Siren Calls
► About an hour and a half ago I was standing in the front room writing a message for Dean regarding a phone call, when I heard a firetruck siren. As the sound got louder I jokingly thought to myself "I hope they're not coming here". Finishing the note, and still hearing the siren, I glanced out the door to out deck and saw that the truck was parked in front of my building. Three firemen in full gear got out of the truck.
A couple of days ago a woman and 2 teenagers (her kids obviously) moved into the apartment above the old fruit distribution shop across the street. They were all on the outdoor patio and the firemen went to talk to her. After about five minutes (maybe longer) the 3 firemen went up to the apartment. several minutes later I happened to see them come back down. A short while later, the 4th fireman, who had been the driver) started storing the others' gear as they resumed chatting with the woman, the lead fireman holding a clipboard.
I have no idea what was wrong or what happened. After 30 or more minutes, the firemen and the truck left. What makes this interesting to me, is that this isn't the first time something weird has gone on in the apartment across the street. Last summer there was a full police raid that apparently found a marijuana co-op. And after newer tenants moved into the apartment, we'd see 2 or 3 police squad cars park in front of the building for periods up to an hour.
God knows what the hell is up with the place.
► Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm an idiot. Losing that Ms. Marvel drawing by Carlos Silva a couple weeks ago is still stinging, so I was surprised when I checked the seller's website and found there was another Ms. Marvel drawing by Silva available for purchase at $45, and it had just been listed on the site yesterday. After talking with Court, the seller and artist rep for the site group, I purchased the drawing this morning, and so I should be getting it in the next couple of weeks.
And yes, this is on top of my having a $30 bid on that Red Sonja auction (which I still really want), and four more lowball bids on some other auctions (one of which I was already outbid the other day). All of these were bid on before I bought the above drawing, and I don't intend to raise my bids on any of them. Since I fully expect to lose all five auctions, I figure it's fine and I'll be safe. And even if I was to win all five (or at least the 4 I'm still the lead bidder on), I can afford and manage getting them.
This actually had me wondering what my actual chances would be of winning any of the five auctions. After looking up how to calculate percentage (it being 19 years since my last math class), I found out that of all the Ebay auctions I've placed bids on since joining the site, I've won 26%. Of the Court auctions I've bid on, I've won only 22% (2 of 9 total; that's correct, right?). So... I take this to mean that of the five current auctions (4 Court, 1 other), I'm most likely to win at least 1 of them.
I think... We'll have to wait and see where the chips fall on Sunday (when the last of the five auctions ends).
► 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' poster features nude Rooney Mara, curiously upset Daniel Craig (NSFW) - She's not "nude", she's topless. There is a difference. So much controversy over a single pierced nipple. Yeesh.
A nipple? A nipple! Won't somebody think of the children?!
► Alec Baldwin Not Ruling Out Running For Mayor Of NYC - Awww, I want Alec to stay on 30 Rock. :-(
► DC Comics: The World's Ugliest-Dressed Superheroes:
I fail to see how emulating some of the worst cliches of early 90s Image style costume excess (straps and more straps! blades! spikes! big shoulder pads!) is modern. Black Canary, Midnighter and Deathstroke (who looks like the 90s vomited all over him) all looked so much better in their previous outfits (I also think they had a vastly improved look for Martian Manhunter in Brightest Day, and they should have kept that). The above ones just look ugly and have no style. I can't even form any words to describe my thoughts regarding the Teen Titan costumes.
I still don't understand DC's reasoning in claiming the relaunch is all about "iconic" portrayals of their characters and properties, when so many are being stuck in generic outfits and some of the properties seem bizarrely altered. Does DC really need 2 WWII properties, Blackhawks and Sgt. Rock, updated into G.I. Joe pastiches? Maybe they just should have combined them into SGT. ROCK AND THE BLACKHAWKS. I actually am interested in the Stormwatch comic, but just find the new costumes ridiculously distracting.
Quote of the Moment
Chief Albert Risley: All it takes is one man, could be anybody... your neighbor, my neighbor... one man to destroy a city.
- City on Fire (1979)
Drinking: water
A couple of days ago a woman and 2 teenagers (her kids obviously) moved into the apartment above the old fruit distribution shop across the street. They were all on the outdoor patio and the firemen went to talk to her. After about five minutes (maybe longer) the 3 firemen went up to the apartment. several minutes later I happened to see them come back down. A short while later, the 4th fireman, who had been the driver) started storing the others' gear as they resumed chatting with the woman, the lead fireman holding a clipboard.
I have no idea what was wrong or what happened. After 30 or more minutes, the firemen and the truck left. What makes this interesting to me, is that this isn't the first time something weird has gone on in the apartment across the street. Last summer there was a full police raid that apparently found a marijuana co-op. And after newer tenants moved into the apartment, we'd see 2 or 3 police squad cars park in front of the building for periods up to an hour.
God knows what the hell is up with the place.
► Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm an idiot. Losing that Ms. Marvel drawing by Carlos Silva a couple weeks ago is still stinging, so I was surprised when I checked the seller's website and found there was another Ms. Marvel drawing by Silva available for purchase at $45, and it had just been listed on the site yesterday. After talking with Court, the seller and artist rep for the site group, I purchased the drawing this morning, and so I should be getting it in the next couple of weeks.
And yes, this is on top of my having a $30 bid on that Red Sonja auction (which I still really want), and four more lowball bids on some other auctions (one of which I was already outbid the other day). All of these were bid on before I bought the above drawing, and I don't intend to raise my bids on any of them. Since I fully expect to lose all five auctions, I figure it's fine and I'll be safe. And even if I was to win all five (or at least the 4 I'm still the lead bidder on), I can afford and manage getting them.
This actually had me wondering what my actual chances would be of winning any of the five auctions. After looking up how to calculate percentage (it being 19 years since my last math class), I found out that of all the Ebay auctions I've placed bids on since joining the site, I've won 26%. Of the Court auctions I've bid on, I've won only 22% (2 of 9 total; that's correct, right?). So... I take this to mean that of the five current auctions (4 Court, 1 other), I'm most likely to win at least 1 of them.
I think... We'll have to wait and see where the chips fall on Sunday (when the last of the five auctions ends).
► 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' poster features nude Rooney Mara, curiously upset Daniel Craig (NSFW) - She's not "nude", she's topless. There is a difference. So much controversy over a single pierced nipple. Yeesh.
A nipple? A nipple! Won't somebody think of the children?!
► Alec Baldwin Not Ruling Out Running For Mayor Of NYC - Awww, I want Alec to stay on 30 Rock. :-(
► DC Comics: The World's Ugliest-Dressed Superheroes:
I fail to see how emulating some of the worst cliches of early 90s Image style costume excess (straps and more straps! blades! spikes! big shoulder pads!) is modern. Black Canary, Midnighter and Deathstroke (who looks like the 90s vomited all over him) all looked so much better in their previous outfits (I also think they had a vastly improved look for Martian Manhunter in Brightest Day, and they should have kept that). The above ones just look ugly and have no style. I can't even form any words to describe my thoughts regarding the Teen Titan costumes.
I still don't understand DC's reasoning in claiming the relaunch is all about "iconic" portrayals of their characters and properties, when so many are being stuck in generic outfits and some of the properties seem bizarrely altered. Does DC really need 2 WWII properties, Blackhawks and Sgt. Rock, updated into G.I. Joe pastiches? Maybe they just should have combined them into SGT. ROCK AND THE BLACKHAWKS. I actually am interested in the Stormwatch comic, but just find the new costumes ridiculously distracting.
Quote of the Moment
Chief Albert Risley: All it takes is one man, could be anybody... your neighbor, my neighbor... one man to destroy a city.
- City on Fire (1979)
Drinking: water