Tuesday, July 26, 2016

The Next Cinematic Iron Man

A lot has been said about the future of Marvel's big screen universe with regards to their trailblazing cinematic version of Iron Man, embodied so fittingly by Robert Downey Jr. - but he's getting older and his exit from the character is not too far away - as RDJ has essentially affirmed...

In response, I was thinking about who the next Iron Man could be, and after seeing a number of episodes of Fox's "The Last Man On Earth", I landed on an casting idea I wanted to throw out there - Jason Sudeikis. I admittedly haven't seen as much of his work as a lot of people, but I think it could work.

He has a voice that you could hear Tony Stark speaking in, and with the right goatee he could have the look as well. His comedic sense, delivery, and tone of character could be quite Stark-esque indeed, and his "Last Man" appearances have convinced me of his dramatic abilities. What do you think?


Monday, July 25, 2016

Crystal Pepsi is Back!

Yep, I was in Wal-Mart and was totally surprised to come around the corner of the isle and see something I haven't seen for many many years - Crystal Pepsi!

Now I will say, I haven't drank Pepsi, of any kind, in years. But the nostalgia of Crystal Pepsi brought me back for a taste. I last remember drinking Crystal Pepsi it in the 90s, sitting outside of the local grocery store sipping from a frosty blue can. It's slightly weird to hear myself say that this bubbly transparent sugar water is giving me the nostalgic warm and fuzzies, but it is.

After a nice chilling in the fridge, I took a big sip and it was... pretty tasty! Back in the day, I also seem to remember Crystal Pepsi having a slightly different taste from regular Pepsi - but that could be my fuzzy memory talking... In any case, I did enjoy drinking it, although my stomach doesn't seem as forgiving to Pepsi as it used to. I think next time I won't drink it all at once...

Anyway, my brother did some looking online and it seems that we in Canada are getting this before the US, where it doesn't release until August! He also read that it's apparently a "limited for 8 weeks" thing. In any case, if you're interested, keep an eye out - you might see it very soon!


Thursday, December 3, 2015

5 Worst Christmas Songs That I Never Want To Hear Again

If you know me, you know I love Christmas. I even love Christmas music. You know those radio stations that play all Christmas music in December? I'm one of the people who listens to them.

There are a few Christmas songs though, that are like nails on chalkboard to me, and I would be just as happy to never hear them again.  See if your list matches mine;


5. "Wonderful Christmas Time" by ‎Paul McCartney - This song is repetitive and not very catchy, but more than that it just sounds strange. It's certainly nothing special.


4. "Santa Baby" by Madonna - I had heard this rendition many times before, but I just discovered the singer was.... Madonna?! It'd just not her style at all, she sounds so dumb and ditzy singing this. I originally thought the singer was Anna Nicole Smith or something! I'll take Eartha Kitt's over this one any day. Just not a good song.


3. "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band-Aid - Repetitive and succumbs to it's too-many-cooks-in-the-kitchen formula. It drags on and on and on lifelessly. I try to keep myself interested by singing "Beat The Squirrels", but it doesn't help. Blech.


2. "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" - The radio usually plays the even-more-horrible Irish Rovers rendition. A goofy and supposedly funny novelty song, but it just irritates me. Good on you for making money off the song folks, but it ain't for me.


1. "Last Christmas" by Wham! (or sung by anyone else) - Ugh, I just hate this song!

"...I'll give it to someone SPE-SHHHHHUL, SPE-SHHHHHUL..."

Gag me with a spoon already...

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Hey Christians, The Starbucks Red Cup is Great, Here's Why...

Okay, so there's been a big controversy lately about the new Starbucks "Red Holiday Cups", particularly from concerned fellow Christians who are worried that another corporation is dumping Christian traditions and historical foundations, in favor of another bland, vague, PC celebration of "The Holidays", this time in the form of a plain red coffee cup, they will say.

I'll tell you now, I don't feel overly invested in what a coffee chain is doing, as I never drink the stuff, let alone at 6 bucks a cup... But I've had some time to think abut the controversy, and why I believe the anger may actually be a big missed opportunity!

Look, I get it - Yes, I acknowledge that many long-standing Christian foundations of society are becoming prey to modern relativism, as being nothing distinctly special and worthy of great honor. But in this instance I have some questions for you...

What exactly is the thing you're mad about? Would there be a controversy here if Starbucks had put some snowmen, or reindeer, some holly, or Santa Claus on the cup? I really doubt there would. Do you need them to emblazon the the cup with "Merry Christmases"? What exactly is it you're fighting for? What's the end game?

You fellow Christians who are up in arms about this, I want you to realize something - At Christmas, we're celebrating the moment when a little baby is born, a very special baby... This is God with us. This is a Savior for all people. A Savior, the only Savior, who would grow up to one day die on a cross in our stead, paying the price we could never pay, ransoming us from the gates of hell... and he did it with his own blood. 

Revelation 1:5 "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood"

His own blood. 

People, the Starbucks cup is red. It's completely red. 

No snowmen, no reindeer, no winter cottages or decorative snowflakes. Just red.

Jesus has reconciled us back to God through his life, death, and resurrection. This is why he was sent, after all. We missed the mark of heaven's righteousness, but he shed his blood for us to make us righteous. He made a way to peace with God where there was none. He takes your scarlet debt, he gives you his perfect white.

God has offered eternal life to all people, not based on any of our good deeds, not on our keeping of ceremonies or ordinances, not based on our works of living a good lifestyle or turning from bad behavior - but simply by believing on Jesus alone, what HE has done in our stead.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

This is the gift of God. The price has been paid, the price we could never pay - and like all gifts, paid for completely by the giver, free to the receiver.

When you really think about it - what could be more Christmas-y?

Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

Titus3:5: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Yeah, I'm pretty confident in saying this was not Starbucks' motivation for the red cup thing, they're likely doing what they think will make the most long-term financial sense for the company - but yes Charlie Brown, this can be a strikingly beautiful reminder for us of what Christmas is really all about. In the words of the beloved hymn;

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

I propose we call it the "Gift of Heaven" cup. Think of it, what a wonderful opportunity! This Christmas, give a coffee-lover their favorite Starbucks hot drink, sit with them and tell them why the red cup is perfect for this time of year...

Friday, September 25, 2015

"Rad"

I've been hearing a word lately that I remember fondly from my youth - but it's been people other than me saying it, total strangers even - That word being "rad".

Is it just me, or is this word making a comeback?! And if so, I'll tell you, I couldn't be happier :)

That's pretty rad.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

We Need Impossible Power, Now!

Found on the Toys R Us Canada listing for Imaginext Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers Megazord...

 

Um, kid, how exactly are you doing that?