Friday, June 29, 2012

Two Things I Ruined With the Internet

There are probably more, but I stopped counting at two: Fringe, and the Hunger Games.

A few months ago, I was flipping through some links, probably on io9 or Chud, and read some article about the unanswered questions in the previous season of Fringe.  I hadn't watched any episodes before, despite my interest, and figured that I would probably not get around to it until the series ended or was cancelled in some untimely fashion.  The Old Lady and I have continued her policy of almost never checking the NetFlix queue, and one day disc one of season one of Fringe showed up.  I wasn't really annoyed by the knowledge of the few tidbits that article had given me, but then I had to look up whether Fringe was still on the air since we don't get Fox on a regular basis with our previously-urban-now-decidedly-rural broadcast antenna.  I couldn't find the information I wanted fast enough through other means, so I clicked through to Wikipedia.  Suddenly, I found myself in an Arrested Westeros moment: I've made a huge mistake.

The truly moronic aspect of this story is that I ruined The Hunger Games in EXACTLY the same way about two months prior, and had resolved not to research anything I wanted to consume on Wikipedia.  Books, movies, foods, etc, everything can be ruined forever.

The Hungus Games are probably in production now, or may even be available on Pay Per View at your local hotel.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Washington Times Video of DC's Regional Air Guitar Competition



I'm in it, briefly.

Rockstache at the 930 Club


Both photos are from OnTap Online Gallery.  Since the photos are of me, I'm going to assume that it perfectly legal to use them.  If not, I've dealt with lawyers before.

Regarding my performance, my friends think I need to be more dynamic with my actions.  There is definite room for improvement in my fingering, and strumming.  Some kicks, and maybe a good leap into the air, out over the crowd, hopefully landing somewhere that doesn't involve on a person.  Stage dives can be really lame if you aren't rocking out, but can really seal a legendary performance.

Regarding the costume, I think the shirt was too big.  I bought it back when I was really fat, say early season Biggest Loser contestant who isn't going to win because he didn't start out at somewhere north of 400 pounds, as opposed to late season Biggest Loser who isn't going to win because he didn't start out at somewhere north of 400 pounds.  My arms look ok, though, all the tilling and pushups seem to be having some effect.  The mustache could be bigger.  Air Guitar is one area of the universe where facial will always be accepted and even respected.

So for next year, I'm aiming for two things: a six pack (instead of the mini keg) and a possibly fake giant mustache across my shoulder blades for maximum impact when I do some sort of spin-kick/guitar flip.  Probably skinny jeans as well.

The oddest part of the evening was being asked, "hey, you're the guy who really knows how to play guitar right?  I heard you're actually good at it."  My response was, "Uh. No. I've held a guitar, and made noise come out of it, but there is no way you would ever call me good at it."

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Time for Another Fifteen?

I hope to surprise my father with another brief bit of in/fame on June 23.  The Genius is taking the stage at the 930 Club.  Without an instrument.  Ahem, without a visible instrument.  I am competing in the DC Regional of the US Air Guitar Competition under the nom de air of Rockstache.  If you can make it, you better cheer for me.

Two of Genius Cousins have played the 930 Club, but they were in punk bands.  Actual bands, with instruments and other people and stuff.  I have this odd feeling they will not appreciate my performance.