Striking While It’s Hot
July 15th, 2010
Racist Maverick
July 14th, 2010
Watched Mel Gibson in Maverick last night and couldn’t help but notice this line that Mel spoke while talking about Indians:
“I try to shoot one a day, before noon if possible. I figure it’s their fault, too, for being on our land before we got here”
- Mel Gibson in “Maverick”
With what good ‘ole Mel Gibson’s been going though in the press recently, this quote just seems so Mel-ish, nearly boarding on a Yogi-ism.
Mr. Hooper
July 13th, 2010
I grew up watching Sesame Street.
My parents tell me stories of when I was young, sitting slack-jawed in front of the television, mesmerized by Bert & Ernie, Grover, Big Bird, Harvey Monster and Slimey the Worm.
Some kids grew up on cartoons. I grew up with Bob and Oscar, Linda and The Count, Susan and Cookie Monster.
On a recent trip to Fry’s, Karin and I stumbled across a Sesame Street DVD collection. Looking at the pictures of familiar Sesame Street scenes on the cover, we thought it would be nice to have this video in our “baby collection” for Tyler to watch.
And so there we were, Tyler and I, lying on the ground watching Sesame Street on a lazy Sunday afternoon when “Just Because” begins to play. I hadn’t seen this episode for a good twenty+ years, but it’s always stuck with me as one of the finest examples of television ever produced. ”Just Because” deals with the death of Mr. Hooper, and how the cast members attempt to explain death to Big Bird who doesn’t quite grasp the concept, insisting that he’ll give Mr. Hooper the picture he drew of him when he gets back.
This was some heady stuff for a kid to absorb.
The emotions on the screen are heartbreakingly real. The cast members do their best to keep their composure as they try to explain why Mr. Hooper will not be coming back to man the store. Bob barely manages to keep from breaking down as he tells Big Bird that everyone will miss Mr. Hooper, and that they were better people for having had him in their lives. David promises that he’ll take over the store and will make Big Bird his birdseed shakes, and that everyone will tell him stories just like Mr. Hooper used to.
Maria can’t hold back tears. Everyone hugs each other.
Not a dry eye is on the set.
Excuse me…I’m tearing up a bit just typing this…
It’s rare for television to capture a truely honest, human moment in a scripted show. But there it was, forever seared into the minds of those who grew up with Luis and Telly, Gordon and Guy Smiley, Two-Headed Monster and Snuffleupagus, Kermit and Mr. Hooper.
The Geezer Bandit (Somewhat) Identified?
July 12th, 2010
There’s been a string of bank robberies down in the Southern California, all perpetrated by an individual the media as dubbed “The Geezer Bandit“. This elderly bank robber isn’t afraid of being video taped while holding up banks, and nobody has been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of him on the outside as he makes his getaway.
All of this makes people believe that The Geezer Bandit isn’t an old man at all, but rather an individual wearing a mask.
My question to the FBI is this: Has anyone checked out this site? In particular have you studied their masked called “The Elder”?
Here are a few of the photos of The Geezer Bandit in action:
And here is a photo of “The Elder” mask:
Gee…I don’t know about you, but the wrinkles, chin, nose and ears look surprisingly identical. Could our bank robber be wearing this mask during his heists, then when out of visual contact duck behind a car or building, peel off this mask, then simply blend in with the crowd?
Now, I may not be an FBI agent with years and years of training under my belt, but if I can see the similarities between this mask and facial characteristics of The Geezer Bandit, then I would hope that the authorities could as well.
You have to hand it to SPFXMasks for their amazingly life-like product. Watching their videos, it’s surprising that more criminals aren’t using these to conceal their identities.
