Be Yourself ... You’ll Be Happier And Undoubtedly Be Much Cooler
Current mood: indescribable
Category: Life

Nothing "prompted" this.  It's not a reaction to any particular thing someone has said or done.  I just have several thoughts bouncing around my head.

I never understood the attraction to "fitting in."  I learned a long time ago that the key to happiness (aside from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and an endless supply of cash) is just being happy with who you are.  Watch what you like.  Listen to what you like.  Say what you like.  Who are you trying to impress?  I'm not going to try to impress anyone unless there is a large wad of cash on the other end.  In that case, I may be persuaded to play nice.

The herd mentality is so lame and make me sad for the human race.  We were created to be individuals.  We have different likes and dislikes, and that's cool.  You can disagree with someone and still be down with each other.  I have several friends that I disagree with on different matters: religiously, politically, socially, musically, and in matters of style and film.  I don't conform to them and don't expect them to conform to me.  People are different, and as long as those differences aren't causing harm to you, them, or a third party, it's completely okay.

You have an entire generation of people getting tattoos so they can express themselves and stand out.  They want to look different.  They don't look different.  They look like every other pierced, inked, scrubby loser that sloshes down the pike.  Most people I run across are surprised that I don't have a tattoo.  "But you like horror movies and hard music!"  Yeah.  So?  Are people so easily judged and generalized?  I'll never get a tattoo.  First of all, I have a religious belief against them.  Secondly, most of them look really stupid.  Third, I don't have a pathetic need to fit in or "make a statement."

I also do not understand the need to fit into a stereotype.  "What am I?  Am I Goth, emo, or a metalhead?"  I don't know.  Why are you asking me?  Why do you care?  Just be Jane R. Doe and be done with it.  Why are people so insecure and unsure of themselves that they feel they have to be labeled and herded into exclusive groups?  Does being "emo" make you feel better about yourself?  Does it give you a sense of belonging?  It shouldn't, and if it does you are suffering from a severe personality deficiency.  Be yourself!  Be happy with who you are.  I like metal, but I'm not a metalhead.  I like punk, but I'm not a punk.  I wear Hawaiian shirts, but I'm not ... I don't know ... a surfer, or whatever.  I eat salad, but I'm not a herbivore.  I'm not trying to desperately pigeonhole myself.  Why would I?

I like fighting, but I'm not training for the Octagon.  Why?  It's because I'm not an idiot.  Pudgy guys in or around their thirties shouldn't be training to fight.  You're an adult.  Let go of that dream.  I'll never tombstone Hulk Hogan and win the WWE Championship.  I'm okay with that.

I am Daniel Emery Taylor, the F-List Celebrity.  If you don't like my religious views, it's your choice to make.  If you don't like my political views, don't worry about it.  If you don't like my taste in movies, music, or hobbies, I really couldn't care less.  If you don't like me?

Fuck off ...

... because I think I'm awesome.

3:14 PM - 7 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

Highlights From The Time Cube

I have just been made aware of Time Cube.  I’m not entirely sure what it is, but I think it exists as an alternative to Creationism and evolution.  It also appears to want to replace religion.  So, for the inquisitive mind and those who are constantly looking to better themselves, I offer highlights from http://www.timecube.com .

I starts off with what may be its premise or thesis statement:  EARTH HAS 4 CORNER SIMULTANEOUS 4-DAY TIME CUBE WITHIN SINGLE ROTATION. 4 CORNER DAYS PROVES 1 DAY 1 GOD IS TAUGHT EVIL.  Well, there ya go.

My wife said this is the Wesley Willis of religion.  I love my wife.

Reject the Queer God or you will die a stupid & evil Queer.  Well, at least he has my best interests at heart.

Ptolemaic  System  was  correct, but wrong.  Galileo claimed Sun was Center of Universe and his claim was both Correct and Incorrect,
Because  the  BINARY of  the masculinity SUN  and  femininity  EARTH  revolve as the Cubic Creation Center of the Universe.  That makes perfect sense.  "He was right, but wrong."  "It is but it isn’t."  I think I work with this guy.

Religious/academia ONEism is based  upon  a dead  queer Jew  giving  birth  to you and denouncing  your  flesh  and blood  Mother  as  a  whore - and you are  a pimp for her.  What?  No, seriously -- what?

One God is Death Math belief.  Paint word God on the ass of donkey and moronic believers will worship it.  I think I took Death Math in the eleventh grade.  I hated it.  Does he want us to paint the word "god" on an ass’s ass?  Again, allow me to reiterate the fact that this is a real website.

You are educated stupid - an evil ANDROID,  your opposite brain destroyed by Evil ONE.  We are kind of like Satan’s C3POs.

"Nothing on Earth more Evil than a human educated as 1, when composed of opposites that cancel out as an entity." Well, this really speaks for itself.

After 30 years of research, I now possess the Order of Harmonic Antipodal Cubic Divinity Life - too large for physical form, but Binary Spirit of the masculinity Sun & feminity Earth Antipodes.  This is why you should never let Grandpa watch The Matrix.

ONEism is demonic Death Math.  I have so much to teach you, but you ignore me you evil asses.  You will recognize 4 corner Days or incur Easter Island Ending.  Okay, so I think I have gotten the idea that he does not believe in a god other than the Almighty Rubix, so who is going to carry out such an impressive feat as wiping us all out?  Is the Cube simply going to erase us?  I’m so confused.

KNOW CUBE, OR HELL.  Or Hell what?  For some reason, I hear "Stone Cold" Steve Austin’s voice when I read that.  "Know Cube, or Hell, son -- I’m gonna come and stomp a mudhole in yer ass and walk it dry."

Watch for Giant Erasor as there is a great danger of the human Word Animal being self-erased.  Is this like when Daffy Duck fought with the artist’s hand?  Is that what we should be afraid of?

What queer mentality you have --- to worship an old dead Jew as God/Creator.  Again, there is no comment to offer.

OPPOSITES CREATE.  Mother and father gave me birth, not a queer jew god.  Uh-huh.  I at least like the fact that he recognizes the Creator God as the Jewish God.  Right there he has a leg up on the Muslims.

Santa & God debase women as if non-existing opposites.  How evil unto their mothers.  "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" was originally called "I Saw Santa Debasing Mommy," but the record executives did not think it would go over as well.

You have a cyclop perspective and taught android mentality = lobotomized analytical ability.  Educated singularity stupid - You can’t think4 corner days.  If we can’t think it, why are you bothering to explain it?

Hey stupid - are you too dumb to know there are 4 different simultaneous 24 hour days within a single rotation of Earth?  Yes, apparently I am.

Dumb ass teachers fear Time Cube and will eat dung before debating it.  Is that why their breath is so minty fresh?

I bestow upon myself the "Doctorate of Cubicism", for educators are ignorant of Nature’s Harmonic Time Cube Principle and cannot bestow the prestigious honor of wisdom upon the wisest human ever.  -- Dr. Gene Ray Well, I declared myself Emperor Of The Theocratic Empire Of Israel, but all that got me was a citation for loitering.  It should be noted that Dr. Ray admits that his psychologist declared him a paranoid schizophrenic.

All past Great Civilizations have been destroyed by minorities, so welcome to BLACK America - the white race now destroyed by the power hungry money grabbing politicition’s edict that any white complaint is racist and induces fines and jail time for white objectors. The U.S. Government is now antiwhite.  And so now we get to the meat of the matter.  Remember, kids: racists are always totally level-headed and sane!

Christianity Is Poison Forced Upon Children.  I don’t want to think about Poison being forced upon my children.  Bret Michaels needs to stay away from my daughters.

Christianity is subservient to the Jews. The Bible is Jewish, Academia and Government based upon the Jewish Bible are Jewish.  At least he recognizes the Bible is Jewish.  He’s doing better than the vast majority of the Church!

Again, if you like incoherent rambling that goes on for pages, check out http://www.timecube.com ... it’s good for a few laughs.

11:51 AM - 3 Comments - 5 Kudos - Add Comment

Full Moon Tattoo & Horror Festival Recap
Current mood: okay

Geez, I’m behind.  I normally like to get recaps done a day or two after the show, but things have been pretty hectic on this end.

I’m really confused as to what to call this show.  Some people call it the LoneWolf show, since it’s presented by Lone Wolf Body Art.  Some people call it Blood & Ink, since that’s what’s all over the website.  Others claim it’s called the Full Moon Tattoo & Horror Festival, and since that’s what’s on the door we’ll go with that.

We drove up to Nashville on Easter Sunday.  We would have gone up for Saturday (and I really wish we could have!) but I couldn’t get away from my day-job on such short notice.  I debated whether or not to go up that Sunday.  I mean, it’s Easter.  How many people are going to be getting their tattoo and horror fix on the day Gentiles use to celebrate Messiah’s resurrection?  After much debate, and after talking to Marc, we decided that we would go and set up.  If nothing else, we’re getting in for free and we’ll get to meet the great George A. Romero.  (And of course, we’ll get to hang out with Rob and Fran.  That’s always a plus!)

I’m proud that we actually left the house on time.  We arrived at the show at around 10:30 or so.  We set up and started wandering around.  Rob and Fran showed up and we chatted for a bit.  Things were slow to get rolling.  George Romero shows up and I’m surprised at how gigantic the man is.  I don’t know -- in pictures he looks like this tiny, frail old man.  The guy is huge.

I’m going to go ahead and say that I did no business at all.  I usually do well on Sundays (as people roam around to talk to anyone they’ve missed on subsequent days or they have an extra ten dollars they want to spend) but nothing here.  It’s cool, though.  We weren’t out anything, and I had a darn fine time.

I had the opportunity to meet Adrienne Barbeau.  Now, I won’t mention that when Nick-At-Nite was playing Maude reruns I had a crush on twenty year old footage of Adrienne.  I will mention that she was the star of the original Swamp Thing and I thought I’d have a good in.  So, I tell her "Hey, Adrienne.  I think we have something in common."  She looks afraid.  She asks "Oh, yeah?  What would that be?"  I go on to explain that I was in the sequel to her film.  She seemed really surprised that there was a sequel.  I think I’m creeping her out a bit.  I back off for a while.

Ami has a great idea.  She wants a photo of me holding MY ... Swamp Thing with Adrienne holding HER Swamp Thing.  (I married such a clever girl!)  I ask Adrienne about it and she kindly obliges.  She keeps looking at my movie, really intrigued.  She’s never seen it.  She wonders what it’s like.  She thinks her kids would really like it.  What happens next?  If you guess "Daniel trades DVD for a signed photo" you would be correct.

I met Michael Berryman.  At the risk of sounding like an old lame white guy, I’m going to proudly proclaim that Michael is "da bomb."  He was the nicest guy and a wonderful storyteller.  He took a lot of time with everyone that approached him.  I decided that I was going to go ask him to call me a chickenf$&er.  Now, if you’ve never seen The Devil’s Rejects this won’t make much sense, but I thought it was hysterical.  Michael thought it was pretty funny and played right along.  It was a cool moment.

We saw Kane Hodder, the real Jason Voorhees, again.  I think we’re making a habit out of it!  We’ll also be hanging with Kane at AdventureCon.  He’s a genuinely sweet guy, and loves interacting with fans.

I kind of hate that I never got the chance to wander over to Dee Wallace Stone’s table.  There were also various Michael Myers (Myerses?) and lesser-Jason Voorhees (Voorheeses?) scattered about.  Oh, I can’t forget about Ted Alderman and Jim O’Rear.  With the exception of the Alabama Comic Weekend, I think I have literally done every convention with Jim and Ted.

It came time to meet the man.  We waited in line like normal everyday fanboys.  My F-List status means nothing here!  We finally approach him and I shake his hand, declaring what an honor it is to meet him.  Geez, this guy is charismatic.  He picks on Ami for a while because her name isn’t spelled correctly.  ("A-M-I?  Really?  Who spells it like that?!")  He was so nice and accomodating.  It’s my wish that every zombie fan will get the chance to meet him and declare their gratitude.  Without Mr. Romero there would be no walking dead film genre, and zombies would still be the thing of Haitian folklore.

Late, late, late in the day Tony Todd arrives.  Now, I’m a big Tony Todd fan.  I love me some Candyman.  I also love the 1990 Night Of The Living Dead remake.  Well, according to reliable reports, Tony partied the night away.  I think he was still a little lit.  He was very talkative and friendly.  He didn’t stay long, but he sure made a big impact while he was there!

All in all, it was a very fun show.  I hate that I didn’t get to do Saturday, as apparently the crowd was massive.  I hope I’ll get to do the whole thing next year.

8:40 AM - 0 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

OmegaCon!
Current mood: sleepy

It’s been about two weeks since the big show here in Birmingham.  The fact that it’s taken me so long to write this will obviously mean that it will be much more brief than if I had done it sooner.  The small nuances of each event sort of gets lost, you know?  I’ll hit the high points and give a recap of the events as best I remember them.

Also, keep an eye out for all of the shout-outs.  You may want to keep a scorecard or something.

The biggest complaint I (and everyone else) had was the lack of both organization and communication by the OmegaCon staff.  There were times when we would ask three different people a question and get eight different answers.  This was a recurring problem, as you will soon see.  A lot of this can be chalked up to growing pains and the trials of running a show for the first time, but it is still something that will need to be address in 2009.

We arrived that Friday evening around eight o’clock.  As we made our way into the Sheraton, we were directed to the registration window.  We were told that our badges had not been printed yet, but not to worry because security had been alerted about the snafu.  Okay, cool.  We were apparently too late to set up our table in the autograph room so we went to go hang out in the lobby for a while.  We caught up with George Hardy (star of Troll 2) and he seemed a little perplexed.  It seems that he was told our double-feature had been cancelled.  Hmm.  No worries, I assured him.  The girl at the registration window gave us directions to the arena and everything.

We head to the BJCC at about 9:30.  It’s dark.  We don’t see anyone.  Finally, a security guard tells us that the event has been cancelled.  What?  Mike and the rest of the crew from the Nightmare Theatre (our gracious hosts for our double-feature event) had wandered up by this time and was quite surprised, as well.  Me, George, and the Nightmare crew were all in attendance and ready to roll.  Why was the event cancelled, and why hadn’t any of us been properly told.

Thus began an hour or so of us shepherding our motley crew through the Sheraton in search of answers.  At some point, George ran into my buddy Will and used his cell phone to give me a call.  The group was together, at least, but we still didn’t have answers.  No one else did, either.  Finally, we get stuck in this little conference room and our eager clan of fifty or so people snuggled in to watch the movies.

Or not.  You see, no one gave us the key to the projector room.  We finally hunt down the A/V guy. We’re rolling.  Or not.  The movie is in black and white.  The A/V guy says he doesn’t know why and he’s not going to be able to fix it.  Wow.  Okay, so maybe The Return Of Swamp Thing does look more classic in B&W, but it still wasn’t optimal.  Everyone DID have a good time, though, so the mission was a success.

The next morning we arrive and can’t get in because we don’t have our badges.  We’re directed back to the registration window.  They don’t have our badges.  I’m directed back to the main lobby where people are purchasing tickets.  They should have the badges there.  Okay.  They have one for me, but I’m listed as a "pre-registered member."  Sure, whatever.  I inquire about the passes for my wife and kids.  I was told I would have to purchase them.  I pitch a minor fit.  I was told that a membership only came with admission for one.  I explain that I’m not a member, but a guest.  He doesn’t understand what I’m telling him.  I explain that I’m not paying anything ... I’m a guest ... with a table in the autograph room ... and that having my wife and kids at the show is an expected courtesy.  It’s just the way business is done.  The guy finally understands what I’m saying and I get the passes.

I understand at this point it probably sounds like I’m dragging OmegaCon across the coals.  It’s true that I did have some troubles initially.  I must say, though, that once I got settled in I had an excellent time.  I don’t necessarily think the problems I encountered were indicative of those in charge, as both Shaun and Nathan (who I worked with primarily) seemed to really have it together.  I think a lot of this was having volunteers that really did not know what they were doing.

I was missing my usual running buddies (Rob, Bobby, and Sean) so I unfortunately have no wild tales of conventioneering.  I was stationed next to my buddy Shane Moore, so I at least had a familiar face to talk to.  Ted and Jim were both there, as was my friend Tom Stedham.  Marc was kicking it in the dealer’s room, as were Patrick and Heather.  It was a good group of friends and acquaintances to share a show with.

Who did I meet?  Well, I met the great Richard Kiel (who you may know as "Jaws" from the James Bond films).  He seemed like really cool guy with a ton of charisma.  He acted like he truly enjoyed interacting with the fans.  I didn’t speak too much with him.  Everytime I approached his table he tried to sell me something.

I offended Richard Hatch by admitting I had never watched "Battlestar Galactica."  My deep, dark secret is that I really do not watch science fiction.  I love Star Wars, but that is essentially a fantasy that takes place in space.  I like alien films, but those are generally monster movies that take place in space.  Sci-fi, true sci-fi, tends to be too technical.  I don’t care how fast a starship can go or the science behind an antimatter photon blaster.  I like stories that are character-driven.  Sorry, Rich.

Keith Age was very cool.  I liked the fact that, unlike many in the paranormal business, he really seemed to have a good head on his shoulders.  He thinks very logically.  He admits that 95% of hauntings (and other supernatural phenomena) are crap and can easily be explained away by natural events.  He’s in it to find out what’s behind the other 5%.

I also met G. Larry Butler, star of Frankenstein Vs. The Creature From Blood Cove.  What a great movie!  It’s a complete homage to the classic horror films of the 40’s and 50’s. 

If you have the chance to meet Richard LeParmentier you should definitely go.  You know him.  Admiral Motti from Star Wars: A New Hope.  No?  Well, how about this:  "Lord Vader, don’t try to frighten us with your sorcerous ways ... *COUGH*CHOKE*HACK*"  He was a really classy guy who appreciated his lot in life.  It’s great to see someone who enjoys hanging out with fans and feels privileged to be in the position they’re in.  Check him out at http://www.admiralmotti.net

Kane Hodder!  Sure, he spent four of the Friday The 13th films finding increasingly inventive and violent ways to kill people, but he was such a sweetheart!  I mean, he was a really, really, really nice guy.  He was very personable and (much like Richard) seemed to have a humility and appreciation about him.

Finally, I had ample opportunity to chat with Peter Mayhew.  He’s Chewbacca.  What more can I say?  He was constantly covered up in fans, but he seemed to take it all in stride.  Also, can I mention how huge he is?

That’s about it.  I had a great time meeting many fans and making new friends.  I hope OmegaCon continues to grow and thrive in the Birmingham area.  All in all, it was a fun show and I was glad to be a part of it.

9:37 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Uncle Sam Is A Hypocrite
Current mood: intense
Category: News and Politics

Don't get me wrong.  I love my country.  I am a traditional Conservative (not a neo-con), a Republican, and a Constitutionalist.  I think there is a time in which war is completely justified.  I think innocent life should be protected at all costs;  I think those who would strike down the innocent should be politely excused to the next realm (by method of gunfire, hanging, or electric chair).  I think I make my political affiliations clear, so my words should be understood in that context.

Why do we chastise others for doing the exact thing we would do in the same situation.  No.  I take that back.  Why do we chastise others for doing far less than what we would do in the same situation?  Since 2001, the southern Israeli cities of Ashkelon and Sderot have lived in the shadow of constant rocket fire.  On Wednesday, in response to an increase in firing, the Israeli army began an offensive in Gaza, aimed at halting militant fire and "in the right circumstances" bringing Hamas down.  And we seem to have a problem with this.

To show her disdain, Condoleezza Rice has postponed her trip to Eretz Israel.  (My brethren are all heartbroken, I'm sure.)  Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the National Security Council and puppet for the Bush administration, said that "the violence needs to stop and the talks need to resume."  (Sure!  I'll stop the violence on my end when the other side stops firing rockets at innocent civilians!)  Others within the Bush administration have strongly worded their disapproval of Israel's actions over the last week.  "114 innocent Palestinians dead!" they cry.  "Israel, this aggressive military state, must cease!"  O RLY?

I'm not going to go into the political ins and outs of this affair.  All I can say is this:  What would we do if there was constant rocket fire coming from Juarez toward El Paso?  First, I suppose we would give the Mexican government a stern warning to crack down on the militants and stop the fire.  After that?  Our army would dine on tacos and blood.  We would go in, stop the militants by any means necessary, and likely set up a military installation to monitor the area.  We would strike viciously and ruthlessly, aiming to protect our citizens at all costs.

Do you remember September 11?  I do.  Do you remember us swiftly going to war in Afghanistan, even though the vast majority of the attackers were Saudi Arabians?  I do.  Why?  Well, our feelings were hurt, we were angry, and someone had to pay.  The Taliban seemed like suitable recipients of our wrath.  We toppled the sand-dwelling gangsters and the world rejoiced.

Do you remember when Iraq threatened us with weapons of mass destruction?  No?  Me, either.  Evenso, Saddam Hussein was a wicked man and certainly deserving of his fate, and while liberating the Iraqi people was a noble quest (that weve screwed up royally, but that's another 'blog) there was no real reason for us to do so.  Well, Saddam did once try to have W's Daddy killed and I suppose that was reason enough for him.  On the basis of bad intel and hard feelings, we went and smashed Iraq.  Iraq: the country who posed no threat to us and was doing nothing to harm American citizens.  Iraq: the country we snapped in half just because we wanted to.

So, how hypocritical is it of us to condemn Israel for striking against the Islamic militants?  How hypocritical is it of us to condemn Israel for protecting its citizens?  How hypocritical is it of us to condemn Israel for doing FAR LESS than what we would do in the exact same situation?  I think Israel has the legal (and God-given) right to protect its people in any way it sees fit, and I applaud them for showing great restraint.

We speak out of both sides of our mouth.  This is one of the reasons why we have lost respect from the rest of the world.  I'm not saying we have to always do what is popular.  I'm not saying we SHOULD always do what is popular.  I think doing what is right will often put you at odds with the other nations of the world.  I just don't think we're doing what is right.  Let Israel take care of Israel's business.  We have enough to sweep up around our own back door.

Currently listening : Word of Mouth By Cowboy Mouth Release date: 29 October, 1996

6:29 PM - 6 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Passive Aggressiveness
Current mood: blustery
Category: Life

This is a very short 'blog that will undoubtedly cause some degree of controversy.  Everyone is going to think it's about them.  If you think it's about you, all you have to do is ask.  I'll tell you.

Does passive aggressiveness tick you off?  Would the world not be a much better place if people simply said what they were thinking and didn't play word games or (poorly) attempt to be cryptic?  People who deal in codes and allusions lack backbone.  They lack chutzpah.

Even now, some may point out the irony of my post itself being passive aggressive.  It is by design, as I wish to make an illustration.

So, say for instance you drink excessively, or I suspect you are smoking marijuana.  The right thing to do would be to come to you and say "Hey, you're drinking too much and smoking weed and I think it's wrong."  The wrong thing to do would be to post a 'blog and say "Man, I like to drink but I would never drink too much.  I think it is irresponsible.  I am sure smoking weed feels good, but it is illegal and dangerous, and I think people who do it are heels."  Passive aggressive.

Another illustration would be to do something bad to someone in secret, and then to go to them and say "Oh, I heard what happened.  How awful!"  Passive aggressive.

Me?  I'm active aggressive.  I try to live my life by Messianic and Epicurean standards.  "Love your neighbor."  "Happiness through lack of strife."  If you tick me off, though, I'm going to let you know.  It's all a matter of when and to what degree.  Life is a battle.  Attack.

Currently listening : Thing a Week Two By Jonathan Coulton Release date: 01 September, 2006

11:20 AM - 5 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Con Nooga!
Current mood: sleepy

Wow!  Well, where should I start?  I suppose I should start at the beginning:

After a late start (did you expect anything else??) my beloved and I finally arrived in Chattanooga around three o'clock on Thursday.  We checked into the lovely Chattanooga Choo-Choo Holiday Inn Resort and met up with Dad and Sherrie for some evening entertainment.  We walked around the grounds for a while, perusing some gift shops before setting off for the Murder Mystery Dinner Show.

The show was fantastic!  It was funny and interactive, allowing us to become the audience for a new television talk show.  Poor Dorothy met her maker before the end, though, and we were left to pick up the pieces and find the true killer.  My guess?  Peaches Delilah.  And you know what?  That bimbo was guilty!  Off with her head!

Oh?  How was the food?  It was exceptional.  It was an Italian buffet with fresh, authentic entrees.  How great is that?

The next day we head over to the Exhibitor's Building to set up our table.  We were then off to the Tennessee Aquarium.  If you've never been, you need to go.  It was amazing!  I saw my first penguins and my first octopus.  They all paled in comparison to the Weedy Seadragon, though.

The convention got underway late in the afternoon.  It was a really enjoyable time.  I had the opportunity to meet with numerous fans.  Everything was set up very nicely and aside from a few "new con" mistakes, everything went off without a hitch.

I was quite honored to meet Felix Silla, best known as Buck Rogers' "Twiki" and the Addams Family's "Cousin Itt."  I picked up a signed Itt picture for myself and an Ewok (he was also the hang-gliding Ewok in "The Return Of The Jedi") for the boy.  I also got to meet April "Chainsaw Sally" Burril.  She was very cool.  I think she's Ami's hero.  I picked up the "Chainsaw Sally" DVD and hope to give a review soon.

Of course, my running buddies were all in attendance:  Bobby "Writer @ Large" Nash, Sean "Daniel Is Not My Son" Taylor, and the world-famous Rob Freese.  Dude, doing a show without all of these guys is going to suck.  We always have so much fun when the five of us get together.  I look forward to many more misadventures in the future!

I saw a tremendous new horror film called "Methodic" by the husband/wife team of Chris and Niki Notarile.  It is the world's first BASHER movie.  What is a basher?  Instead of Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees using a knife or machete, imagine them taking a sledgehammer to someone's head.  That's a basher.  The film was really quite good, and I expect to see much more of the Dollman in coming years.  Look for "Methodic" this fall!

We watched the MerryBellies perform.  If you ever get the chance to see "Gothic-fusion bellydancing" performed, I say you should go for it!  The 501st were roaming around as well, giving me ample opportunity to catch photo ops with Jawas, Stormtroopers, Boba Fett, a Spartan from Halo, and the Dark Lord of the Sith, himself: Darth Vader.

I may do another recap later on, as I'm sure many more memories will come to me.  It was a busy weekend!  I've posted some photos in my MySpace albums, and I'll soon have an entire photographic essay on my website (http://www.danielemerytaylor.com) very soon.  Check it out!

Currently listening : Return to Earth By Michale Graves Release date: 31 October, 2006

9:30 AM - 5 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Global Warming Is A Scam
Current mood: irritated
Category: News and Politics

I am really sick of hearing about global warming.  In fact, I'm sick of hearing about a lot of stuff ... but global warming has wormed its way to the top of the list.  It's on the Discovery Channel.  It's on MSNBC.  It's on the History Channel.  It's not on the Weather Channel.  I wonder why ... ...

In the seventies, we were told the new ice age was upon us.  It's coming.  It's here.  In the seventies, with no emission regulations and coal-burning power plants, we were headed toward an ice age.  It wasn't to be debated, buddy.  It was FACT!  And it simply failed to happen.

I was going to launch into a diatribe about climate trends and junk science (and I may still do so in the near-future) but I decided to let John Coleman, the founder of the Weather Channel, speak for me.

It is the greatest scam in history. I am amazed, appalled and highly offended by it. Global Warming; It is a SCAM. Some dastardly scientists with environmental and political motives manipulated long term scientific data to create an allusion of rapid global warming. Other scientists of the same environmental whacko type jumped into the circle to support and broaden the "research" to further enhance the totally slanted, bogus global warming claims. Their friends in government steered huge research grants their way to keep the movement going. Soon they claimed to be a consensus.

Environmental extremists, notable politicians among them, then teamed up with movie, media and other liberal, environmentalist journalists to create this wild "scientific" scenario of the civilization threatening environmental consequences from Global Warming unless we adhere to their radical agenda. Now their ridiculous manipulated science has been accepted as fact and become a cornerstone issue for CNN, CBS, NBC, the Democratic Political Party, the Governor of California, school teachers and, in many cases, well informed but very gullible environmentally conscientious citizens. Only one reporter at ABC has been allowed to counter the Global Warming frenzy with one 15 minute documentary segment.

I do not oppose environmentalism. I do not oppose the political positions of either party. However, Global Warming, i.e. Climate Change, is not about environmentalism or politics. It is not a religion. It is not something you "believe in." It is science; the science of meteorology. This is my field of life-long expertise. And I am telling you Global Warming is a non-event, a manufactured crisis and a total scam. I say this knowing you probably won't believe a me, a mere TV weatherman, challenging a Nobel Prize, Academy Award and Emmy Award winning former Vice President of United States. So be it.

I have read dozens of scientific papers. I have talked with numerous scientists. I have studied. I have thought about it. I know I am correct. There is no run away climate change. The impact of humans on climate is not catastrophic. Our planet is not in peril. I am incensed by the incredible media glamour, the politically correct silliness and rude dismissal of counter arguments by the high priest of Global Warming.

In time, a decade or two, the outrageous scam will be obvious. As the temperature rises, polar ice cap melting, coastal flooding and super storm pattern all fail to occur as predicted everyone will come to realize we have been duped. The sky is not falling. And, natural cycles and drifts in climate are as much if not more responsible for any climate changes underway. I strongly believe that the next twenty years are equally as likely to see a cooling trend as they are to see a warming trend.

Right on, John!  Much like evolution, global warming is readily accepted as "fact" with woefully insufficient scientific data.  The difference between the two is that we will likely see global warming debunked in our lifetime.

In other news, I do believe we're probably sliding into a recession.  I won't know until Al Gore tells me so, though

9:07 PM - 4 Comments - 5 Kudos - Add Comment

Tribute To My Friend
Current mood: sad
Category: Friends

Here's a tribute to Cary Walton that I'll be posting on my website (http://www.danielemerytaylor.com) ... I post it here for the MySpace crowd to read.

==

On January 16, 2008, the world lost one of the good ones.  Cary was taking his wife, Autumn, and two daughters, Hannah and Abigail, to the grocery store.  When he pulled out onto the highway, the car took a direct hit from an oncoming truck to the driver's side.  Cary was killed instantly.  His wife and daughters, miraculously, were okay.  I didn't receive the news until two days later, when Cary's brother-in-law Tim came to tell me at my store.

I first met Cary about six or seven years ago.  Autumn was a pretty good friend of mine, so she was quite anxious to introduce me to her beloved.  "I just know you guys would get along great," she'd tell me.  She was right.  Cary and I had a great many interests in common.  Star Wars, comic books, vintage video games, horror movies, and toys were all shared passions.  Cary and I both had a strange (and juvenile) sense of humor.  What can I say?  We were both easily amused.  What cemented the friendship was our weekly movie night.  It started with me, Cary, Mike, and Cary's brother, Chris.  It then grew and grew.  At one point as many as fifteen people would be crammed into the Waltons' tiny apartment.  What movies would get the crowd jumping? Blackenstein, Night Train To Terror, The Alligator People, Sleepy Hollow High, Return Of The Living Dead, and any other cheesy low-budget horror film we could find.  The cheaper the better.  The cheesier the better.  We were digging up movies people had never heard of before.  Carnivore, Little Corey Gory, Cyborg 2, and other films of the sort.  I remember one night in particular when we decided to watch certain scenes from Return Of The Living Dead in Spanish.  Just as the Tar Man zombie is about to ascend the stairs, he stares into the camera and bellows "Más cerebros!"  We laughed and laughed and laughed. As I said, we were easily amused.

Somewhere along the way movie night segued into "adventure night."  We became something of ghost hunters.  You see, none of us ever actually believed in ghosts.  That didn't stop our fascination with the stories, though.  Ghostly lights, haunted houses, and dismembered voices floating through the night.  We spent many a late night romping through cemeteries and abandoned houses.  Did we ever see anything?  No, of course not.  The fun was the adventure and trying to scare each other.

One of the things I admired most about Cary was his faith.  You see, Cary was no theologian.  He didn't know Greek or Hebrew.  He didn't know the difference between premillennialism and transubstantiation.  What he did know, though, was that Jesus is the King of the universe.  He knew the Gospel of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.  He knew that only through our faith in Jesus can we be saved, and nothing ever shook him from the Truth.  Cary had a very childlike faith.  He didn't bother with the "whys" and "hows."  Does the Bible say do it?  Do it!  Does the Bible say not to do it?  Don't do it!  He didn't need an answer.  He just did what the Lord expected of him.  He knew that the Scriptures say to love the Lord with all of your heart, soul, and mind.  He also knew that there was a commandment equally as important: to love your neighbor as you love yourself.  That was something Cary never had a problem with.  He was the friendliest, nicest, most genuine and accepting guy I have ever met.  He wasn't "religious."  He wasn't a Puritan by any means.  He simply walked with Jesus, and it was apparent in everything that he ever did.

I know this all sounds broken and disjointed, and it's only a fraction of what I could say about Cary.  I just wanted to put some thoughts down while they were fresh on my mind, and I wanted to post this so that we will never forget what Cary meant to all of us.  He was like a brother to me.  I loved him dearly.  Even when everyone married, had kids, and drifted apart, I always knew he was there.  Even when there were disagreements and misunderstandings, I always knew he was there.  Now he's not there, and it breaks my heart.

Cary, I love you.  I miss you greatly.  You were a light both to me and everyone around you.  I know I'll see you again, but that doesn't make the wait any easier.

Kaddish

(Kaddish is a hymn of thanksgiving that we offer to the Lord when someone close to us dies.  We praise Him not for taking that person away, but for ever letting us have that person in our life to begin with.)

Glorified and sanctified be His Great Name in the world which is created according to His will.  May He cause the reign of His Kingdom in your lifetime and in your days, and in the life of all the house of Israel, speedily, yes, soon; and say, Amen.

May His Great Name be blessed forever and forever eternally.

Blessed and praised, glorified and exhalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He, Who is high above, far above all blessings and hymns and praises and consolations which are spoken in the world, and say, Amen.

May there be great peace from Heaven and life for us and for all Israel and say, Amen.

He Who makes peace in the Heavenly realms, may He make peace for us and for all Israel, and say, Amen.

I bless You, Yahweh, Almighty God, for the life of Cary Walton.

Currently listening : Weezer (Blue Album) By Weezer Release date: 10 May, 1994

8:41 AM - 3 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

God Hates Stags
Current mood: sleepy
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Does God hate?  Well, if you believe the Scriptures (as I do) then you would have to say that He does.  He hates wickedness, wrongdoing, divorce, the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, and Esau.  I feel bad for Esau.  I don't think he was a whole lot of bright.  Nevertheless, it is quite clear that Yahweh, the God of Israel, does have the ability to hate.  He exercises that ability frequently.  There is fast approaching a day in which the Almighty's wrath will be revealed against all disobedience, adultery, and idolatry in the world.  I know this is a really cheerful subject.  What's my point?

My point is that I've recently become aware of a cult that goes by the name of Westboro Baptist Church.  This group, operating out of Kansas, is not affiliated with any Baptist convention or association.  No reputable denomination would touch this group with a twelve foot pole.  What's the problem?  Well, for starters the group's website is http://www.godhatesfags.com ... At first glance, I wrote it off as a parody, but after seeing the group interviewed on several news shows I began to realize that they were quite serious.  I then laughed them off as a bunch of kooks.  They most certainly are kooks, but the group has really started to get under my skin.

Maybe it is the fact that news organizations are presenting them as a "Christian" group.  Maybe I'm afraid that unbelievers will look at them and think that's how a believer acts and speaks.  Maybe it's the antisemitism.  Maybe it's the fact that they scream that one must repent without ever actually telling anyone what that means.  Maybe it's because their "gospel" is that God hates everyone, hates the world, hates you, hates your mother, and wants you all to burn in Hell.  Maybe it's the lack of the cross, the Messiah, and the resurrection.  Certainly it's the lack of forgiveness, grace, and love.  I don't know.  They really bug me.

Two "church" members were recorded as saying that they hoped no person outside of Westboro was saved.  They wanted everyone to burn in Hell.  Isn't that nice?  Sure, most believers would say that they believe the world is on a bad path.  These people are like madmen who dance and sing merrily as the city burns down around them.  They're all insane.

"Whoa!" you may say.  "Daniel, this groups says that God hates homosexuality, divorce, and abortions.  Are you telling me the Bible doesn't really say that?"  No, I'm not saying that at all.  The Scriptures are quite clear on what is right and wrong.  There may some degree of gray on some issues, but most points are crystal clear.  So, what separates me from the lunatics in Kansas?

I'll give an example.  There once lived a righteous man, a priest, by the name of Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah, for you English speakers).  He was chosen by Yahweh to be His prophet throughout the land of Yhudah.  The Lord told Him "Boy, I want you to go to all of Israel and tell them if they don't straighten up I'm going to punish them.  It's going to be bad.  I'm going to bring the Babylonians against them.  Women will be raped.  Children will be killed.  It's My judgment against their idolatry.  If they will only repent of their wrongdoing and return to Me, I will show mercy and erase all of their sin from My records.  Go deliver this message to them.  I must warn you, though ... most won't listen to you" (my paraphrase).  So, Yirmeyahu did as he was told.  He gave the message to the people of Yhudah.  And cried.  He prayed for them.  And cried.  He went to God on their behalf.  And cried.  He preached.  And cried.  He prophesied.  And cried.  He fasted and cried, continued praying and cried, and sobbed and cried.  Do you get my point?  This was his nation, his people, and this absolutely broke his heart.  He knew Yahweh was right in doing what He said.  He was just beyond measure.  It still saddened Yirmeyahu greatly.  He was so grieved by the message he gave that history has dubbed him "the weeping prophet."

You know what?  Perhaps one day God will judge America for its wickedry.  He certainly judged Israel, and we're definitely held in less regard than they are.  Should I be happy about this?  Of course not!  I would be sick if I was.  I have dear friends and family members that are not believers and may very well perish if they die in their unbelief.  That tears me down to the soul.  I don't rejoice in that.  I'm not happy about that.

Yeshua (Jesus) prayed for those who crucified Him.  We are told that while we were still His enemies He died on our behalf.  He went to the whores and drunks and preached the forgiveness of God.  What is that?  That's love.  That's what the people in Westboro lack.

Does that mean I think people shouldn't teach that homosexuality, divorce, abortion, greed, and pornography are bad?  I don't think that at all.  I hold Torah in the highest regard, and I believe that it holds the words that lead to complete union with the Holy One.  Yeshua is the living Torah.  It is His Word, and if He says not to do it we probably shouldn't.  I'd like to take that one step further, though.

The Torah teaches that murder and adultery are offenses that deserve death.  Yeshua further explained that to us.  He said that looking at a woman to lust after her was committing adultery in your heart.  He said that if you are angry with your neighbor for an unjust reason it was the same as committing murder.  There's no difference in the eyes of the Highest.  He judges the things of the heart.  Sure, we may have the discipline and willpower not to act on our wicked urges, but we will be held accountable for every thought.  Uh-oh.

So, what does that mean?  It means I deserve death.  I deserve hellfire.  Have I ever looked at a woman and lusted after her?  Sure.  Have I ever been angry with someone for an unjust reason (jealousy, greed, passive racism)?  Of course.  Have you?  Absolutely.  What does that mean?  It means we're all in the same boat.  We're all transgressors of His Law.  We're all guilty.  We all deserve to be cast out of His presence for eternity.

Does the homosexual commit sin?  He does.  So do I.  My sin is neither any greater or less than his.  Should I judge him?  Should I hate him?  Why would I?  I would only condemn myself by my words and actions.  I'm a sinner saved by Yahweh's grace.  He loved His creation so greatly that He sent His Son, the Messiah, to earth to suffer our punishment.  He died on our behalf.  If not for Yeshua I'd soon burn in a lake that burns with flaming sulphur.  Does that make me holier, better, greater, or more special than anyone else?  There's nothing good in me.  It's all Him.

Love your neighbor.  It's the second greatest commandment, and it's irrevocably connected to the greatest (love the Lord, your God).  Does he do something you know is wrong?  Love him!  How can you ever help guide him if your motivation isn't love?  Is he an unbeliever?  Love him!  Let him see the love of Messiah in you.  It really isn't rocket science.  Love God.  Love man.  Everything else tends to take care of itself.

... and remember, when you point the finger at someone you have three pointing back at you.  Yes, it's childish ... but it's true.  God has a habit of making fools out of the haughty.  Trust me.  I know.  Praise His Name.

Currently listening : The Velvet Underground & Nico By The Velvet Underground Release date: 07 May, 1996

9:19 PM - 3 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment