
With a woman who doesn’t understand outer space.
I should have known it wouldn’t work,
She won’t be the Mindy to my Mork,
When she pointed out the food stuck in my brace.
I’ll go home now and play online
I think I’ve been doing just fine
As the woodland Elf from the land of Middle Earth.
I’ll find someone else, maybe.
Not a woman but a lady
Who’ll love me for my space facts and my girth.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Emma Frost: Why It's Awkward To Read Some Comics In Public

I buy at least one trade paper-back comic book every week. On average. I don't usually buy single issues due to the money factor so every Wednesday I'll pop into the comic book store on my lunch break at work and see what's new and usually there will be one I want.

This week, two books I follow came out in trade format. They were, coincidentally the two X-Men books I read, Astonishing X-Men and Uncanny X-Men.

Because I buy these books on my lunch break, I will often read them in the office canteen. Considering I'm a creature of habit, it means for the last 4 years that I've been in my current job, my co-workers have seen me reading comics every week for a long time. I'm not embarrassed to be reading my comics in front of my peers and bosses. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. They often strike up conversations with me about what I'm reading too. I've even gotten a female co-worker addicted to The Walking Dead.

Comics. Grown-ups read them.

However, there are a few occasions when I am embarrassed to read a comic in front of other people. And those times occur because of predominantly crap like this:



The "sexy" female pose...

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK THIS THING!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Dragon*Con 2011: Make The Bad Men Stop 1

Sometimes Widge explains things better than I could, so the following podcast description is taken directly from NeedCoffee. Listen to me and the guys waffle about movies!

Well, the Weekend Justice League has taken the week off so we can recover from DragonCon. Those of you who wonder why it takes so long to recover have never been. But do not despair. We will not leave you with nothing. Thanks to the machinations of Captain Tech, Jon Boutelle, we've managed to record a lot of stuff. And this is the first bit of stuff.

It's Make the Bad Men Stop, our annual foray into the realms of pop culture adaptations (usually for the big screen), in which we do our best to crush the hopes and dreams of our audience. We do this on Leigh's track and pretty much open and close her room with it. This was recorded on Friday, September 2nd. (Jesus, was that just a week ago?) The second part was recorded the following Monday and will be posted eventually. The reason I'm sending this out over the Weekend Justice feed as well is not only because it, in essence, is our pinch-podcast for this week...but you'll see that live we're eeriely like we are Memorex.

Lastly, I apologize in advance that I did not think to repeat the questions into the mic as they are very faint coming from the audience. Sorry about that. We learn as we go. Or try to, anyway.

To download this panel recording directly, DragonCon 2011: Make the Bad Men Stop, then do that thing. To listen click the panel below.

CLICK ME TO LISTEN!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Photos From Dragon*Con

You can see the full set here but here are my favourites.


You can click any picture to see the larger size and of course you COULD GO TO DRAGON*CON to experience it all in tyrano-life-size!

Aaron And JJ Do Karaoke At Dragon*Con

PLEASE NOTE: I'm back from Dragon*Con less than 24 hours. There is a lot of stuff to catch up on with the blog and things to show and tell but first, this story must be told.

Let me tell you a tale of Dragon*Con's Saturday night. I have gone to this convention four years now and every single Saturday night at it has resulted in some sort of embarrassment for me. This year was probably the least embarrassing, however, this time there is video. So in an attempt to break the cycle, I present it to the world.

Myself and JJ Hawkins are karaoke fiends. He is far more experienced than I, this being only my third time to take to the stage, but what I lose in previous effort I make up for with enthusiasm and waist-coats. So we arrive at the KJ's booth at 9pm to sign up... with gusto. And then we wait. And wait.

We both start to drink a lot and get a little angsty by the time 1am rolls around. But then, finally my name is called. And who do I see in the front row? None other than the 7th Doctor himself Sylvester McCoy!



I had managed to spend an hour or two with the man at the Con and had gotten to know him enough that when I got up to the mic he immediately proceeded to heckle me before the music even begins! No pressure. You can see me hand my drink to him at the start of the video.

I present it to you now with the caveat that you have heard me sing on podcasts before and you understand I do not have any sort of vocal ability.



Then, in the few seconds of ego buzz that I enjoy after jumping about like a lunatic (and while I get my drink back from The Doctor) a certain... someone, takes to the stage.



That's right folks, Michael Rosenbaum hits the Dragon*Con karaoke scene and sings "Man In The Mirror". Lex frickin' Luthor steals any thunder I may have been able to walk away with. In fact, if you look back at the video you'll see him talking to the KJ towards the end of my song. He's the guy in the green top.

But you know what? No matter how bad I had it, it was worse for JJ. Because he was next up.

Wanna see how he followed all that?



For those of you who don't attend Dragon*Con... shame on you. This is only a molecule of the madness you can look forward to every year.