Voices Inside My Head

Saying Goodbye

2009-11-14T12:03:00.002-05:00

The last few days I haven't really had the time or the energy to write about movies, or Michael Buffer or any of the other various things that strike me funny. That's because once again real life has decided to smack me in the face.

I've always wondered why I've taken to blogging so easily and why I enjoy writing about whatever that pops into my head, hence the blog title. The more I look at what I write about I notice that they are often silly diversions, not that there is anything wrong with that. They are things normally that I find funny and it simply distracts me from the real world. Nothing draws you back to reality like losing a friend.

Vernon Washington Brown III was one of the first people that I met when I arrived at Fallston High school to teach World History in 2002. I guess if there was one thing that I could say that would have described him was smooth. His words were always measured and they poured forth like a sage who would give advice. He always seemed under control in his speech and manner of appearance. He was just cool.

Vern coached the girls soccer and basketball teams and as fate would have it I became the boys head Varsity basketball coach the next year. So since we often had to work out practice schedules during the Winter and as anyone knows who coaches you put in a lot of hours that aren't clocked in. We were able to spend more time together and it was easy to have Vern become my friend.

Vern was always a great listener and therefore it was easy to get into conversations with him and have them last a long time. We were able to talk about almost any subject from coaching and basketball to 80's music and politics. In fact if I were ever late coming home Nicki would just ask if I was talking to Vern and that would explain everything.

But there was something that I had learned very much by accident about Vern that first year we coached together. As we talked about the upcoming season in the Harford Tech parking lot. Vern's body stopped and a smile was frozen on his face for about two minutes. I really had no idea what to make of what happened but after the episode was over I realized that he had had a slight seizure.

He explained to me afterwards that he had a major episode at work two years earlier and that he had been trying various medications and treatments to help control things. I know that was a hard day for Vern because for anyone who knew him he was a private person who compartmentalized his life. School at school and family with family. I always made sure to respect that and that's something that I think we always had in our friendship. I respected his wishes for what he wanted shared and he did the same for me.

As the years passed, Vern's condition began to worsen. In fact I can remember quite clearly it was around March 2006, which was my last season as coach and I was stepping down as Nicki and I planned to have more kids. We talked about how tired we both were after another long season but he mentioned that his right leg was giving him trouble and there were times he would almost trip over it. He said he had scheduled a trip to his doctor and hoped for some answers.

The next year Vern told me he had to stop coaching Soccer. Over the Summer he had a few complications which I later found out was a surgery. He seemed a bit better as he returned to work after missing the first quarter. But his problems only got worse.

Once again the following Summer proved difficult and he had two brain operations that had him home recovering yet again. But he vowed to return to the classroom and he did last January. He continued to fight though he had to walk with a cane and we suggested that he use a wheelchair to help conserve his energy before and after school. Often times it was me handling the duties meeting mom each day as Vern could no longer drive himself. But to his credit he finished out the year.

Finally last Summer things turned again. He would not be able to return this year and had to retire just this past October. At this point he was confined to his home in a hospital bed in his living room. I visited him a few times making sure to bring either cheesesteaks or barbeque as we talked like we always did. The last time we talked was in October. The baseball playoffs were on and myself and Jimmy Grant, who also taught with us sat and laughed and caught Vern up on all news from the school front. As usual one hour turned to three and when left we told him we'd come again.

But things happened quickly. I called his phone last week and left a message. It often took him a day or two but he'd always return calls. No return call. I feared the worst and this past Monday our faculty had been told that Vern had been admitted to Gilchrest Hospice care.

After school this past Friday, Jimmy and I drove down to visit. He was calm but not conscious. We stayed a bit and talked with his father and then congregated by the terrace to speak with others who come to visit. As we got ready to leave he noticed medical staff rushing to his room. He was gone.

Over the next week I'll find out more about funeral arrangement's as his friends and family cope with his loss. I'll question the meaning of life and my own place in the universe but I'll also remember the good times. The above picture is when we went to the Nike coaches clinic in Connecticut and met MD great Gary Williams. All three of us rushed him before he was ready to speak. We told him we were Terp fans and he smiled and said "Anything for for you guys."

As I try to make sense of everything I remember a quote from the great Jim Henson.

"When I was young my ambition was to be one of those people who made a difference in this world. My hope still is to leave the world a little bit better for my having been here."

You did your job Vern. I will miss you.

Another remake?

2009-11-11T20:36:00.002-05:00

Alright Hollywood I get it.

You've run out of ideas. It so much easier to take basically any movie from the 70s or 80s and simply update it. Sci-Fi, Horror and Action are easy targets due to CGI and the like.

I mean all I have to do is list the last five movies I've watched. In case you haven't noticed I watch a lot.

Taking of Pelham 123 (already a 70's flick)
GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra (80's cartoon and comic)
Land of the Lost (70's Tv show)

I could go on and on. But I paused today as I stumbled across a new version of 80's cable favorite Clash of the Titans. I loved this movie as a kid. Lots of cool creatures with the Greek Mythology theme and HBO showed it at least three times a day.

So let's compare:

Harry Hamlin as the hero Perseus and Sir Laurence as Zues in the 1981 camp classic

and the recent update due out in 2010

Yeah, I thought it looked cool too.

Ticket to Ride

2009-11-10T22:02:00.002-05:00

I never saw the original Taking of Pelham One Two Three made in 1974 but after seeing this update I may have too. Even if my only reason might be to see Robert Shaw in the high jacker role. I have a feeling he'd be awesome.

So I have nothing to compare this Tony Scott production with Denzel Washington as the subway dispatcher and John Travolta as the ex-con who takes over the train to extort 10 million dollars from New York City.

Both are what you would expect in their roles yet I can't really figure out why Travolta is so angry, even after they give a reason for it. But it helps to have some familiar faces not just in the leads but in the background too. John Turturro is the hostage negotiator and Luis Guzman is Travolta's second. Even Tony Soprano is in on things, this time as the mayor.

The plot moves quickly and there are plenty of jagged editing cuts and loud music to let you know serious things are about to get. The action is intense but fun although the slow motion effect gets overused a bit. But flaws and all I enjoy both actors and that allowed me to just get past it and crank up the volume and enjoy the show.

(7.0)

The Cold War Is Over

2009-11-09T21:16:00.002-05:00

Twenty years ago today a people were reunited and a tyrannical power was slowly melting away.

Let's Get Ready to Make a Fortune!!!!!!!

2009-11-09T20:45:00.003-05:00

Michael Buffer.

Former model and boxing ring announcer extraordinaire.

I recently read that he has made almost 400 million dollars. How do you amass such great wealth? Simple, you trademark words.

"Let's Get Ready to Rumble!" is his signature and since he was intelligent enough to realize that these five words are special when he says them. So he actually makes more money from the trademark than when he works events. Only in America.

Then and Now

2009-11-08T23:27:00.002-05:00

It's late and I'm still smarting from how poorly the Ravens played today against the Bengals. So why not a little comedy to cheer me up?

I found this picture courtesy of Deadspin.

This is former Oriole and know bat corker Sammy Sosa and no this is not some kind of Zombie Halloween costume that Slammin Sammy put together last week.

It's all explained here:

He is going through a rejuvenation process for his skin," [Rebecca] Polihronis said. "Women have it all of the time. He was surprised he came out looking so white. I thought it was a body double. Part of (the photo appearance) is just the lighting.

"He is in the middle of doing a cleansing process to his skin. The picture is deceiving. He said, 'If you saw me in person, you would be surprised. When you see me in person, it is not going to seem like the picture.'"

Ok, fine I guess it's not side effects from steriods but I can dream can't I.

Deep Hurting

2009-11-07T21:12:00.003-05:00

No way to get out a blog post last Friday and here's why.

I spent all day in meetings at school. That shouldn't be much of a big deal but you've obviously never sat and listened to people attempt to screw up something so simple. I don't even really feel like recounting the whole ordeal. It makes my head hurt.

So after that we attempted to sell my wife's Jeep. We were still just dating when I went with her to purchase it so I figured it would be hard. The only hard thing was driving 30 minutes towards the Busch River and having the guy who wanted to buy it from us repeat himself over and over and over. He must not get many visitors.

Then a quick bite at the Double T. Quick with three kids means about an hour and a half but there were no injuries just full stomachs and that's all you can hope for.

By that point we put everyone to bed and I decided to crack open a special bomber of Clipper City's Imperial Octoberfest and enjoy a bad movie. But I can't just watch a bad movie by myself so I had to watch it with Joel and three robots.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 presents: Hercules Against the Moon Men

What a great old show. You take really bad films and record dialogue around it just like you'd crack wise with you and your friends if you watched such garbage.

I didn't get to the end though, not like it matters. After the second Octoberfest at 9% each I nodded off with ease.

Sunny Days

2009-11-05T23:48:00.003-05:00

Who knew that yet another iconic television show would also have its 40th anniversary this year?

Sesame Street first appeared on television on this day in 1969. It has since spawned iconic characters that every pre-school child knows. It appears in languages all over the world. It even still has most of the same human characters like Bob and Maria. (aren't they 80 by now?)

But to be honest one of the greatest things about being a dad is having my kids experience things that I did as a kid.

I have a feeling the Street will be around when I'm a Grandpa.

Just a few of my favorite bits.

Sesame Street was supposed to be a fictional street in NYC. So it would have made no sense to not have at least one grouch who lived in a trash can.

No they are not gay. In fact I think they are supposed to be kids, which made me wonder more why there were never any parents around and how they lived in a swanky two floor walk-up in New York since they didn't appear to have jobs.

The first clip I showed to Connor. He sang it all day.

And finally my favorite sketch ever. Lots of soul in shapes. "I know who a square is!"

The Circus is Coming to Town

2009-11-04T18:36:00.003-05:00

I missed this because I was so preoccupied with Halloween but around Mid-October IFC was planning to invite the circus to their channel to celebrate it's 40th year.

Monty Python's Flying Circus

But 40 it is, commemorated by a six-part documentary, Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut) (IFC, Sunday-Friday, 9 ET/PT); a book, Monty Python Live!, which chronicles the touring days and sketches in the 1970s; and, starting Friday, a 10-day channel dedicated to Python on Sirius XM Radio. And tonight, the five surviving members — Palin, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle and Terry Jones (Graham Chapman died in 1989) — will be honored in New York City by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Python inspires either love or hatred. You can't seem to be in the middle with their brand of comedy. I know British humour can be a bit hard to get but there are certain Python bits that make me laugh until I collapse onto the floor. So if anything celebrate their longevity and ability to influence others, HBO's Mr. Show comes to mind.

In the meantime get the ...... COMFY CHAIR!!!!!

Top 5 Stephen King Movies

2009-11-03T19:48:00.003-05:00

Of course I think this should probably have been a topic during the Halloween phase of the blog in October but I guess I can't seem to shake the theme just yet. But as you can see even though Mr. King is known more for his horror stories he can pretty much write anything.

1-THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994)

Oddly enough this fantastic story barely covered it's operating budget due to lukewarm response in theaters. It only seems odd because this movie continues to pop up on best all-time movies lists time and again. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman are fantastic.

2-THE SHINING (1980)

Just a great horror movie. Writer's block can be a killer.

3-THE GREEN MILE (1999)

A tremendously heartwarming story about a guard and his encounter with a supernatural Michael Clarke Duncan. "We each owe a death; there are no exceptions; but, Oh God, sometimes the Green Mile seems so long."

4-THE DEAD ZONE (1983)

Christopher Walken thinks that Martin Sheen is going to end the world. Therefore he must die.

5-MISERY (1990)

Kathy Bates is so friggin' frightening. "Go to your room, Mister Man!"

Hollywood Minute - Halloween Edition

2009-11-02T20:26:00.007-05:00

I was so excited to see that Yahoo had posted a bunch of Halloween pictures of what celebrities were wearing this year. Not excited in a way that I cared what they wore but instead how easily I could make fun of them.

However a major problem I had was not recognizing most of the so-called celebrities. So here's who I did know.

Bette Midler? I guess she's still a celebrity. Is it possible she just pulled out an old singing outfit for this one. I also thought she was trying to be a zombie. Instead I think she's just really pale.

Hey Lamar Odom at least try. You have zillions of dollars playing ball and you just signed a new contract. Hobo Batman doesn't even seem like a real costume. Perhaps its just the angle but I think Khloe needed some special assistance to get in the latex.

Even dressed like a yarn haired doll Gwen Stefani still looks good. Damn it I got nothing.

And finally Seal has found a costume that takes full advantage of the more interesting features on his face. Heidi, how does it feel to look like your husband for a day?

Lost Boy

2009-11-01T21:32:00.003-05:00

Halloween is in the books and I have to say that even though it rained off and on during the day everyone still had a great time. The Cedarwood neighborhood parade went off without a hitch around three o'clock which was highlighted by young Maddie falling asleep in the wagon. There is a picture somewhere.

But later on the Davallis joined us for some Pat's pizza and then a solid haul of treats from the neighborhood. I never used to like Halloween all that much but I'm sure it will step up another notch once all three of the kids are running about the block.

Even though I do love letting the blog getting taken over by all things Halloween I am anxious to write about other things today.

So I'll begin with a movie that I'm actually ashamed that I liked. The Land of the Lost was a 70's TV show that most people my age would remember. It had cheesy effects, questionable acting, and wild plot lines. But most 8 year olds aren't Roger Ebert and all they care about is if it looks cool. It's about Dinosaurs and Lizard Men for God's sakes.

So when I heard that a comedy remake was slated with Will Ferrell I was intrigued but skeptical. Not taking the source material serious is definitely the way to go here.

So Ferrell is Dr. Rick Marshall which is sort of like making Carrot Top play the President. Ferrell has been playing the same character for years. Guys who love to scream but are essentially cowards. He even tries to mix it up with Matt Lauer and in the end Mr. Lauer's uppance does come. I can see the jokes coming a mile away and yet I still laugh for some reason. Marshall even though he is a blowhard is an accidental genius as he finds a way to go back to an alternate universe.

He's convinced by Holly, played by Anna Friel, a science groupie who thinks Marshall's theories have always been brilliant to actually test them out. Great move not making Holly Marshall his daughter as it would have made the plot line icky.

But my favorite has to be Danny McBride who once again is playing a Southern doofus but this time he owns a roadside oddity that Marshall and Holly use to jump into the past, I think.

He has some good lines and helps keep things from just being about watching Ferrell hurt and embarrass himself. Speaking of embarrassing, it takes a lot to take the worst character from the Tv show, Chaka and turn him into something you'd like to see skinned and used as a rug by the end of the show. This time around Chaka loves to quote show tunes and hump any part of your body that you let him.

So if you dare to watch this know what you are getting into to. This isn't high drama. It is what I thought it was and oddly enough I laughed and enjoyed it just the same. Guess I was just in one of those moods.

(7.0)

Halloween Countdown to the Finish

2009-10-31T08:41:00.004-04:00

The last few days were incredibly busy. School was a whirlwind as we tried to squeeze a test and a mid-term in the span of three days. I'll be sure to write later about my recent struggles with adapting to HCPS Assessments which mean I must fly about at a quicker pace. Weather anyone learns or not is another question.

We had Connor's last day of Football clinic, which was another success and Friday night was supposedly by brother's LAST famous Halloween party. I'll believe that when I see it. Anyone who puts a Drive-In Movie Theater in the backyard complete with "Hack Bar" filled with snacks and a huge popcorn machine isn't giving this up so easily. But as usual it was a good time and our family was well represented. The girls were Penguins, Connor was Scooby Doo, Nicki was a Fortune Teller and I, well I was the Most Interesting Man in the World.

Today should be filled with even more Halloween goodness if the weather can cooperate. At three we have our neighborhood parade and of course there will be treating this early evening. So we must prepare.

But before I leave let me drop more Halloween cheer on you.

Wednesday night one of Connor's recent favorite's, Monsters vs. Aliens put on a Halloween special. Aliens are trying to mess with the holiday as they genetically engineer candy eating gourds.

SNL is once again trying to spice up the holiday season. Bill Hader's Vincent Price is pretty good.

And lastly NBC's Community had it's own version as Senor Chang's Spanish class celebrated El Dia de Los Muertos.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Countdown - Day 28

2009-10-28T22:46:00.003-04:00

Only a few more days left and my site goes back to normal. That is at least until Christmas rolls around.

The Simpsons (Are they still on???) has always embraced the Halloween spirit with zillions of Treehouse of Horror special episodes.

Homer, I agree with you one hundred percent on this one.

Halloween Countdown - Day 26 & 27

2009-10-27T06:05:00.003-04:00

Missed an update yesterday so if you've been following you know the drill. Double shot Tuesday.

Over the past few nights I've been knocking out a few horror movies that I've never seen before. One of these would include the cult Evil Dead series directed by Spiderman Sam Raimi.

I caught the first installment and had trouble getting all the excitement about these movies. The premise was pretty standard as five college students end up in a creepy shack in the woods and by mistake end up waking up the demon spirits of an Indian burial ground.

The "acting" was bad, the effects were gory but pretty random as well. I will take my cousin's advice and watch the next one. This is where he says that things take off and more of the humor come out as well as the superb talent of Bruce Campbell.

The last film I have waiting in the stack before a return to Blockbuster is Saw. Yes, I haven't seen it. This franchise is now on its sixth installment and its not like horror movies ever knew when to stop. Much like the psychos that star in these epics they hack away to squeeze the last ounce of money from its fans.

Halloween Countdown - Day 25

2009-10-25T20:34:00.001-04:00

The Raven as read by Christopher Walken.

That is all you need to know.

Halloween Countdown - Day 23 & 24

2009-10-24T10:05:00.002-04:00

Finally after almost a year of owning a true big screen (96" of beauty)with an HD projector we had our first movie night. When I mean we I refer to the royal We which means people that don't normally live here. The family has had zillions of movie mornings, afternoons, and nights.

But, yesterday was a lot of fun and great way to end a slow week. Mom, Dad, Aunt Pat any cousin Cory and his wife Betsy joined us for some Chinese Food. Which speaking of slow I'll have to think about ordering from Silver Palace Express. I could have flown to China, made it myself and gotten back quicker.

But after the kids were in bed, we decided to start light and scan through Paul Lynde's Halloween Special. I've mentioned it a few times before on the blog because it's just this surreal pile of garbage with random stars of the 70's littered throughout. So awful, yet you can't look away. Gaze upon the bedazzled trucker and his orange hair.

So after that warmup we were ready for the main attraction. The 2004 remake of the George A. Romero zombie classic Dawn of the Dead. I hadn't seen it and the plot is pretty standard. But I'd did really enjoy it. I'll get a review up later.

Hopefully this means more movie nights in the future.

Halloween Countdown - Day 22

2009-10-22T22:45:00.002-04:00

When a movie starts out with the claim that it's the best thing since "The Blair Witch Project" my expectations shrink very quickly.

I can remember sitting in the Charles Theater excited to see a supposedly scary movie that many critics said was the best since The Exorcist. I can also remember at the end asking for a refund. It looked like someone got drunk, picked up a camera and just followed a group of friends around the woods.

But who knows, maybe Paranormal Activity might be different.

Halloween Countdown - Day 21

2009-10-21T19:54:00.001-04:00

Sick and tired of living in a van down by the river? Listen to these words of inspiration from Matt Foley to turn your life around.

Watch SNL Sketch: Chris Farley as Matt Foley on Fanpop

Halloween Countdown - Day 20

2009-10-20T21:07:00.002-04:00

One of THE scariest haunted houses in America is found in Atlanta, Georgia.

It's called NETHERWORLD and I had a chance to catch a glimpse of it on a recent Travel channel show about American Haunted Houses. But its best to judge for yourself.

Halloween Countdown - Day 19

2009-10-19T22:53:00.001-04:00

It's only 12 more days until Halloween and I just thought, what would Jack do?

Halloween Countdown - Day 18

2009-10-18T21:00:00.002-04:00

I'm still not sure how to feel about the Ravens dropping a heartbreaker at Minnesota today and off a missed field goal.

But before I head off to bed I thought of the iconic Halloween quotes. This is one.

"It's Alive....ALIVE!!!!!!"

Halloween Countdown - Day 17

2009-10-17T22:26:00.001-04:00

Are vampires real?

I know this seems like a stupid question but watch this next video and then see what you think the answer is.

Halloween Countdown - Day 15 and 16

2009-10-16T22:08:00.003-04:00

It's rained for the past two days straight. So gloomy and damp. Perfect Halloween weather.

I figured that I'd spend the time with my son and take him to the Toy Story double feature in 3D today. I've never felt so ripped off. They charge $3 extra just to get in and since this movie wasn't intended as a 3-D presentation the amount of actual effects were very little.

I will admit that the previews for the billionth presentation of A Christmas Carol and Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland looked fantastic. Both movies will really benefit from 3-D.

But as Casey used to say, on with the countdown.

I know how to get caught up. I just make a super big post to encompass two, so here it is.

MY TOP TEN HALLOWEEN HORROR VILLAINS

10. Samara Morgan

I admit that I haven't watched nearly as many modern horror films but this one was good. It had that grainy dream-like video footage that makes you think for at least a moment that it's real. As she slowly walks towards and through the television my heart skips each time.

9. Pennywise

Fact. Clowns are scary. Fact. I'm a little scared of Tim Curry anyway. Put them together and no more circus for me.

8. Jack Torrence

What more is there to say? Jack Nicholson goes insane.

7. Freddy Krueger

The guy makes Wolverine look like he has butter knives for fingers. Any character who can make a fedora look menacing must be doing something right.

6. Jason Voorhees

5. Nosferatu

Vampires are very frightening. The draining of blood from neck punctures and turning into bats. But most incarnations of Dracula aren't that scary. Gary Oldman's old woman version of the Count in 2000 only made me pee in my pants from laughter. But this guy is part Golem, part martian, all terrifying.

4. The Vorvon

This character is a direct rip-off of #5 on my list. But here is why he gets as high as #4. This is from the tv show, Buck Rodgers and the Vorvon is a space vampire. When I watched this episode I was in 4th grade. That may explain how that face made it into every nightmare I ever had for the next three years. Strong childhood impression. But perhaps secretly I had hoped to gain the Vorvon's power of being able to get Erin Gray to do whatever I wanted.

3. Hannibal Lecter

Cold and methodical. There is something really disturbing about a man who talks like a British documentary host but acts like John Wayne Gacy.

2. Michael Myers

William Shatner's face is just that scary.

1. Leatherface

Eighth grade. John Brogan's house. First viewing of TCM. Scariest thing I've ever watched. His face his made of pieces of his victim's flesh for crying out loud. That grainy footage just gives me the creeps. It didn't help matters that same year when I went into the Towson Jay-Cee's Haunted House and every guy was dressed like him. I couldn't have been happier that every girl in my class wanted to be protected by me inside as they clutched at my arms. But when the chainsaw buzzed I ran as fast as I could out the exit. Sorry ladies.

Halloween Countdown - Day 14

2009-10-16T00:14:00.002-04:00

I feel behind. I'll be able to catch up on the off day no problem. Here is a quick one.

What is red and white, with a long beard and wants to kill you?

Bill Goldberg in a fat suit.