[ 
Mood: Sleepy ]
M is for Maple is a beautifully illustrated alphabet book. It’s focus is on Canadiana, which suits me fine. H is for Hockey. Geeklet enjoyed the colours.
If I have quibble it is that E was for English, but that they don’t mention French until the get to Q is for Quebec. Given that Husband Unit is Francophone, I would have like more of an emphasis on French.
This one is fun and helps me raise the next generation of Canadians.
[ 
Mood: Cool ]
[ Currently: Breastfeeding my son ]
Counting books are a part of motherhood. You read them with/to/at your child hoping that it will help them pick up numbers. Most of them are as dull as dishwater.
But not this one. Sandra Boynton has created a world where a total of 44 hippos comne and go through the book, all rotating around an impromptu house party. The illustrations are fit the silly tone of this book. Whimsical and entertaining for parents as well, the book is fun to read with/to/at your child.
Enjoy!
It’s too bad Kirby didn’t live long enough to see his epic Fourth World reviewed in The New York Times.
| Quote: |
| It’s hard to know what a teenager would make of this. But Kirby was writing just as much for himself. He was 53 when he undertook the Fourth World, and a veteran of World War II. But as Evanier points out, and as is evident throughout this book, Kirby was deeply inspired by the young generation that was renouncing war around him. His understanding of the youth movement was perhaps idiosyncratic (in Kirby’s world, the “Hairies” built their perfect society in a giant missile carrier they called “The Mountain of Judgment”). But they too were forging a new world; and the pleasure he clearly took in their efforts seems to have balanced the bouts of Orion-like rage. In one moment, Highfather of New Genesis turns to one of the young boys in his care. “Esak,” he asks, “what is it that makes the very young — so very wise?”
“Tee hee!!” Esak replies. “It’s our defense, Highfather — against the very old!!” This is probably the only passage in the English language containing the words “tee hee” that has actually moved me. |
The Fourth World reviewed in NYT was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon
[ 
Mood: Happy ]
The third season of The Venture Bros. starts tonight at 10:30 CST. For those that can’t or won’t wait, the fine folks at Adult Swim offer the ENTIRE episode for FREE!
And if that wasn’t enough, there’s a new list of Brock’s Ten Best Beatdowns.
New Venture Bros. TONIGHT! was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon
[ 
Mood: In Love ]
[ Currently: Pumping breast milk. ]
Note this entry has been in the works since Friday, but due to a variety of "fun" and "interesting" things that have happened, which I am not getting into right now, you are getting it now.
I have spoken before about my love of the fabulous Tim Gunn. Well Tim has come out with his own book on fashion.
This book wants to show women how to dress. Not in a What Not to Wear way, where they belittle you and humiliate you. That would be the tear you down to build you up philosophy.
No, Tim Gunn wants to shows women how to dress without losing site of their personality. "We can do better" is his motto. Tim feels that he is taking women on a journey of growth and self-discovery that will lead them to look better and feel better.
Tim’s philosophy about fashion is that women really only need a few essential pieces to make a wardrobe that will be ready for any occasion. All the pieces must be soul stiring and look fabulous on you. You deserve no less.
This book is written to mimic Tim’s breezy and verbose speaking style. As you read it, you feel like you are watching Project Runway and he is your mentor. And that makes it easier to remember his advice when you shop. The book has also inspired the Bravo TV show Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style.
If you are looking to update your look, are fashion challenged or just like a good non-fiction read, this is the book for you. And fellas, just cause it is written for women, does not mean it can’t help you either.
DC recently announced this fascinating gem.
| Quote: |
| DC COMICS GOES APE
Written by Otto Binder, John Broome, Gardner Fox and others; Art by Carmine Infantino, Wayne Boring, George Papp, Ross Andru, C.C. Beck, Jim Starlin and others; Cover by Arthur Adams You’ll go bananas for this new title collecting simian stories from SUPERBOY #76, SUPERMAN #138, THE FLASH (VOL. 1) #127, DETECTIVE COMICS #339 and 482, HAWKMAN #16, WONDER WOMAN #170, STRANGE ADVENTURES #201, SHAZAM #9, SUPER FRIENDS #30 and THE FLASH (VOL. 2) #151! DC Universe | 168pg. | Color | Softcover | $19.99 US On Sale October 1, 2008 |
As a well known ape aficionado, this collection interested me as I began wondering how many of these stories I’ve actually read.
Superman #138 “Titano the Super-Ape” Perhaps the most famous Superman-Titano story of them all. The second appearance of Titano with the classic King Kong-homage cover of Titano climbing the Daily Planet building. This is often reprinted, most notably in the classic DC Super Special #16: Super-heroes Battle Super-Gorillas.
The Flash (VOL. 1) #127 “The Reign of the Super-Gorilla!” Perhaps the finest Gorilla Grodd story ever. Another one reprinted in DC Super Special #16.
Detective Comics #339 “Batman Battles the Living Beast-Bomb!” The oft-reprinted tale that introduced Carmine Infantino’s new look to the Batman franchise. This one was in DC Super Special #16 as well.
Detective Comics #482 “Night of the Body Snatcher” I’ve never seen this one, but with story/pencils by Jim Starlin and inks by P. Craig Russell, I’m looking forward to it. I only wish they were reprinting the entire double-sized Batman Family issue. Luckily the Michael Golden-drawn Bat-Mite adventure was reprinted in The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told (another great collection).
Hawkman #16 “Lord of the Flying Gorillas!” One of the inspirations for my story “I Was the Bride of Rothro, King of the Giant Flying Vampire Gorillas From the Earth’s Core” (Negative Burn #47, drawn by John Lucas).
Wonder Woman #170 “Wonder Woman… Gorilla!” THE Wonder Woman-gorilla tale. Reprinted in the classic DC Super Special #16.
Strange Adventures #201 “The Mod Gorilla Boss!” This odd cross of DC’s poor understanding of sixties pop culture, apes, and mobs lead to one of the most unusual Animal Man stories of all. I actually own this. I’d be a tad ashamed for me.
Shazam #9 “The Day Captain Marvel Went Ape!” Surprisingly, this is not even the best Captain Marvel ape story. That’s reserved for the delightful Marvel Family #85 “The Marvel Family Battles the Primate Plot”, reprinted in both Limited Collector’s Edition #C-21 and The Greatest Shazam Stories Ever Told.
Super Friends #30 “Gorilla Warfare Against the Humans” I’ve never read this one but it features a tale using Grodd and Giganta (in apparently her first Earth-1 appearance).
The Flash (VOL. 2) #151 “Territorealis” Another story I haven’t read. Apparently, a Teen Titans flashback story.
Of the eleven stories, I’ve read all but three. I’m both proud and ashamed.
DC Comics Go Ape was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon
[ 
Mood: Amused ]
According to Dwight Schrute in his blog, manga featuring shokushu goukan (tentacle rape) is not only repulsive but actually pointless.
| Quote: |
| These comics feature Japanese women getting taken advantage of by octopi. I truly do not understand their appeal. Octopi are, by their very nature, non-sexual creatures. After they reproduce, both the mother and father octopus die within a matter of months. What’s sexy about that? To chronicle the sexual nature of an octopus is as pointless as trying to find a beet weevil in December – it’s just a waste of time. |
He goes on to defend the poor octopus.
| Quote: |
| What do the Japanese have against octopi? What did octopi ever do to the Japanese besides providing a tremendous amount of nourishment in the form of tako sushi? It baffles me. It angers me. It saddens me.
The mighty octopus should be respected, not depicted as some horrible marine rapist. |
Turns out Dwight is a big fan of Ranma ½, because “there are no horny vindictive creatures with tentacles.”
Observations such as this are why The Office is one of the funniest shows on TV.
Dwight Schrute on Tentacle Porn was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon
[ Mood: Sleepy ]
[ Currently: Breastfeeding my son ]
Jade is having nightmares in which women are being strangled. While she sees some of the assault from the victim’s point of view, she does not see the killer’s face. The police are skeptical, her parents are concerned. Jade races to find out who the killer is before he claims his next victim. This race is made more desperate when her dream reveals that the next victim is Jade’s best friend’s mom.
This is author Carol Matas’ sequel to The Freak. Like the first book, the story moved along quickly, with lots of excitement and turns. Jade tries to learn more about her powers so that she can better use them.
Good book. I understand there is a third one on the way.
[ 
Mood: Shocked ]
You may remember how I have blogged about the fountain of poop. I have now seen something far, far more terrifying – the Poozooka.
This morning, Husband Unit was changing our son when suddenly he projectile pooped. (The boy, not the Husband Unit.) That’s right, poop shot out of his butt and across the room. It stopped a foot away when it hit the diaper wipes box. Given the speed it was travelling, it would have gone further, so we count ourselves lucky.
My boy has revealed his mutant power. He will be able to use his ability to poop to blow badguys out of the sky. As a bonus it will fertilize the garden. Beware, enemies of Canada, we know have a weapon of mass destruction – well beyond Celine Dion.
Although, as his mother, I am concerned about what his costume is going to look like. And will I have to make it. And will hemroids be his kryptonite?
We will keep you informed.
[ Mood: Sleepy ]
[ Currently: Breastfeeding my son ]
Sookie Stackhouse thought her life was going well. She had a boyfriend, Bill, who also happens to be a vampire. Given that Sookie is psychic, having a vampire as a boyfriend is a good thing. Psychics can’t read vampires minds. So for Sookie, it means that she can relax and truly let her guard down, something she can’t doe around human men.
Then one day, Sookie arrives at work to find the dead body of one of the cooks stuffed into the back of a local cops’s car. She wants to find out who killed Lafayette, but before she can delve too deep into that mystery, Eric, the local vampire master sends her and Bill to Dallas to help that group of vampires find one of their own who has gone missing.
This is the second in Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Series. And unlike many series, the second book is stronger than the first. Sookie’s adventures in Dallas open up whole new parts of the supernatural world to her and the readers. Harris has now given herself a great deal of options for sequels. This is good as there are only so many people you can kill in a small town before someone gets suspisious – Jessica Fletcher, I am looking at you.
Good book – will read the third.