Drunken Valet!

Remember when the US TV station's used to run public service announcement's? Why don't they do that anymore? Here's a good one from Brazil, but it would be just as effective here!

What's a cereal company to do?

For decades, cereal companies like Kellogg's, used promotion items, (as well as popular character's), to promote their products to customers.

Now the Federal Trade Commission, is offering guide lines, (voluntary principles), to guide the food industry in it's efforts to self regulate what people eat.

Now, I may be a bit biased here, but I don't think toys in a Happy Meal, or a cereal box is the reason we've become a nation of obese, unhealthy kids. I think the disappearance of school activities, gym requirements, and the time children are allowed to sit on their butts and play video games instead of actual physical activity has something to do with it.

I'm sure glad we've solved all our nation's pressing issues, so that politician's can now focus their vital energy telling companies, how to make and advertise their products. I don't usually vent on my site, but I think this is a really mis-guided effort to solve a problem.

Church (and church, again)

Back in November, the Pastor of our church, left for another church, in another state. Toni and I miss him. (And, I have a confession to make.) I still go, on-line, to listen and watch his sermons.
Philip Griffin is now Senior Pastor at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Every week after service is over, the church posts Philip's message on-line.

So every week for about 5 months, I've been going to church twice a week. Once in Battle Creek, and once in Wisconsin.Now I'm not saying that the service at my church is bad; I think the work that Philip started there goes forward. But, I do feel a connection with Pastor Phil. I miss his keen insights, and his gift to communicate God's message for us.

Thank you Philip.

They start shooting "The Avengers" today!

Hello friendly readers. Pat here with a movie news item. As many of my good friends and family know, I am a life-long fan of comic books. So it is with great joy I tell you; They started shooting a new movie today, based upon the Marvel Comic Book; "The Avengers".

The Avengers is a collective group of Marvel superheroes, who team up, when there is such a dire threat, that a single hero wont do. Now I am pleased as punch, that they are making this film at all. I am even more excited that the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and Samual L. Jackson are all going to star in it.

And I am absolutly thrilled, that the incredibly talented Joss Wheadon will be writing and directing this epic action adventure. I'm sure I'll be posting more fan-boy news in the weeks ahead!

Rap Battles in History!

Yes believe it, fan's! I've finally found a rap song I can get behind! (These guy's can rap. Who knew?) Let's watch Albert Einstein and Steven Hawking get down!

Did you ever want to tickle a penguin?

Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog Returns! (*yeah!*)

Good news music lovers, and shameless fans of Joss Whedon; it has been widely reported, that Dr. Horrible will return some time soon with another sing-a-long adventure. A while back, the creator of Buffy the Vampire (Joss Whedon), and Neil Patrick Harris, colaborated on a little sci-fi musical comedy; "Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog"! It was such silly fun to watch...and great musical numbers to boot! So I for one, am glad that they have agreed to do another one for the web. Here's a peek!

Sad day for Doctor Who fans...

Elizabeth Sladen; who played the character of Sarah Jane Smith died of cancer yesterday. Elizabeth played one of the best loved characters; in the entire series of Doctor Who. ( A show that's been on TV since 1963, and that's saying something.) She eclipsed the popularity of many an actor who has played the good doctor.

The picture on the far left is from 2010, the last time she appeared on the show. The picture on the right, is from the mid '70's during her early run on the show!

It's a sad day for Doctor Who fans. Elizabeth Sladen 1948-2011.

Snow Day

Got up today...snow! What next? The locals say, "if you don't like the weather in Michigan, wait 15 minutes!

And.....Action!

Happy Sunday to you all. Pat here, with another Action Toni update. (Yes, these crazy adventures do seem to turn up often!) One of the creative ways, I spend my time, and consequently, keep my design skills up to snuff, is by creating these self-published comics. Each month, I turn in 2-3 days of earnest work, photographing, photo shopping, designing, writing and publishing the Adventures of Action Toni. (About 24-32 hours of creative effort!) These crazy parodies, of movies, TV, books, and comics continue to entertain me, (and hopefully, friends and family), that are continually bombarded by this silly pastime! It's almost ready, "The Invasion of the Saucer-Men". An instant Action Toni classic!

A Hobbit Post

I have read the book, "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien about 20 times in its entirety! I am so excited that Peter Jackson is making this into a movie. I just had to post this Video Blog. Enjoy!

Tax Update!

Hi faithful readers, Pat here with an update to my resent tax story. Today I received the paperwork and a letter from my bank stating the bank erred in reporting my 2009 401K roll-over as a payout! An amended 1099 tax form is being sent to the IRS. The bank owed up to the error in their cover letter! I will be sending copies of the material, along with the IRS forms to the IRS. We'll see what happens next. I'll keep you posted!

Get Motivated

Hi and good morning faithful readers. Sorry I haven't posted a lot this month. I have been extra busy! Yesterday, I was up at 6:00 a.m. and out the door by 6:30 to go to Grand Rapids to attend a One-Day Business seminar; Get Motivated! It primarily was a group of business leaders and successful people from all walks of life, giving talks about life, love, legacy.

Very moving, inspirational, and some times, sad, John Walsh (of TV's America's Most Wanted), spoke, and there wasn't a dry-eye in the house. Other speakers included, Rudy Giuliani, Terry Bradshaw, Krish Dhanam, Lou Holtz, and Gen. Collin Powell.

It was a great day of inspiration. Here is a peek!

Yesterday was Beautiful!

Wasn't yesterday beautiful? It was sunny, hot, (79 in Battle Creek), and the kind of day that all the kids are in shorts. Toni and I, got home from church, changed into casual clothes, and went for a walk. Then we started to police the yard, cutting back some old growth from the gardens, and I started to hack branches off a big tree that came down in a storm a few weeks back. Come on Spring! We're all waiting! By the way, we're back to 50's and raining today! (*sigh)

Another Action Toni on it's way...

Many of my inner circle are aware of my self-published comic series, Action Toni. I created the character a while back, and the figures, (dolls), used are refered to as my Salvation Army Actors.

Action Toni, is a comic send-up to the comics I read as a kid, as well as many of the TV shows I watched back in the '60's.

Action Toni Comics are available in a PDF file...so let me know if you're interested in joining the list of follower's who enjoys this silly nonsense!

:) Click on the cover to see it in greater detail!~

The Secret, Part II

Hello, faithful readers of this blog...Pat here, with an update to, "The Secret"! I was re-reading some of my old blog entries, and I was struck by my January 24, 2011 entry. It read in part: "Right now on my vision board, there is a picture of Aaron Rogers with Superbowl Champs written on it. I put it there several weeks before, when the Packers were about to play the New York Giants." They we're, and Aaron Rogers, the guy in the picture, he was named the player of the game! I have lots of other pictures on my vision board...next time you see me, ask me about The Secret!

A cure for what ails you! (and it works!)

I've got the perfect remedy for what ails you. Where ever you go, what ever trial or tribulation you're going through, this song, is for you! Enjoy