NETWORKER/NAKED - A to Z Challenge

It’s the third A to Z Challenge! Blog the letters of the alphabet in order every day except Sundays The participation list is HERE – start with the blog after yours and visit at least five blogs a day. Mostly, make new friends and have fun!

My theme – I have selected a word for each day and will present to you blogger buddies who fit that description, along with movies, music, etc. My theme is to give back, highlight some awesome bloggers, and have fun in the process.

NETWORKER/NAKED

Golden at The Eagle’s Aerial Perspective
No one knows how to network like Golden. She is everywhere, learning and soaking in what the blogging world has to offer. Golden is also one of the sharpest young ladies I have ever met, and it’s easy to forget she is a teenager. With her sharp mind and excellent skills with people, Golden will go very far in life!

Hart at Confessions of a Watery Tart
The Watery Tart is very sharp, but those of us who know her realize it’s all about one thing – Naked World Domination! Hart wants to do away with clothes because they are so restricting. She even writes while in the bathtub. (And I can only assume naked – she hasn’t confirmed this though.) While I’m not about to wander my own house naked, I admit certain pieces of clothing need to be banned. Now, if all this naked stuff has you nervous, let me assure you – Hart is one of the most awesome bloggers I have ever met. And in two months, her first book will be unleashed onto the world!

Kate Beckinsale
Okay, I admit when I hear the word naked I think of my wife and then Kate Beckinsale. (Yes, in that order.) She has appeared nude in many movies but has since sworn off nudity in deference to her child (I applaud that decision, and yet, it makes me sad.)

NINJA NEWS!

We’ve been working hard to clear all ad sites and non-participating blogs on the Challenge list. Hopefully you are encountering fewer of these sites.

Don’t forget May 7 is the Challenge Reflections post. On that day, we want to hear from you – what you liked, what you didn’t like, did you enjoy it, etc. A sign-up list will be available that day at the A to Z Blog and host sites. Once you’ve posted your reflections, add your post link to the sign up list.

If anyone would like to host a blogfest but you don’t have a Linky Tools subscription, let me know and I’d be glad to create a Linky List for you.

Following Golden and Hart? Part of the Naked World Domination movement? Anyone see The Cabin in the Woods this weekend? (Freaky movie, wasn’t it?) Who do you know who is a networker? (Or into being naked?) And I’m almost to 1500 followers – what should I do to celebrate?

CassaFacts and the Noughties Blogfest

Double shot today! Starting something I’ve dubbed “CassaFacts” – little bits of information about CassaStar and the upcoming CassaFire. If you have any questions or details you’d like to see covered, let me know. Although the Ninja does not tell all…

Everyone wants to know what celebrities resemble the characters. This question caught me off guard last year, as I knew what they looked like, but never matched that look to a celebrity.

Bassa was fairly easy. I think Sean Bean resembles him the closest.

Byron was tough. I had a visual – even had an actor in mind, but he was too old for CassaStar. At the time, I selected Chris Pine. (And do you know how difficult it is to find a photo of this dude NOT smiling? Byron doesn’t smile!)

However, since CassaFire takes place twenty years later, that actor now fits – Richard Hatch from the original Battlestar Galactica. He looks serious and intense – just the way I imagine Byron. (And he probably inspired the character as well.)

CassaFire introduces a female character, Athee. (By overwhelming, popular demand. Hey, CassaStar was about a war – Byron didn’t have time for a girlfriend!) 
And who resembles Athee? Come on, people! Kate Beckinsale, of course!

No, I’m not living out my own fantasy. All right, maybe just a little…

Anything else you’d like to know?

Dave at Dave Wrote This is hosting The Noughties Blogfest today!


“List something from each year (2000-2009) that you loved.”

I’m going to keep it simple and go with movies, music, and games. 

2000

Movies -Memento; X-Men

Music -In Flames: Clayman; Pantera: Reinventing the Steel

Games - Diablo II

2001

Movies - Fellowship of the Ring

Music -Andromeda: Extension of the Wish; Dream Theater: Live Scenes From New York

2002

Movies - The Two Towers

Music - Rush: Vapor Trails; Chevelle: Wonder What’s Next; Killswitch Engage: Alive or Just Breathing

Games - Need For Speed Hot Pursuit II

2003

Movies - Return of the King

Music - OSI: Office of Strategic Influence; Dream Theater: Train of Thought

2004

Movies - Spiderman II; Shaun of the Dead

Music - Ayreon: The Human Equation; In Flames: Soundtrack to Your Escape

Games - Half Life II

2005

Movies - Serenity

Music - Dream Theater: Octavarium; Shadow Gallery: Room V

2006

Movies - The Illusionist

Music - Vandenplas: Cristo; Dream Theater: Score

Games - Titan Quest

2007

Movies - Transformers; Ocean’s Thirteen

Music - Serenity: Words Untold and Dreams Unlived; Nightwish: Dark Passion Play

2008

Movies - Iron Man; The Dark Knight

Music - Seventh Wonder: Mercy Falls; Scar Symetry: Holographic Universe

Games - Fallout III

2009

Movies - Avatar; Inglorious Basterds

Music - Dream Theater: Black Clouds and Silver Linings; Alice in Chains: Black Gives Way to Blue

Not bad for someone who doesn't remember what he had for dinner last night!

What did you dig about the 2000’s?

It's Movie Time!

I've some movie news and reviews for you!

First, two short reviews...

Jade Warrior
I’d read good things about this foreign film, inspired by the Finnish epic, The Kalevala. The hero is a poor blacksmith recently dumped by his girlfriend. When she disposes of some of his artifacts, the shopkeeper discovers this smith can open an ancient Chinese metal box. He instructs the smith to create a machine called a Sampo, and as the smith does this, he at last recalls his previous life as a warrior destined to slay a demon. The movie is told in flashbacks between present day Finland and ancient China. It’s a slower paced film with some great visuals and a few surprises. And (spoiler) in the tradition of Chinese love stories, there is no happy ending. Scratch China off your list of places to seek true love, because apparently it never works out!

The Crazies
A remake of Romero’s 1973 film, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this zombie-virus flick. The story follows a town sheriff and his wife as they attempt to survive both the crazies and the military trying to stop the spread. It was entertaining and contained some good suspense, along with just a few too many narrow escapes. As with any horror flick, the characters split up on occasion, and put themselves in dire situations as a result. I promised my wife that if we have to flee from zombies, I wouldn’t tell her to “Wait here.” Not a great movie, but better than expected.

In other movie news…


Kate Beckinsale is definitely appearing in Underworld IV! Selene will be kicking butt in her sexy black leather outfit in 2012. Visit HOLLYWOOD SPY for details. I am one happy guy!


Hellboy III is on hold – perhaps permanently. Director Guillermo del Toro reports that Ron Perlman is happy doing Sons of Anarchy without six hours in a makeup chair. So no more Hellboy movies until Perlman changes his mind. Bummer, huh?

Heard any wild movie rumors or seen a good film lately? Watched any of the Quiet Movies I recommended? Wonder if after Sharktopus debuts on SyFy this fall they will consider doing Snarktopus…