I met Randy at a movie theater in Beaumont, Texas. He had come to Beaumont to visit JimD, meet me and catch a screening of Superman: The Movie. That's one of two times we've been able to hang out, but I've been there online to find out he was moving to Tennessee, getting married, and now, he's on his second child.
10 years, y'all.
Here to Randolph and making friends across the internets!
I had a version of this e-mail ready to go, but then I read Steven's letter, and managed to get an advanced copy of the 10th Anniversary post, so I re-worked it. Is that cheating?
I vaguely remember receiving an email from JimD many years ago telling me that I must read this blog a college buddy of his started. As with most things JimD recommends, I ignore it the first couple of times. (I do this despite JimD's amazing track record of recommending insanely awesome things). I - again - vaguely recall clicking the link, quickly scanning the first few posts, and moving on. A few days (weeks?) later, JimD's second email was along the lines of "you need to read his blog or he'll stop writing and that would be a tragedy". And for whatever reason, I clicked the link again and started reading a post. God knows what was the subject of that first post (probably comics), but I was hooked. I probably didn't start regularly visiting the blog for a few weeks (This was pre-Google Reader), but for at least two-thirds of the past 10 years, I visited League of Melbotis more than once a day, and commenting constantly. In fact, after Google Reader came along, I didn't add The League's feed because I would visit the site more often than Reader refreshed the feed. Good times.
Film. Comics. Sci-Fi. Superheroes. Pulp. Noir. History. Superman. 20th Century Archaeology.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's Superman: The Musical!
Holy cow.
I've known about It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman! for around 10-12 years, but I had never seen it in any form. Originally produced as a campy Broadway spectacular in 1966 (it debuted the same year as the Adam West TV show), the show ran for about four months before closing. I think that, these days, the show has mostly been forgotten.
In 1975, because nobody was paying attention, ABC broadcast a version of the musical. Reportedly the program aired a single time, fairly late at night and in a dead zone where networks were often trying to figure out how to fill the airwaves*. To the best of my knowledge, there is no legally obtainable copy of the broadcast available. For Superman fans, the musical is about as close to an intentionally obscure artifact as I can think of to that king of pop cultural ephemera, the Star Wars Holiday Special. Superman fans have all seen clips or stills, but we haven't seen the actual full program.
This week, I did obtain a copy. We'll keep it a little shrouded in mystery, but my source knows who he is, and knows how awesome he or she is. As the existence of this video may not be entirely on the up and up (and so offended am I that I have immediately burned the DVD so that NONE may find yourself tainted by the sheer audacity of it's illegality), I'm keeping the gifter's name out of it.
But, thanks, man. That was SUPER of you!**
The video itself is a transfer from tape. Tape from 1975. So, it's got some rough edges and the sound is occasionally wobbly because: aging analog media. It's not the drug-fueled nightmare that the Star Wars Holiday Special devolves into within minutes of the opening, and, frankly, the Star Wars Special had about 20 times the budget of this show. It's also an oddball bit of nerd media, and would fit nicely on your shelf next to the shelved low-budget, very 90's Justice League pilot, the Legends of the Superheroes, the Captain America TV movies, etc... etc... But the musical is pure hammy schmaltz, but intentionally so, and it's oddly charming, even if it's not much of a musical.
I've known about It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman! for around 10-12 years, but I had never seen it in any form. Originally produced as a campy Broadway spectacular in 1966 (it debuted the same year as the Adam West TV show), the show ran for about four months before closing. I think that, these days, the show has mostly been forgotten.
In 1975, because nobody was paying attention, ABC broadcast a version of the musical. Reportedly the program aired a single time, fairly late at night and in a dead zone where networks were often trying to figure out how to fill the airwaves*. To the best of my knowledge, there is no legally obtainable copy of the broadcast available. For Superman fans, the musical is about as close to an intentionally obscure artifact as I can think of to that king of pop cultural ephemera, the Star Wars Holiday Special. Superman fans have all seen clips or stills, but we haven't seen the actual full program.
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| Can you read my mind? |
This week, I did obtain a copy. We'll keep it a little shrouded in mystery, but my source knows who he is, and knows how awesome he or she is. As the existence of this video may not be entirely on the up and up (and so offended am I that I have immediately burned the DVD so that NONE may find yourself tainted by the sheer audacity of it's illegality), I'm keeping the gifter's name out of it.
But, thanks, man. That was SUPER of you!**
The video itself is a transfer from tape. Tape from 1975. So, it's got some rough edges and the sound is occasionally wobbly because: aging analog media. It's not the drug-fueled nightmare that the Star Wars Holiday Special devolves into within minutes of the opening, and, frankly, the Star Wars Special had about 20 times the budget of this show. It's also an oddball bit of nerd media, and would fit nicely on your shelf next to the shelved low-budget, very 90's Justice League pilot, the Legends of the Superheroes, the Captain America TV movies, etc... etc... But the musical is pure hammy schmaltz, but intentionally so, and it's oddly charming, even if it's not much of a musical.
Your Daily Dose of Good Cheer (Bonus Edition): Sean Young in Blade Runner
Somehow I never pre-set this column to go off yesterday. I simply had no post for 03/30. Kind of weird.
Anyway, let's give Sean Young credit where it's due.
NathanC on The League's 10th!
I don't recall exactly when I met NathanC, but i recall seeing him play in a band called "Barnyard Commandos" at my high school's rockfest. I know I'd met him before he met up with my brother at Trinity in San Antonio when they were both Freshmen. And, not only have we been pals ever since, but Nathan knew Jamie separately from knowing me back at Trinity, as well. So, longtime pal.
No matter what happens with this blogging business, I know that Nathan will still be popping up at odd hours at my house until one or both of us goes.
Lovin’ the League
I’ve told the League (I cannot in any way refer to him as ‘Ryan’ in cyberspace) many times that he should be writing a column for the paper. Or a book.
I’ve know Mr. League for close to 20 years now, and always found him to be a bright boy. But something in his nut cracked when he moved to Arizona. The dearth of cultural activities in Chandler turned him inward, and then led him to spew his thoughts upon the interwebs with the classic-era blog “League of Melbotis.” The life and times of livin’ large in AZ were supplemented by remembrances of better (and worse) times in Texas, including some of my favorite stories about working for the Mouse at Willowbrook Mall, or the rat at Chuck-E-Cheese.
The League writes well, and continues to do so with The Signal Watch. His online persona is honest and not without a little humorous sarcasm. He speaks for the frustrated observer of life and culture. His takedown of Johnny Clambake’s is legendary.
And he brings people together. As many have said before in this spot, the League of Melbotis was a social network when Marc Zuckerberg was only...
Oh, wait a second, Facebook started in 2004?
Well, you were a little ahead of the game.
No matter what happens with this blogging business, I know that Nathan will still be popping up at odd hours at my house until one or both of us goes.
Lovin’ the League
I’ve told the League (I cannot in any way refer to him as ‘Ryan’ in cyberspace) many times that he should be writing a column for the paper. Or a book.
I’ve know Mr. League for close to 20 years now, and always found him to be a bright boy. But something in his nut cracked when he moved to Arizona. The dearth of cultural activities in Chandler turned him inward, and then led him to spew his thoughts upon the interwebs with the classic-era blog “League of Melbotis.” The life and times of livin’ large in AZ were supplemented by remembrances of better (and worse) times in Texas, including some of my favorite stories about working for the Mouse at Willowbrook Mall, or the rat at Chuck-E-Cheese.
The League writes well, and continues to do so with The Signal Watch. His online persona is honest and not without a little humorous sarcasm. He speaks for the frustrated observer of life and culture. His takedown of Johnny Clambake’s is legendary.
And he brings people together. As many have said before in this spot, the League of Melbotis was a social network when Marc Zuckerberg was only...
Oh, wait a second, Facebook started in 2004?
Well, you were a little ahead of the game.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Jamie has her say on 10 Years of Blogging
Jamie and I have been together for over 17 years, married for almost 13. Of that, 10 years has been spent online. She really never has to wonder what I'm up to or thinking because: there you go. Just check the post in the morning.
She's been a sport about her supporting role in this endeavor, and her level of joy at participation waxes and wanes, depending on what's going on. I will say, I found it pretty hilarious (and telling) that we essentially end our posts the same way.
I have been extraordinarily lucky to team up with a partner who is as patient and understanding not just about my hobbies, but about this endless blogging business of which she's been a part. She's the light of my life, my north star, all that jazz... Love you, pumpkin.
When Ryan sent out a request for reflections on his ten years of bloggership, I immediately thought - "what better way to toast the League than the League's own words?". I decided I wanted to go back through League of Melbotis and The Signal Watch and select the most memorable posts from his impressive run.
Holy smokes, ten years. Do you have any idea how much material that is? That's a LOT of blogging. I would have regretted this decision had it not been a joy to comb through the archives in search of my favorite posts. The hardest part was selection. My first pass through all ten years netted no fewer than 50 entries. Fifty seemed a little too much for a "best of" tribute, so I have narrowed it down to 10.
I am well aware that everyone has different opinions and some of my selections may seem strange, but I tried to nail down those posts which I immediately remembered or to which I had a significant emotional response. So without further ado, in chronological order, I present to you:
10 Posts of Note: A League of Melbotis/ The Signal Watch Retrospective
When Ryan fist started League of Melbotis in April of 2003, we had lived in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler for almost a year, had yet to make any friends aside from one of the guys I worked with, and were gearing up for another soul sucking Arizona summer. The blog was a great outlet for Ryan's frustration and talent for writing. Some of the more common earlier posts took the form of relaying our outings in and around the Chandler area:
1. The Chandler Jazz Festival
Birdemic 2 in Austin! Join us!
I have secured my ticket for Birdemic 2: The Resurrection for when it makes its Austin debut on April 18th, 2013.
If you would like to join me, I'll be at Lakecreek Alamo on April 18th in seats 5509 and 5510.
Buy your tickets now and do not miss out on this unique experience!
Birdemic 2!
If you would like to join me, I'll be at Lakecreek Alamo on April 18th in seats 5509 and 5510.
Buy your tickets now and do not miss out on this unique experience!
Birdemic 2!
League of Melbotis: 10 Years of Blogging
March 30th, 2013 marks the 10th anniversary of my blogging habit. Ten years, something around 5000 posts. That's just the blogs of which I've been chief proprietor. I also wrote briefly with other folks at Nanostalgia and at Film Fodder (a paying gig! I made, literally, about $1.25).
So, I've written and posted a lot. Big whoop. Sometimes I wonder if I've a small case of hypergraphia that's gone undiagnosed, but we won't dwell on that here today.
Pushing through the haze and trying to remember why and how... you start making up stories in your own head to make it sound better. But it's mostly right there in print. At the age of 27, looking down the barrel of 28, I kicked off the first blog, League of Melbotis.
So, I've written and posted a lot. Big whoop. Sometimes I wonder if I've a small case of hypergraphia that's gone undiagnosed, but we won't dwell on that here today.
Pushing through the haze and trying to remember why and how... you start making up stories in your own head to make it sound better. But it's mostly right there in print. At the age of 27, looking down the barrel of 28, I kicked off the first blog, League of Melbotis.
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| this is no fantasy... no careless product of wild imagination... |
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