Lefty Side of the Dial

As some of us wait for Twitter to be fixed (again!), I'd thought I'd take a few minutes and you know actually get around to blogging...or at least three questions. SO here are your three questions for this Friday:

1. If you could pick one album to be redone in a different musical genre, what album would it be and what genre?

2. What is or was your favorite Marvel Comics miniseries?

3. What's the last song you remember floating in your head, and where did you hear it last being played?

As always my answers are in the comments section, where you are invited to leave your answers there as well.

Posted by Lefty at 09:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Back again jiggety jig!

Had a great time up in Sacra-tomato Tuesday night to catch the Drive By Truckers and had a swell time. As I mentioned in a Twitter, you know you got a good "seat" when you can smell the Jack Daniels coming off from the band while they play. They played great and they put on a fantastic show, and I'm so thankful for the last minute invite from my good friend and musical guru (who I actually turned on to this fantastic band) Steve P.

I didn't get home to early in the morning, but thankfully I had the day off as part of my work's new 4 day work week. We work 9 hours for 4 days and get a day during the summer. It's a good idea, and one I hope will continue after the summer heat subsides.

Anyway, so being dog-tired threw me off my game on Wednesday, and I didn't get a chance to go to the comic book shop to see Morrison redeem himself in the fan's eyes for what is perceived as a letdown in Final Crisis #1. I can't wait to go after work today, but I do believe Morrison can craft an amazing story that may transform the DCU for ages to come....if the Kirby Fourth World fans can accept change.

In other DC news comes word of Didio possibly being fired or removed or retconned or maybe killed and then resurrected after Levitz punches a hole into the metaverse. I am of two minds on this. I do think Didio has pushed a storyline in the DCU that has caused an avalanche of event books and minis. However I do think Didio has been instrumental in bringing quite talented fellows in the DC stable. I can honestly say for better or worse I am a DC fanboy because of the creative folks that have worked their asses off. Like, Quesada Didio LOVES the medium, love the company, and loves turning new readers onto the medium. Have you read Tiny Titans? It's crack for DCU fanboys and acts as an excellent gateway drug for young readers too.

It'll be interesting to see how things turn out, so close to San Diego Comic Con...which I won't be covering as press because I never heard back from the press reg person. That kinda is dissapointing escpeccialy since the folks there were awesome at getting me and Mrs. L to Wondercon for some fantastic coverage. Maybe next year.

Posted by Lefty at 08:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So on Monday I dropped in on some friends who were recording their excellent podcast, The View Looks Good From Here Fresno, a Fresno-centric podcast about politics, sports, movies, music, and culture. I had a blast.

You can check out the episode here.

All of this reminded me that I really need to get another episode of Lefty Side of the Dial out. I'm thinking of doing one on Saturday.

Posted by Lefty at 08:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just wanted to say a few things before I dash out to enjoy my awesome packed lunch.

+ I can honestly say that my wife and I are back on the wagon when it comes to our diet. About two years ago I started off strong, lost 30 pounds and then fell off the wagon, gaining ten of those pounds back. Well, after a visit with our nutritionist we're making great food choices that does manage to keep me without hunger pains and tastes pretty darn good. Sure that summer Slurpee is now a monthly reward for myself...but and even bigger reward is have less of me to lug around. I am actually anxious to step on a scale for a weekly weigh-in.

+ I wonder if all those shitheads going after Barack's wife right now is more because Michelle is darker skinned and plays the racism card to get out the vote. Fox News should be protested for its 'Baby Mama' comment. It hits a new low standard for an already low-blow GOP Cable News Network.

+ I have to get used to being in the public eye now that my wife and I are doing our video game podcast and getting fairly successful at it. We recently got an email which used some information garnered here and there from old blog posts, which called my Christianity into question claiming I was bisexual and I got off on weird sexual perverse stuff involving my wife. Talking to other video game podcasters, they've gotten similar stuff. Man, there are really some sick folks out there. Remind me to grow a thicker skin.

+ Vampire Weekend is now on eMusic...you may now commence downloading and thank me later.

...off to lunch, and another episode of X-Files Season 1.

Posted by Lefty at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Well not so weekly....but I try. Here's what's been burning up my time as of late:

1. X-Files Season 1 DVD

During my lunch breaks I've been watching episodes of the X-Files. I won't wrap up the series before the new film hits the theaters, but I have been really enjoying the journey. I haven't hit any of the mythology episodes yet, but even the "monsters of the week" manages to be a great time.

2. Lego Indiana Jones on Xbox 360

I've just finished the story for the original three movies, and I am now spending some time grabbing any quick achievements I can. The game is very much like all the other Lego video games, and I was more than a bit disappointed that online co-op wasn't in this game. However I did have an enjoyable time for the most.

3. Swirling Eddies "Outdoor Elvis"

I love this album. It is perhaps one of my favorite Christian albums of all time. I've listened to this thing so many times since I recently was gifted it. It's very much like listening to an musical version of the sarcastic Christian magazine, the Wittenburg Door.

4. Battlestar Galactica

The last season of Battlestar has been a little hit or miss for me but the last three episodes have been hard hitting and have been a thrill-ride to watch. The mid-season ender really did a good job in taking a promise and giving the audience something they didn't expect. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if they trotted out Neo from the Matrix in 2009.

5. Doctor Who

Okay, so I've been a wee behind on watching Doctor Who....well about three weeks behind. I've now have started watching, and am really enjoying it.

6. Rock Band

I still love this game. Every friday some co-workers and I get together to play some video games during our lunch hour and for several weeks we've been playing Rock Band. I dig just hanging out and playing. At home I've also been enjoying it, because it is such a blast when my wife and I sit down and play together. I am really looking forward to next week's DLC release...the full album release of The Pixies' "Doolittle".

7. Buko Sudoko

Yes it's sudoko, but before this game on the Xbox Live Arcade came out I never played sudoko...and I'm hooked in a major way. Last time I've checked I am 15th in the world...which is a lot of games. I have been digging just seeing how fast I complete the screens while listening to music I've ripped to my Xbox 360.

8. Eastern Promises

A fantastic, brutual movie that manages to do some surprising things in script and acting. Viggo was so in character it's scary. This film also marks the last HD-DVD I'll ever be getting from Netflix.

9. Bruce Springsteen "Magic"

I've been listening to this album while I play Buku Sudok oand have really enjoyed rediscovering it, and a hell of a joy to sing along with. Springsteen does anthem rock like no other, and still really dig this album.

10. Trinity (DC Comics)

After getting burned on Countdown, I actually did not add Trinity to my pull list, however I sampled the first two issues, and came away impressed. It has a very Brave & Bold feel to it, and Kurt Busiek shows why he's the perfect go-to writer for a weekly series. The art for the primary section of the book from Bagley is very nice and I just love well he tells a story with art in clean and non-flashy way that really services the script exceptionally.

Posted by Lefty at 03:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

1. Doctor Who (as a huge time and world travelin' sandbox game)

2. Mythbusters (implement experiments to affirm or debunk several myths)

3. X-Files (solve several x-files while wearing unattractive pant suits)

4. Cops (not only do you play as a cop but you can co-op and play as the camera man)

5. 24 (a real-time game that you must finish in 24 hours or you lose)

Posted by Lefty at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well I'm back from my sojourn to San Francisco to check 1C's, a Russian game company, PC and console offerings. I went with a fellow video game podcaster (and co-worker). The ride up was very good, and you know you're going to have a good time when the three hour drive just flies by because you are both talking the whole way.

Continue reading "Lefty Goes To Russia...Sort Of" »

Posted by Lefty at 09:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

They don't of course, but CNN/Fox/MSNBC is not America.

I do enjoy seeing the major cable news channels all squirming because Hillary didn't concede last night and Obama didn't name her as his running mate. I am downright pissed off that these 24 hour news programs feel like they get to decide how the political landscape is shaped. I sort of hope Obama doesn't name his V-P until late July just for spite.

Oh, and while I'm the subject of the news media, let me just say Chris Matthews is a muther-fuckin' asshat to the Nth degree. I'm not a huge fan of Hillary. I respect her, and I respect service she's done for our country. Chris Matthews has shown an huge axe to grind towards the Senator. I don't know if it's women in power in general but this putz really has a flagrant disregard towards her. In his mind it seems that she's only a Machiavellian villian who only reason for being in politics is the power and wealth it sometimes can bring. Hearing his comments this morning on MSNBC I couldn't stop calling him a douchebag in the 3 minutes of non-objective pontificating about why she didn't concede Tuesday night.

I don't like top swear, but fuck you Mr. Matthews. Like or not, you have lost your objectivity.

Posted by Lefty at 07:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Item #1 It's hard to believe that this week we may finally have one Democratic nominee for President. It sure had it's moments, and I have to say it hasn't put the party in the best light at time. I never would have suspected that Democrats would use race as a factor in how they vote, but seeing news reports out of West Virginia and Pennsylvania it downright infuriated me that Democrats could be so misinformed or so racially biased. Once again this shows that while we've made great strides in the struggle for civil rights, we still have a ways to go.

Item #2 Lost once again reclaims its title as best hour of television. That's mostly because The Shield is still on hiatus and the last season of Battlestar Galactica has been surprisingly uneven (but if the last episode was any indication, that ship may have been set back on-course). I am looking forward to sitting down this week and watching The Mole with my wife. Also I am real excited that the summer will bring with it new episodes of The Closer and also 30 Days. Who figured we'd get some quality television during the heat of July and August?

Item #3 This Saturday is Mrs. Lefty and my eleventh wedding anniversary. If I was a journalist (I only play on over at The Married Gamers) I should now be using the number 11 instead of the word eleven, which is a weird milestone for me just to figure out. To celebrate our anniversary this year, there will be no whitewater rafting, no movie dates in which the lead characters get a divorce and lead better lives apart from one another, and no bodily injuries. Instead we plan on recording a live podcast, and from there we are winging it. Well maybe some strip Rock Band, but variety is the spice of life.

Item #4 Thom over at In One Ear... made my month, heck maybe even my year. In addition to his Mixed bag Disc (which I plan on getting around to reviewing next week) he supplied with me with the Rosetta Stone to my Christian growth and development: Ric Alba's Holes in the Floor of Heaven, Swirling Eddies' Outdoor Elvis, and L.S.U. The Grape Prophet. I've wanted these CDs to replace my now lost or warped cassette copies I had years ago. They were so influential to my Christian growth because at the time I struggled with my faith and conformity. Christianity is not what you were, what you listen to, or who you vote for. These three albums revealed a then secret world of Christian music. Yes, they had a Christian worldview on them, but they had art and rock in mind, not JPM (Jesus Per Minute) not a copycat mentality that seemed to grip the Christian music industry for years (and still holds court today). Plus these three albums just rocks and blow my mind. Thanks Thom, thank you so very much. Now about The Throes first album...

Item #5 I have a comic book secret to reveal. I'm a 36 year old man in secret love with Tiny Titans. They're so adorable and part of the fun is knowing most of the history of the Teen Titans and seeing that history lightly touched on in a light-hearted and funny way. I picked up this series for my wife who thought they looked cute, but shhhhhhhh, don't tell anyone...but now they are top of the stack reads for me.

Item #6 There is no truth to the rumor that I am in fact a robot and the reason why I haven't been blogging is that I recent installed Vista on my hard drive and now can't seem to find my heart. 1011100110101010....All Your Base Belong To Us.

Item #7 Get Smart coming to a movie theater near you. I have to admit there is some appeal to it. The woman from Devil Wear Prada, but I can never remember her name and Steve Carrell, which may only have one L in his name but I can't remember or both to look it up. Interesting, but please some please poke burning hot corn dogs in my eyes if they ever make Family Ties into a movie. Oh and please attach me to the undercarriage of Prius and drive off if they make a Facts of Life movie with Kirstie Alley as Mrs Garette.

Item #8 John McCain is the candidate of change? Where? In Bizarro World? The only change McCain has done is how quickly he can change from embracing President Bush's failed agendas and how quickly he can run from any more photo-ops with the Albatross-In-Chief. I also love the selective memory (old age?) of John McCain saying that he;s the only guy who has reached across the aisle to get things done. Was it only a year or two ago when he and Obama worked together for campaign finance reform? And calling Obama the most liberal member of the Senate must really piss off Bernie Sanders, the socialist Senator from the great state of Vermont.

Item #9 I have begun watching the X-Files start to finish. I kind of doubt I'll be able to watch them all before the new movie comes out, but I'm enjoying the journey. Boy, the pant-suit sure has come a long way from the early 90s. I've been watching an episode during my lunch and then whenever I have some time during the day. Hopefully Netflix will be co-operative and get my mailbox full with the next disc in the run. I do feel a little bad, because I've had to put on hold my watching Newsradio from start to finish. I had forgotten how great that comedy was.

Item #10 So I'm back...kind of. I am dashing off to San Francisco and San Rafael for Game Press activities, which will undoubtedly be fun, exciting, and some work that isn't work. But I'll be back...I pinkie swear it.

Posted by Lefty at 07:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Friday and still another week before the end of the month (a.k.a. payday). Time to search for answers to this week's Three Questions:

1. How high does gas need to get per gallon for you to drastically change how you commute or even vacation?

2. Is there a food your significant other loves but you are largely indifferent to?

3. Do you have any books you plan on reading this summer?

Posted by Lefty at 02:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Hello? Is it me you're looking for?

It's been a while, but I am still here. During the down time here on Lefty Side of the Dial I have been dealing with some medical issues my wife has had, most of which has been diagnosed but have been recovered from. She swears her body is falling apart with all the health issues as of late. So it's been a difficult time trying to keep stuff rolling.

Also during my unplanned hiatus, I've been dealing with a severe cutback at work, which means some fancy footwork when it comes to deciding what journals and serials we may be canceling for the 2009 fiscal year. I'm very thankful that the subscription agent has some rather good reports I can take a gander at and make recommendations to my director. Also throwing a wrench into the machine that is summer projects is that after having just started pulling for binding, I have been told to stop and that we won't be binding for at least a year. So I've been doing the summer project shuffle, first up, catching up on Claims and Duplicate Exchange and in a week or two I'll be moving heaving bound volumes of journals to make sure room (what little we have) for future growth.

And of course the podcasting with my wife is moving along, and we've been reviewing games we've received from publishers. I am also gearing up for my trip to the Russian consulate in San Francisco to take an early look at some video games. I need to book the hotel today, it keeps slipping my mind. The Married Gamers recently passed episode forty which sort of amazes me. In a couple of weeks we are spending part of our 11th wedding anniversary podcasting live, which is kind of cool being that we ARE the MARRIED gamers. I'm trying to think of something cool to do for that.

A lot of my energy has been behind the scenes at the Married Gamers. Man it takes a lot of energy and time to get news items on the site, emailing PR contacts, arranging interviews, sending off request for press passes (just sent off our press request for the San Diego Comic Con), and of course editing the podcast. But a lot of it is happy work.

So often I forget to update Lefty Side of the Dial. I do want to record another episode of the Lefty Side of the Dial podcast. I have some ideas of what I'd like to cover and have sent out some feelers, but haven't firmed up plans. I have James Sime wanting to sit down and record something, and I want to bring in Mike Sterling on that conversation and talk about comics retailing....but with Rory Root passing away recently...a GIANT in comics retailing, that may have to wait.

So anyway, I'm here and expect some additional content from me in the coming days.

Posted by Lefty at 07:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This morning I started something I haven't done in a very long time. I picked up my inclusive language NIV bible and started reading the Book of Mark. If I remember my bible classes right, Mark is the oldest of the four gospels. I just read chapter 1, but I liked that it opens with John the Baptist and an adult Jesus. Personally I'm a little burned out on origin stories, even if it's Jesus...although I did enjoy Iron Man on Friday. (Wow, Jesus and Iron Man in one sentence)

Anyway, as I was reading through the first chapter I was struck by something. I have my doubts. Now I have to say that I do think it good and sometimes even necessary that Christians doubt their beliefs. It gives room to learn, reassess, and hopefully become better people and Christians. So why am I doubting so early into Mark? Well I kept wondering why. Why should God made flesh, savior to humankind decide to show up around 2011 years ago? Why wouldn't Jesus show up in more contemporary times. Not necessarily in my lifetime, but at least in a time where there would be more evidence, better record keeping, maybe even a photograph.

Just writing some of this now I think I have a few answers. Imagine if Jesus did arrive in say the 14th century. There's wouldn't be a Catholic church, who knows if there would have been a renaissance. On the other hand maybe we'd be further along technologically if the church hadn't pushed us into trying to destroy the Muslims and their technologies (not to mention a stellar library).

So anyway this is what's been going through my head. I also learned that I am really really bad at praying (also my first time in a real long time), and had a hard time praying for our President. I guess I am pretty bitter towards Bush.

Still reading a chapter in my bible each morning is something I am going to continue.

Posted by Lefty at 08:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

I feel guilty for asking this, but if you have a couple of minutes, could you do me a solid and leave a good review on Mrs. L and my gaming podcast, The Married Gamers over on iTunes. We're trying very hard to move up on the featured charts and get some more exposure, and I figure if folks can give us bad reviews never even listened to an episode, certainly folks can give us good reviews for doing the same.

Speaking of The Married Gamers, I've been spending a lot of time posting news on the front page there, and it's been like pulling nails trying to recruit writers to post news pertaining to the various platforms and consoles. We're getting to be a pretty well-known podcast now, but it's our website news section that has been our stumbling block in preventing us from getting review copies, promotional materials, and the like. It's really been a source of frustration in getting that rolling.

I still love podcasting with my wife. It has been on heck of an adventure, and this summer I think we are going to get to do lots of really cool stuff, including a dinner at the San Francisco Russian consulate, doing press at San Diego Comic Con, and hanging out at PAX in Seattle. It should also be stated that it has been awesome, fascinating, and humbling this little community that has grown up around our podcast. The gaming fanatics have this knack of making the comic fanboys look like proper gentlemen, so to have a community of over 200 people that are friendly to one another, despite our particular differences.

I don't think we'll ever make money on the gaming podcast. I'm pretty realistic that the Married gamers will never turn into my primary job. It won't open doors into gaming PR work. It won't change my economic status or star quotient. However it has brought my wife and I closer. We've learned to work better together, to trust one another's abilities, and to listen better. And that is way, way cool.

(Having more itunes reviews would be cool as well too!)

Posted by Lefty at 03:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today is a bit strange, I have a lot going on this weekend, so I feel exhausted already...so I don't have three prepared questions. So I've pulled three questions randomly from the internet. Enjoy!

1. Who was the hottest teacher you ever had?

2. Have you ever played a game that required clothes being removed? Any weird rules involved?

3. Have you ever dated someone just to get closer to their friends?

Posted by Lefty at 03:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I am continuing to answer your questions, so if there's something you want to ask, just leave it in the comments section. Today I am going to answer a couple of questions from an old, old friend, Anthony Velez:

1. For at least ten years you have sported a bald or buzzed dome, and yet you are not losing your hair. Why do you like this look so much? I think you wear it well, by the way. I am just curious.

2. Do you ever miss the young, perhaps mildly naive Chris, who with a big smile on his face would greet people with a "How are you today?" and "You have a wonderful day."?

1. I have to correct you. I am losing my hair. I am developing what they call a widow's peak that is slowly trying to find the back of my neck. Fortunately I don't mind it too much since I just shave my head. I wear it this way for multiple reasons. First of which is ease. I don't have to spend time perfecting my hair. It's wash and go. Second, I have not been to the hair salon in 15 years. Let's say I go to the hair salon twice a month at ten dollars a pop, I've saved $3,600! Last but not least when I'm bald or shave very close, I look like a person not to mess with, which is great cover for a pacifist like me,

2. Well I still think I'm nice to most people. I still open doors for people. I still address people with a Mr, Ms, or Mrs. I think I do regret becoming a bit more surly in nature, and I wish I could pinpoint when that slide happened to see what may have triggered it. So yeah I guess I regret it somewhat.

Posted by Lefty at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)