Tuesday, April 16, 2013

A to Z Challenge – Near Dark and No Excuses, Plus Ninja News and Ship My Pants

My theme for the A to Z Challenge is Favorite Movies, Bloggers, and Music! I’ll name a favorite movie that corresponds with the letter, and then select a character from the film. I will then name a favorite blogger who reminds me of that character, and then dedicate a song to him. (Also corresponding with the alphabet.) I’ll wrap it all up with trivia and/or fun facts about the movie, the blogger, or the music!

In addition, two lucky commenters this month will receive a review copy of CassaStorm! One comment per day and each is worth one entry except – the first and one hundredth comments on each day will receive ten entries!

Near Dark

A gritty and very original take on the vampire lore. (In fact, the word vampire is never uttered.) Moments of quiet atmosphere are followed by intense action. The cast is great and obviously had fun in their roles.

Mae is a quiet girl holding a secret. Her gentle spirit offsets the crass behavior of those around her. She’s consistent and devoted, doing what she can for the others.

Who is Mae?

Michelle at Writer-In-Transit!

She keeps her personal life and appearance hidden, but that doesn’t stop her spirit from shining through. Michelle is always there, quietly supporting in the background. If she were to leave though, it would leave a big hole in the blogging world.

Michelle is a writer, flash fiction master, and one awesome Ninja Minion.

To you I dedicate No Excuses by Alice in Chains. (Song title leads to YouTube.)

For the simple fact you don’t allow excuses – you are always there, always trying, always believing!

Trivia and Facts:

Near Dark was Bigelow’s directorial debut, but it was also the last film ever produced by this major studio, often symbolized by three letters – name it.

M’s trivia answer – Switchfoot is a surfing term. (The members are from California and big time surfer dudes.)


Ninja News

Anne R. Allen had an informative post this weekend about Amazon algorithms.

This weekend I received a sweet photo of Jennifer Hillier and Nancy Thompson out causing trouble. But they’re both cute, so they can get away with it.


Rachel Schieffelbein is hosting the Secondary Characters Blogfest on May 22 in honor of the release of her upcoming book.



Thanks to everyone who signed up for the Best/Worst Movie Remake Blogfest on May 17!


And I wanted to share commercial with you guys. Yes, this is a real Internet commercial.

'Ship My Pants' Kmart Ad: For The 12-Year-Old In All Of Us



Ever seen the movie Near Dark? Following the awesome Michelle? Any Alice in Chains fans? Know the trivia today? Excited about the blogfests? And after watching that commercial, what word did you hear besides ship…?

133 comments:

Al Diaz said...

Geez! it's so late already? Or so early!

Al Diaz said...

I have not seen that movie but Michelle is wonderful, I agree. Very sweet and supportive. Great girl!

(Dragon, go to sleep) Yeah...

Livia Peterson said...

I've heard of Michelle before, but I don't follow her. I should and will follow her. Awesome choice, Alex! I'm loving this theme more and more!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I haven't actually seen Near Dark. I'll have to go find it.
Nancy and Jennifer, such troublemakers ;)

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

That commercial is hilarious. I wonder how they all got through it without laughing. I didn't hear "ship" until I was listening for it. Will check out the cool ladies and make sure I'm following them.

xoRobyn

Andrew Leon said...

I've never even heard of that movie...

Oh, hey, it's ninja day!

Cynthia said...

I remember there was a jeans brand back in the '80s/'90s called No Excuses.

Mark Means said...

I don't know Michelle, but she sounds like a great gal.

Jennifer and Nancy are a couple of cuties, for sure :)

Looking forward to your blogfest next month!

RaveAir said...

You found a very strange movie I've never heard about it.

Samantha May said...

Sounds like my kind of movie! I like grittier takes on vampires. I think 30 Days of Night is another good example of that.

Going to sign up for the blogfest! It'll probably be my last major post before I jet off to France :)

And really, Kmart? :D

Empty Nest Insider said...

Everything you said about Michelle is true, and she does have that mysterious ninja quality! Loved that Kmart commercial! "I just shipped my drawers," is my favorite line." Good of you to cheer everyone up Alex.

Julie

Ray Rousell said...

I'd forgotten all about Near Dark, what a great movie!!!

Elise Fallson said...

I've never seen the movie Near Dark, but I like how you described Michelle, she is one of my best blogging buddies and is such a talented individual. Meeting her last year during A-Z was for me, one of the best things about the challenge. So glad you featured her today. (:

Nancy Thompson said...

An awesome song by an awesome band for an awesome writer! I don't know the flick though. But aw, there we are, cheering you, Alex! Such a fun time we had. Someday, you'll have to join us. Surfing! Of course! Why didn't I think of that? Already signed up for the blogfest. And isn't that ad hysterical? Can you believe some people are offended? I laughed!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex .. I've no idea about the Film .. or Michelle - but I need to check her out ...

The ad - I heard not many words .. free and drawers .. my ... I'll be waiting to see your answer tomorrow - cheers Hilary

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Don't think I've seen Near Dark before. Jen and Nancy look very mischievous in that photo.

Anonymous said...

Great choice for your theme.
Looking forward to your blogfest so have to get thinking about that before long.

Yvonne.

mooderino said...

Jennifer and Nancy out on the town together - looks like trouble.

mood

A Daft Scots Lass said...

I saw the ship my pants ad on YouTube the other day and had to show my kids. We giggled until we nearly peed.

Anonymous said...

I just shipped my sheets! Alex...it's too early to have something that funny on your blog! I almost shipped myself.

Oh...I sent you an email (earthlink)...don't know if that's an address you check often.

Great post! And next time, warn me a little better. :)

Anonymous said...

I just shipped my sheets! Alex...it's too early to have something that funny on your blog! I almost shipped myself.

Oh...I sent you an email (earthlink)...don't know if that's an address you check often.

Great post! And next time, warn me a little better. :)

shelly said...

I actually got a good night's rest an so did Sweetman so I got up early to read posts. Yay!

Is the vampire movie a new one?

Michelle is great!

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly

Anonymous said...

Near Dark...got to watch this movie now!!

M.J. Fifield said...

Hahahahaha! Thanks for the laugh. It's a great way to start my day.

Rhonda Albom said...

Everything here is new to me today. New movie, new blogger (Michelle) and new song.

Rhonda @Laugh-Quotes.com

J.L. Murphey said...

Hilarious commercial for Kmart in a mess in cheeks sort of way.

Michelle Wallace said...

Yay!! I'm featured today! Thanks a million!

Alex, you more-or-less nailed the description!
I really prefer to be "hidden in the background" just doing my little bit... which is a conflicting part of the lifestyle I lead, with too many "limelight" moments (which I dislike, but it comes with the territory... I've often wondered if I can perform with a bag over my head...)

And "no excuses" is an integral part of my life philosophy. (Checked out the video... great track!) Don't dwell on excuses, because then the focus is all skewed. I don't want to hear excuses, I want solutions! Pronto!

I am the eternal optimist... though it's a "reality-driven" optimism! I see things for what they are! No rose-tinted spectacles for me!

Flash fiction master? Not too sure about that... but I do love my flash fiction...

... and I think I've said way too much already...

Writer In Transit

Tina said...

Video won't play. Windows 8 hates me. I can barely get anything done since the last "update". Am about ready to pull my hair out. Haven't seen that movie, but reminded me of Pitch Black, though that's an entirely different movie!
Yeah for Michelle! Been to her place before because I recognize the banner. Will have to go say "Hi" again. And HA! I made it to your blog today before you made it to mine. That has NEVER happened!

Tina @ Life is Good
Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
@TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge

Rusty Carl said...

Never heard of Near Dark, I'll sorta try to check it out.

Unknown said...

I love Michelle from the writer in transit. She's awesome. I'm going to have to make a list of the movies you listed during this challenge and watch the ones I haven't seen before.

Angela Brown said...

Ship my pants! Hot stuff lol!!

I haven't seen that flick but sounds interesting. May have to check it out soon.

For the trivia, I can only think of MGM but that can not be right so moving on.

Great pic of the chicas. The drinks look delish.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Robyn, we watched it several times at work yesterday and couldn't stop laughing.

Mark, yes they are!

Samantha, glad you can join us.

Ray, someone who remembers it!

Elise, some of my best blogger buddies came from the Challenges.

Nancy, I think it's hilarious.

ML, glad I could give you a good laugh!

Shelly, it came out in the 1980's.

Michelle, you are most welcome. Not too sure about the bag over your head though. And yes, you are a flash fiction master.

Tina, first time for everything, although I was just at yours, so it was close.

Anonymous said...

That Kmart ad went viral. I think it's cringeworthy funny.

ediFanoB said...

Near Dark is totally unknown to me.

Anne R. Allen's post about Amazon algorithms is indeed interesting.

Jo said...

MGM I think. That's unusual for me to know a trivia.

Ship my pants is great.

JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

Unknown said...

I must see near Dark, I am sure I would enjoy it!

Yeah, Michelle is the best!

Bob/Sally said...

Wow, haven't thought about (or seen) Near Dark in ages. Great flick.

Unknown said...

That commercial is being sent to my husband as soon as I'm done writing this! Hilarious!

Old Kitty said...

Ship my pants!! LOL!! I just shipped my pants in bed!! LOL!! Pants is knickers here btw! LOL!! Is it MGM for the trivia question?

Take care
x

Heather M. Gardner said...

OMG. I've seen that commercial posted but I hadn't watched it yet.
Too funny!

I saw that a similar pic of Jennifer and Nancy drinking strawberry somethings. They were having fun for all of us!

Michelle is very nice!

Have a great day!
Heather

Shell Flower said...

Never seen Near Dark, but Michelle is amazing and a great choice. She's so supportive. Cute pic of Nancy and Jennifer.

jaybird said...

Super cute picture! Never heard of the movie, but my brother used to blast Alice in Chains in his room so loud, my bed would literally shake even though it was down the hall from his, lol!!

Jennie Bennett said...

I've never seen near dark, but I love Michelle!

S. L. Hennessy said...

I loved Near Dark. Creeped me out though.

Gossip_Grl said...

Hilarious video and I thought they were saying sh.. my pants and was going to say I did too... from laughing at it. I then looked up and saw Shipped My Pants! My bad! :) Thanks for the laugh today!

farawayeyes said...

I have not seen this movie, but I will if Netflix has it.

Don't really know Michelle, I'll have to stop by and check her site out.

Not in the VI can you "Ship you pants for free." Ha!

Bish Denham said...

That commercial... too funny!

Catherine Noble said...

I'm thrilled that you've chosen Michelle, she's one of my favourite bloggers, and the most talented flash fiction writer I've ever read! :)

John Wiswell said...

Near Dark is messed up, with its gory modern nomads. My favorite part is actually the stories the actors tell of pranking locals with their make-up.

John at The Bathroom Monologues

Jay Noel said...

Never saw Near Dark. Need to see it now.

Off to visit Michelle!

Amy Jarecki said...

Thanks for introducing Michelle! I will pop over and check out her blog!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Angela, no, but you're on the right track.

Edi, it's a real cool, low-budget type of flick.

Jo, sorry!

Melanie, he will enjoy it!

Kitty, sorry!

Jaybird, your brother was cool.

SL, that's three of us that have seen it.

John, I heard Bill Paxton really had fun.

Sarah Ahiers said...

I LOVE me some Alice in Chains. Nutshell is one of my favorite songs of all time, but i also have some pretty big love for Them Bones and Down in a Hole

Tyrean Martinson said...

Michelle rocks!!!
I messed up on the trivia thinking in terms of frozen water and wheels with boards, but oh well.
And I don't know the trivia today. It sounds like the blog world is rocking as usual . . .I have to check out that secondary characters fest.

Birgit said...

I saw Near dark many years ago and it was quite well done and an excellent vampire film amidst all the crap out there. I think it was MGM-the once great studio (More Stars than there are in heaven. I thought I had time to add my name to the movie remakes best/worst. Can I still add my name?? Am I too late?? Oops Late for what??? memento creeped into my head..I better look at my most recent tatoo

ilima said...

Chip. I heard the word chip. :)

cleemckenzie said...

I think I'll the K Mart ad men! That was too funny. I haven't seen the movie, but then I haven't seen a ton of movies.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

NEAR DARK was a grim, riveting movie. The scene where the "vampire" was shot and he coughed, spitting out the bullet has been copied but never equaled in its horrific impact. There is only one first time! :-)

J.L. Campbell said...

Yeah for Michelle. Flash fiction master describes her well.

Donna K. Weaver said...

Nancy and Jennifer. I'll get the place was rocking!

Jack said...

Switchfoot are surfers?! Wow, I did not expect that.

mshatch said...

Anne's post was very interesting! And that commercial is hilarious :)

Suze said...

'Her gentle spirit offsets the crass behavior of those around her.'

I love this, Al. And am inspired by it.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

You're right, they're cute. And the commerical... lordy. LOL.

Yay to Michelle.

Rachel Schieffelbein said...

Thanks for helping spread the news, Alex!

Susan Oloier said...

And yet another movie I've not seen.

Maurice Mitchell said...

I saw that "Ship my pants" ad yesterday Alex. It's hilarious and a bold move by the company. I hope it pays off since I never even think of shopping at Kmart.

SK Anthony said...

Funny commercial!
I enjoy reading Michelle's blog too, she is great ;)

Michael Di Gesu said...

Never seen Near Dark..

Michelle is a honey. Having a great time with her A-Z theme. LOL.

The Happy Whisk said...

I don't think I'd have much fun doing a blog where I keep my personal life hidden.

Sangu Mandanna said...

I love Alice in Chains!!

Laura Eno said...

I've never seen Near Dark...not that you're surprised by that. ;)

Yay, Michelle!
Jennifer and Nancy look like they're having fun making trouble.

Unbelievable commercial. :) Makes you remember it!

Misha Gerrick said...

I'd have loved to take part in the blogfest, but I'll be either on my way to Europe or already there by then...

^_^

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Another movie I have never seen!

Love the commercial!! Hilarious. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

High fives on Near Dark! I love that movie and Mae rules.

I love Alice in Chains. Saw them in college way back when, what a great band. Too bad about Layne Staley.

Julie Flanders said...

I couldn't even imagine what Ship My Pants was referring to LOL.

Michelle is awesome and such a fun blogger. :)

Miranda Hardy said...

Love Near Dark, and that commercial is hilarious. Kudos to the marketing company that came up with that one.

Unknown said...

Glad to discover the meaning of Switchfoot! I like them, but don't know much about them. Makes sense that they would be surfers and that term makes sense as well!

SiouxsiesMusings

Mary Aalgaard said...

OMG! That commercial. I didn't hear the naughty word until the boy used it in the past-tense.

I love Michelle's blog. Great gal to feature today.

Rebecca Green Gasper said...

I haven't seen the movie- will have to go check it out. i have not met Michelle yet, will go visit her now. And what a funny commercial. Thanks for sharing!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Karen!

Sarah, you are cool.

Tyrean, the board part was right.

Birgit, not MGM, and please join us in the blogfest!

Ilima, that made me laugh.

Roland, that's right.

Suze, wow!

Rachel, you're welcome!

Maurice, I thought it was a very bold move, but they needed to do something.

Sangu, you are cool.

Misha, that is a good excuse though.

Melissa, awesome! And I almost saw them, but they had to cancel.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I wish I'd taken the time to watch Near Dark so I could better appreciate your thoughts on it.

Leovi said...

Very interesting Alice in Chains, great song!

Charles Gramlich said...

Near Dark is my favorite vampire film!

Robin said...

Ship my pants... hahahaha.

Intangible Hearts said...

Ah to be cute like Nancy Thompson AND a trouble maker would be divine!

Ella said...

I love Alice in Chains ;D
Off to meet Michelle!
Jennifer and Nancy are cute~

I have seen that movie...?!

Unknown said...

Bahahahahaha Holy "crap" that commercial is hilarious. Although, it did take me a few seconds to get it(refer to letter J of my A to Z challenge). My favorite part is the guy who "shipped" his bed. Thanks for sharing, Alex.

PK HREZO said...

Such a great AIC song. Layne Staley had one of the best voices ever. *sniff sniff*

Dont know that movie tho.

Gwen Gardner said...

Hooray for Michelle!

Jennifer and Nancy look like they're having fun:)

Definitely interested in that algorithm, I'll go check it out.

Christine Rains said...

Near Dark is a fun film. And who doesn't love some Alice in Chains! My husband just showed me that Kmart commercial last night. Hilarious!

Annalisa Crawford said...

Yay for Michelle. I don't think I've heard of that film though - is it scary?? :-)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Charles, one of my favorites!

Ella, good for you!

Julia, glad it made you laugh.

Annalisa, most people haven't seen it.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I haven't seen that movie and I am looking forward to the blogfests. I can't believe how my calendar is filling up so fast for May.

Jemi Fraser said...

Yay for Michelle - she's AWESOME!! Great choice :)

That commercial is hilarious :)

SpacerGuy said...

I haven't seen Near Dark but Darkness certainly is catching on in movieland.

Carol Kilgore said...

Michelle is awesome. And I think I learned I'm really 12.

M Pax said...

I've not seen that movie. Love Michelle, though.

Ciara said...

I swear you and my husband could be brothers. He sent me that pants video the other day and said I had to put it on my blog. :)
Never heard of the movie. I'm learning lots during A to Z.

Golden Eagle said...

Michelle is an awesome blogger!

The commercial was hilarious.

Susan Kane said...

I can ship my pants? Ooooo, so clever!

kjmckendry said...

LOL! My son just showed me that commercial the other day. Soo funny!

I haven't seen Near Dark, sounds too scary for me, but congrats to Michelle!

JJ said...

Alex: I am so sorry that trying to keep my family afloat keeps me from entering your challenges each week. I love your blog, and thank you for the challenge.

Nick Wilford said...

Michelle is one of my fave peeps! She's also a great cartoonist and she's pretty funny, too.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Susan, mine is already full.

Carol, but that's cool!

Ciara, what can we say?

JJ, no worries!

Sherry Ellis said...

Michelle is awesome. Great choice!

A Beer for the Shower said...

You were correct, sir. We did in fact love that commercial. Brilliantly executed and very clever. And hey, now that we're making a movie and I'm playing a hipster, I can ship my skinny jeans in excitement.

Helena said...

I really liked the K-Mart commercial -- borderline crude without stepping over the edge.

I might watch Near Dark, even though I tend to ask myself over and over during scary movies, "WHY AM I WATCHING THIS WHEN IT'S SCARING THE CRAP OUT OF ME?"

David T List said...

I've never heard of Near Dark.. But sounds like a good one. I love Alice in Chains, especially that song. It's one of their more uplifting songs in my opinion. That kmart commercial had me rolling. I almost shipped my pants at work!

Rick Daley said...

Near Dark is one of the greatest vampire movies ever. Lots of great lines from Bill Paxton and Lance Henrickson!

Sandee said...

I love the ship my pants video. That's hilarious.

Have a fantastic day. ☺

Chuck said...

You know I am a big AIC fan and No Excuses is one of my faves. Good choice.

That is a cute picture of Nancy and Jennifer!

I love that KMart commercial, it is hilarious.

Chuck at Apocalypse Now

Deniz Bevan said...

Oh what a lovely song to dedicate to Michelle!

Mina Burrows said...

You know I read this post at like 7 am this morning and thought I commented until just now when I realized I didn't. *shakes head* I'm sorry Alex. Its been a long day.
I'm going to check out Netflix to see if they have Near Dark. I haven't seen it before. :)

Alexandra Heep said...

Never heard of the movie, but that is not surprising. ...In the dark ... that's me when it comes to stuff like that!

klahanie said...

Alex,

I hope I get a bonus point for commenting at three in the morning. Yes, after delighting close to 100 bloggers doing that darned alphabet challenge, I've finally arrived.

Not seen "Near Dark". Michelle, I shall go and check out. Blogfests, um....no thank you :)

I see Nancy and Jennifer are partying.

Right, sleep time, me thinks....


Kimberly Gabriel said...

I love Michelle at Writer in Transit! The commercial cracked me up!!

Unknown said...

I do know Michelle, yeah!
But, I don't know the movie or the trivia.

Kristen said...

This time I've never heard of the movie, but I love the song! :)

#atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com

Rachna Chhabria said...

Thrilled to see Michelle here. She is indeed a sweetheart. Funny commercial :)

Carrie Butler said...

I won't lie. I love that commercial. Haha! :)

And Michelle rocks! Good choice.

Anonymous said...

Michelle's a great blogger.

I don't think I've seen that movie yet.

Brinda said...

I used to listen to Alice in Chains back in the day. :)

Brinda said...

I used to listen to Alice in Chains back in the day. :)

Unknown said...

I've never seen Near Dark, but I will soon. Sounds very interesting! That K-Mart commercial cracked me up!

Karen

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Brandon and Bryan, knew you'd like it!

David, not at work!

Rick, you rock.

Mina, that's all right.

Gary, you are on my pace,

L.G. Keltner said...

Great film and great song choice! You have great taste!

Unknown said...

Wow, I've not seen Near Dark in years! I'll have to dig this out and give it a rewatch.

Jamie @ Mithril Wisdom

Patricia Stoltey said...

Hey, ALex -- trying to get caught up a little. I'm still hanging in there trying to get my A to Z posts in. Yes, I did a "sneaky" post or two, but I'm trying.

randi lee said...

Hmm I've never heard of Near Dark, but I'm always up for checking into movies I haven't seen (and I've seen a LOT of movies, so that's getting tough!)

Jennifer Hillier said...

That was such a fun day with Nancy! She makes the best hard strawberry lemonade smoothies ever. I may, uh, have indulged a little too much... :)

Trisha said...

Michelle's great! She participated in our Chrysalis short story thing a few years back :)

MOCK! said...

"No Excuses" came out at the perfect time in my life and got me through some really rough times. Goosebumps everytime I hear it.