R.I.P. Nick Adenhart of the Los Angeles Angels

So apparently my blog has now become one grand obituary. The latest death isn't a suicide and isn't shrouded in mystery though. It's the result of an incompetent piece of shit who ran a red light.

Nick Adenhart was going somewhere in life. He was one of the best pitching prospects in the game and had great potential to have a long and successful career in baseball. Now all that's gone because of one bad decision.

"Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a felony hit-and-run car accident in Fullerton, California early this morning -- hours after he pitched in a game last night.

Cops say someone driving a minivan blew through a red light, causing the Mitsubishi that Adenhart and three others were riding in to hit a light pole. Three of the four people in the Mitsubishi were killed in the crash -- Nick, another man and a woman -- while the fourth person remains in the hospital.

Cops say the person driving the van fled the scene -- but was later caught and charged with felony hit-and-run. The suspect is also being treated for injuries in a local hospital.

We're told one of the other men killed in the crash was also affiliated with the Angels organization.

Nick was 22 years old.

FYI -- Nick pitched his ass off last night, striking out 5 guys in 6 scoreless innings. His performance was hailed by sportswriters as a "brilliant effort by a 22-year-old right-hander making his fourth Major League start."

He had only pitched in 3 games last year and was going to finally get his chance as a starter in 2009. In fact, he pitched brilliantly last night before he died (6 innings, 5 strikeouts, no runs). He was also ranked as the 35th top prospect of 50 at mlb.com.

I'm glad to say that I was in attendance at one of his 4 major league appearances last year when he pitched against the Chicago White Sox. That game will be the only one he ever won in the majors. Very, very sad.

R.I.P. Matt Declerck aka Softcore

From a bulletin posted on MySpace by Jimmy Edgar:

Matthew Declerck

Born June 25 1982.
Detroit
Eternal Life March Friday 13th 2009.
NYC

Matt, also known as Softcore (myspace.com/softcoremusik), recently took his own life. I ask for privacy in this period of grieving for my best friend since 14 years old. Your sympathy and condolences have been appreciated. Let his legacy live on through his painting and music, if you did not know him.

You will find, just a few days before he left, a song called "Creepy Autograph vs. Softcore" was uploaded. A song created by Matt & Jimmy.

Thank you.

Matt was a very talented musician that the world is no better without. This is even more upsetting when you consider the recent death of Charlie Cooper from Telefon Tel Aviv. In that case, the cause of death is still unclear and many believe that it may have also been a suicide (although that is completely speculation by some at this point and should not be taken as concrete). Whether or not that is true, it's things like this that should push us to reach out to friends in need. It's ok to talk about this stuff...

Best Video on YouTube?

Weak, I know. I'll get back to writing real posts soon, but don't think this is just filler. I'm posting this video because it is still one of the absolute best videos available on youtube. It helps if you're a Cat Power fan and are familiar with either Jingi no hakaba or Shin jingi no hakaba (the two bloody clips of the Japansese prisoner jumping off the roof are from these two films).

Morgan Geist - Ruthless City

Why does this song make me think of The Goonies? Doesn't matter... this song is amazing.

100 Bullets

So I just finished the eighth book in the 100 Bullets series and I have to talk about it... even if just for a second. This book is pure fucking genius. It is so rare that a new crime-noir story can really hold its glory the whole way through. I know it's premature of me to say that since there are 5 more books to read before the story ends, but I don't really care. After the first book you are teased with bits and pieces of the real story as it slowly, but steadily unfolds. You think it's about one thing, but it's really about another. You think one person is good, but they're not...or are they? Etc. I never thought that anything would impact me as much as Preacher did, but Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso's masterpiece has. I am trying not to read it too fast so that I can enjoy it more, but it's basically the equivalent of crack for me. If you like crime, conspiracy and damn good storytelling, you're in for a treat.


From Wikipedia: The initial plot of 100 Bullets hinges on the question of whether people would take the chance to get away with revenge. Occasionally in a given story arc, the mysterious Agent Graves approaches someone who has been the victim of a terrible wrong, and gives them the chance to set things right in the form of a nondescript attaché case containing a handgun, 100 bullets, a photograph of a person, and irrefutable evidence that this person is primarily responsible for their woes. He informs the candidate that the bullets are completely untraceable: any police investigation that uncovers one of them will stop.

Though all of the murders enabled by Agent Graves are presented as justifiable, the candidates are neither rewarded nor punished for taking up the offer, and appear to receive nothing other than closure for their actions. Several people have declined the offer. This is later revealed to be only a minor part of a much wider story.

The entire run of 100 Bullets is compiled across 100 comic issues or 13 trade paperbacks (the 13th book won't be available until July 2009). You can expect a more in-depth review once I finish. This series is something I could read write an essay on...

Ratings
Vol. 1 - First Shot, Last Call 8.0 / 10
Vol. 2 - Split Second Chance 8.2 / 10
Vol. 3 - Hang up on the Hang Low 9.2 / 10
Vol. 4 - A Foregone Tomorrow 8.6 / 10
Vol. 5 - The Counterfifth Detective 9.5 / 10
Vol. 6 - Six Feet Under The Gun 9.0 / 10
Vol. 7 - Samurai 8.8 / 10
Vol. 8 - The Hard Way 9.0 / 10
Vol. 9 - Strychnine Lives TBD / 10
Vol. 10 - Decayed TBD / 10
Vol. 11 - Once Upon a Crime TBD / 10
Vol. 12 - Dirt TBD / 10
Vol. 13 - Wilt TBD / 10

Damages

An example of why Damages is slowly becoming my new favorite show...

Fuck CBS Radio

(The Douchebage, The Lesbian and The Stoner AKA Frosty, Heidi and Frank)
CBS Radio has now officially confirmed all of the information reported here. KLSX will change to “AMP RADIO” this Friday, February 20, at 5 p.m. The new format is described as “playing all the hits.” Friday will mark the final broadcasts for Adam Carolla, Tom Leykis, and Frosty, Heidi, and Frank. Thus far, none of them has discussed their plans for the future.

Earlier in the week, multiple sources had corroborated reports that Carolla’s radio show had been cancelled and that Carolla had been let go. Some rumors correctly suggested his home station, Los Angeles’s 97.1 KLSX, was preparing to switch from its current talk format to a more top-40-style format. Other speculation correctly suggested the change would leave KLSX personality Tom Leykis out of a job as well.

As for the format shift, radio gossip site RadioInsight first discovered that the domains AmpRadioLA.com, Amp971.com, and Amp971fm.com were all registered anonymously on February 9. Additionally, AmpRadio971.com and 971AmpRadio.com were registered in the name of programming consultant Anthony Acampora about a month ago. (Amp Radio is evidently a youth-oriented format that’s been used in other markets.)

Carolla, interestingly, signed a “multiyear extension” for his “Adam Carolla Show” program at the end of 2007. A CBS Radio exec said at the time that the show had “far exceeded [CBS's] expectations and proven to be a listener favorite,” even adding that he “anticipate[d] even more success for the program in the years to come.”


Source: http://www.inquisitr.com/18357/adam-carolla-show/

This really sucks. I've been listening to the Frosty, Heidi and Frank show for over 5 years and have never heard anything that made me laugh consistently. These guys are out of control. I hope they find a new home, but talk radio seems to be dead. The only way is only or through satellite which limits the listeners down to those willing to pay a premium for their service. Argh. This sucks. The three talk shows that will be gone starting today at 5pm got me through commutes to and from work, as well as boring lunches or dull office hours. This really, really sucks.

Alan Moore Is Going To Shit...

Is this real? Official Watchmen condoms?



Taken from: http://www.toplessrobot.com/

Review - Marvel 1985

Talk about the perfect throwback to a childhood spent reading comics and growing up in the eighties… Mark Millar (Wanted, Wolverine) successfully created a mesmerizing tale where fantasy becomes reality when comic heroes and villains cross over to the our universe. The story follows young Toby Goodman stuck in the aftermath of his parents divorce and coping with his ensuing bout of depression that is keeping him from being capable of handling the real world. Although his step-father is kind to him, Toby wants his real father, Jerry, to be around more because he looks up to him. Jerry is your "typical" comic collecting fanboy with no real direction and motivation, but that soon changes when he is presented with the opportunity to become the hero and save his son and the rest of the world when an onslaught of Marvel villains invade our world with hopes of destroying it.

This book captures Issues #1-6 of Marvel 1985, which ran from July - December of 2008. The story that Millar created is sure to please long-time comic fans thanks to all the interesting (and occasionally hilarious) cameos from popular heroes and villains, alongside some long-forgotten characters that are sure to bring smiles all around. This book is also very easily accessible to readers lacking familiarity to the Marvel universe due largely in part to the captivating characters from our world, like Toby and his father. I was actually pleasantly surprised how moving the story was as I read through it. I wasn’t expecting it to be so emotional. Dealing with divorce in a child’s life is a very sad topic and I believe that Millar really hit home with a lot of his readers by allowing them to sympathize with Toby.

Tommy Lee Edwards (Batman, Hellboy) managed to decipher a realistic approach to his panels for this unique story and his art is downright phenomenal. I don’t think anyone better could have been chosen to create this series alongside Millar. I am very happy with the final product and would highly recommend this to all readers alike.

Final Rating: 8.6 / 10

Crows Zero II

After the huge success of the first film, Crows Zero II is sure to please movie lovers of all kinds. I have shown the original film to a few people and all of them (foreign film lovers and casual watchers alike) loved it. There is something about the characters and production value teamed with Miike's one-of-a-kind direction. Expect a review on that one soon, but for now, check out the new full trailer for the sequel. This is probably my most anticipated film of the year.

BJ Penn VS GSP 2 - Prediction

This being the second time these two guys will step into the octagon to face each other, I feel like I should be able to make a concrete prediction of who will win tonights fight. In my opinion, there is more reason to believe that St. Pierre is the better fighter, but I don't know. The last time they fought, BJ worked him the first 2 rounds, but couldn't deliver where it counted. I think BJ is a jerk and I don't particularly want him to win, but he could very well runaway with this match tonight. I'll stick with GSP, but I am positive it will be a great card tonight, or at least it will be better than the Affliction (boo) fight last week that gave us a 2 minute main event. That won't happen. There will be blood...

Graphic Novel Revelation

The last time I read comic books on a regular basis was when I was 13 or so. I was a huge fan of Wolverine, Batman and general superhero titles for years and it really changed things for me. It was such a fantastic indulgence at that age and really contributed to my massive appreciation for writing and art in general. The idea of capturing creativity in other mediums like film and music are familiar to us all, but comic books and graphic novels reach a much smaller portion of our peers. This makes me wonder why I ever got out of them in the first place. I guess while becoming a teenager and finding different ways to be evil, I lost interest.

Awhile back I got back into the game and started buying up graphic novels like crazy and have been completely immersed in them since. It's nice being older for the simple reason that I can finally get the books that I've always wanted to read, but was too young to purchase because they were Suggested For Mature Readers. Now I've been able to read classics like Preacher, The Sandman and Hellblazer, as well as some newer popular titles like Y: The Last Man, 100 Bullets and other Vertigo titles & beyond. The writing in many of these is so amazing and refreshing that they deserve to be touted and appreciated even if it's long overdue.

So, the reason for all this back story is that I plan on working up some reviews of many of the graphic novels I've finished lately so that I can share this stuff with more of you. I've already got a handful of people severely hooked over the last year (including my mom - which is fucking awesome), so if your interest is piqued, then I implore you to explore some on your own. Graphic novels are not just for kids who can't shave yet. Many of them are here to get inside of you, raise eyebrows and spread art.

Ayn Rand On Religion

She makes some great points while managing to stay candid and relaxed, unlike many others who engage in debates about religion. Whether or not you agree with her, you have to give her credit for delivering her thoughts in such a calm and honest manner. Me? I agree with her.