Here is a great way to kill a few minutes on a Monday morning. I’m not sure that I’m proud to admit that I scored 100% on this weeks quiz. Give it a shot and find out just how much of an alcoholic you are.

In this week’s installment of Everything’s More Fun When Your Dressed Like a Stormtrooper, we can see that truer words were never spoken. Normally riding the little kids train around the park is a bore for anyone over the age of 6 but, when your dressed like a Stormtrooper it’s a thrill-a-minute whirlwind of fun, fun, fun!

Last week’s Everything’s More Fun When Your Dressed Like a Stormtrooper!

As I was getting ready to post my
Book List last week, I came to the realization that I have spent way too much time reading fantasy novels over the past year or so. I have tried to squeeze in a few non-fiction books. The one I finished over the weekend was Sowbelly: The Obsessive Quest for the World-Record Largemouth Bass by Monte Burke. The title pretty much says it all as far as describing what the book is about. One in long list of hobbies I have is bass fishing. So when my father-in-law (who happens to be my bassin’ buddy) recommended this book how could I pass it by.

The current world record of 22 pounds 4 ounces caught on June 2, 1932, is held by George Perry from Telfair County, Georgia. Burke does a good job of telling Perry’s tale and describes his visit with Bill Baab the world’s leading expert on the Perry story. It seems that ever since that fateful day in 1932, others have been questing to beat his record. Burke visits a number of California’s best fisherman to discuss their obsession. He talks with officials in Texas and a wacky guy from Alabama who are trying to grow the next world record bass. Burke tops off his stories with a visit to the forbidden island, Cuba, where the cigars aren’t the only thing Americans are missing out on.

Sowbelly also tells much of the history of bass fishing in America. It also describes how like so many other things American how the popularity of bass fishing is growing accordingly throughout the world in places like Cuba and Japan. The average fisherman will find a common note with the obsession of those questing for the world record bass. When Burke describes the optimism of fishing, the hope that any cast you could be the one when you pull in a lunker, he is talking to me. I know that feeling.

I found Sowbelly to be an extremely easy and enjoyable read. However, I will warn you that if you’re a fisherman, be careful because by the time you get through this book you’ll be ready to hit the water.

Rating: 4/5

Arrrgh! ‘Appy Talk Like A Pirate Day!. September 19th is one of my favorite days every year. I get to walk around yelling Arrrgh!, Shiver Me Timbers!, and Show’em Your Larboard! What could possibly be better!

Looking for the perfect shirt for Talk Like A Pirate Day! Check out my piratey designs!

Here is the latest in our continuing series of Everything is More Fun When Your Dressed Like a Stormtrooper!. This week we see Stormtroopers grocery shopping. Doesn’t this look like more fun than the last time you went to ShopCity, Food Warehouse, or Grocery Lion?

Last weeks Everything’s More Fun When Your Dressed Like a Stormtrooper!

I haven’t seen this cartoon on the web in a while so I thought I’d repost it. For you fans of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu, the Family Circus cartoon you always wanted to see.

I watched The Sarah Connor Chronicles all last year. I loved this show. I watched the new episode last night. In honor of its second season, I thought I would post a picture from the show which I found amusing. Check out the barrel of Sarah Connor’s shotgun. Oops! I’m surprised that the FOX props department remembered to take the red plastic cap off the barrel before they handed it to her. Must make it a little hard to fight off the terminators when you have to yell Bang every time you pull the trigger.

One of the books I finished over the weekend was, Comrades : Brothers, Fathers, Heroes, Sons, Pals, by one of my favorite non-fiction authors Stephen Ambrose. This book is different from Ambrose’s others. Ambrose usually writes historical accounts of events with a very personal view. Telling the stories of World War II and the American West from the point of view of the individuals who actually took part in these historic events and the relationships between them. Comrades tells the stories in an even more personal way. The entire focus of the book is not on historical events but on the relationships between the men involved. Comrades focus on the bonds of friendship between men started from shared experiences and shared interests that grow into bonds that can only be broken death. Some of the stories include subjects of Ambrose’s other books including General George Custer, President Eisenhower, and the men of Easy Company. Many of the stories feature Ambrose himself and the friendships he has shared over the years with his own close friends, his brothers, and even his father.

Read more

For the past couple of years I have started to keep track of the books I have read. Its not because I’m anal retentive (I’m anything but). Its mostly because I read a lot and have a terrible memory. There is nothing I hate more than starting a book only to realize after 2 or 3 chapters that I’ve already read it. Also when I go to recommend a book to a friend, I inevitably can never remember the name or the author of the book I’m thinking of. I decided to share the list on My Dark Designs to make it easier for me and my friends to access it. I plan to continue to update it as I go.

I usually read a little bit of everything. I didn’t realize it until I put the list together to publish just how much of a fantasy kick I have been on during the last year. Apparently, I’ve needed a bit more escapism than usual. I’ve decided to switch gears a little and go back to some historical fiction which is one of my favorite genres.

Anyhow feel free to check out my book list and leave a comment.

Ok, maybe everything isn’t funnier when you’re dressed like a Stormtrooper. Looks like he just found out that several thousand of his brothers were on the Death Star.

Check out the original by Johnny Chaing.

Last weeks Everything is Funnier When Your Dressed Like a Stormtrooper!