Monthly Archives: October 2011

Halloween Humor

Posted on October 31, 2011 by James| Comments Off

Happy Halloween!

Posted in Humor

Jack-O-Lanterns

Posted on October 30, 2011 by James| Comments Off

Posted in Because I Can

Diablo III Collector’s Edition Announced

Posted on October 29, 2011 by James| Comments Off

Diabo III Collector's Edition

Gamers are still wondering when in the wild, wild world of sports will Diablo III will be released. Developer Blizzard claims they are in the home stretch of finishing the action-RPG sequel that was first announced over three years ago. However there is a hopeful sign that the game is getting closer to becoming a reality. During BlizzCon this weekend Blizzard announced plans to release a Collector’s Edition of the game.

This version of the PC/Mac game will have lots more than the game itself. It will also have a lot of extras. One is a 4 GB Flash drive that will contain a free version of the last game in the series, Diablo II, along with its expansion pack. The Flash drive comes in the shape of a soulstone that can be put into an included base that looks like the Diablo skull. It’s perfect for gamers who need something to show others how geeky …. er, dedicated they are to Blizzard’s creations.

Other extras in the Collector’s Edition include a two disk Blu-Ray/DVD set that goes behind the scenes of the game’s creation (after all this development time it should be pretty extensive) along with a 200 page art book, the game’s soundtrack on CD and some exclusive in-game content.

Posted in Because I Can, Gaming

Today…

Posted on October 29, 2011 by James| Comments Off

In 1886, the ticker-tape parade is invented in New York City when office workers spontaneously throw ticket tape into the streets as the Statue of Liberty is dedicated.

In 1929, the New York Stock Exchange crashes in what will be called the Crash of ’29 or Black Tuesday, ending the Great Bull Market of the 1920s and beginning the Great Depression.

In 1960, in Louisville, Kentucky, Cassius Clay (who later takes the name Muhammad Ali) wins his first professional fight.

In 1969, the first-ever computer-to-computer link is established on ARPANET, the precursor to the Internet.

In 1998, Space Shuttle Discovery blasts-off with 77-year old John Glenn on board, making him the oldest person to go into space. He became the first American to orbit Earth on February 20, 1962.

Posted in Because I Can, On This Day

Happy Birthday, Charlie Daniels

Posted on October 28, 2011 by James| Comments Off

Charles Edward Daniels is an American country music, Southern rock, and jazz singer, fiddler, and guitarist.

Charles Daniels (October 28, 1936 - )

Wikipedia Link

Posted in Because I Can, Music, On This Day

RIP Rex Stout

Posted on October 27, 2011 by James| Comments Off

Rex Stout (December 1, 1886 – October 27, 1975)

Rex Todhunter Stout was an American writer noted for his detective fiction. Stout is best known as the creator of the larger-than-life fictional detective Nero Wolfe, described by reviewer Will Cuppy as “that Falstaff of detectives.” Wolfe’s assistant Archie Goodwin recorded the cases of the detective genius from 1934 (Fer-de-Lance) to 1975 (A Family Affair).

Posted in Because I Can, Literary

Dreamliner 787 makes first commercial flight

Posted on October 26, 2011 by James| Comments Off

Boeing Dreamliner lands in Hong Kong after 1st commercial flight

The Boeing Co Dreamliner, the world’s first carbon-composite airliner, flew to Hong Kong from Tokyo carrying its first paying passengers today in a flight that could set a new benchmark in air travel.

Its takeoff into clear blue skies after a salute and shower by an airport fire truck came exactly 53 years after Boeing’s first ever jetliner, the 707, began commercial services in the Pan Am colors.

The Dreamliner does not fly any faster than that first aircraft, but it is not supposed to. Instead, it is designed to make the hours aloft more pleasant for passengers and cheaper to fly for owners battling for profit amid the rise of low cost carriers.

Posted in News, Planes Trains and Automobiles

Honda GRX

Posted on October 26, 2011 by James| Comments Off

Click for larger image

Had it been built as designed, the Honda GRX concept would likely have been the true spiritual successor to the much-loved CRX. Created for the 2006 Michelin Challenge Design competition and shown at the Detroit auto show that year, the compact GRX was exceptionally light, and so its Honda Goldwing-derived 1,500cc six-cylinder, horizontally opposed engine was a viable powertrain.

Posted in Because I Can, Planes Trains and Automobiles

RIP Roger Miller

Posted on October 25, 2011 by James| Comments Off

Roger Dean Miller was an American singer, songwriter, and musician.

Roger Miller (January 2, 1936 – October 25, 1992)

Wikipedia Link

Posted in Because I Can, Music, On This Day

RIP Don Messick

Posted on October 24, 2011 by James| Comments Off

On October 24, 1997, the animation industry lost a treasure. Don Messick‘s entertainment career spanned seven decades, with forty years of voice work in animation. Messick performed in over 100 animated programs, providing voices for some of the most beloved cartoon characters on television, including Astro and Rudy on “The Jetsons,” Bamm Bamm on “The Flintstones,” Boo Boo and Ranger Smith on “Yogi Bear and Friends,” Dr. Benton Quest and Bandit on “The Adventures of Jonny Quest,” Ricochet Rabbit on “Magilla Gorilla,” Papa Smurf on “The Smurfs,” and his most famous role, Scooby Doo, in countless formats.

Thank you, Don, for one of my most cherished memories of childhood. Scooby Doo was my hero. – James

Posted in Because I Can, On This Day, The Little Screen (Television)

Said the Obverse…

Posted on October 21, 2011 by James| Comments Off

Said the Obverse to the Reverse
“You are evil, mad, and perverse”
Said the Reverse to the Obverse
“Neener neener you’re far worse”
Never knowing they were joined
Being two sides of one coin.

Posted in Because I Can, Humor

A Gem From the ‘Net

Posted on October 20, 2011 by James| Comments Off

Gazebo ('nuff said)

Thanks, Mr. Gartin

Posted in Because I Can, Gaming, Humor

RIP, Mr. Cunningham…

Posted on October 19, 2011 by James| Comments Off

Tom Bosley (October 1, 1927 - October 19, 2010)

Thomas Edward “Tom” Bosley was an American actor, best known for his starring and supporting roles on the television shows Happy Days; Murder, She Wrote and Father Dowling Mysteries, as well as the title role in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Fiorello!

Wikipedia Link

Posted in Because I Can, On This Day, The Little Screen (Television)

Happy Birthday, Robert Jordan

Posted on October 17, 2011 by James| Comments Off

Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr. (October 17, 1948 – September 16, 2007), under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the names Reagan O’Neal and Jackson O’Reily.

Wikipedia Link

Posted in Because I Can, Literary, On This Day