5 Things to do This Weekend

One Piece

Rated B has been around for quite some time, albeit under a different name - we used to be called "The Rundown" and we offered bulleted lists of pop-cultural tidbits from time to time. Here are five things to help you pass the weekend, from around the Web and our sites.

1. Cynic - The Lion's Roar (song)
2. Anime hit, One Piece - Shonen Jump, is available on Hulu+ in its entirety. With more than 775 episodes, there's plenty to binge on.
3. The new series, Lucifer, is also showing on Hulu+.
4. Wikipedia has a List of Campaign Settings published for tabletop RPG.
5. The B-Raters vs. April Fool's Day will get you into the holiday spirit.

© The Weirding, 2016

6 Fun Things for Friday

Legend of the Seeker Wallpaper

We made it through another one! Fridays are rarely productive workdays, since everyone is so eager for the weekend. Here is a list of some things you can do to pass the time.

• Some Decapitated to start off the weekend, proper. Day 69

• Get caught-up on your Cult films over the weekend.

• Legend of the Seeker was a great syndicated fantasy series. Sadly, it only ran two seasons - both of which are available on Hulu+.

• Rock-out while learning more about the artists behind the tunes with these Rockumentaries from Snag Film.

• Confused about a character, or just want to learn more about your favorite Marvel superhero or villain? Here is the Marvel Database. It also has tons of content regarding Marvel movies and TV shows, video games, and more.

• If reading is more your thing, check out these titles from Conan the Barbarian creator, Robert E. Howard. They are free to download.

Have a great weekend!

© The Weirding, 2016

7 Links for the Valentine's Day Weekend

My Bloody Valentine Wallpaper

It's Friday again, but this one is special because it's the 2016 Valentine's Day weekend.  Here's a list of Valentine songs, movies, and more to help set the mood.

• Shout! Factory TV is launching a Valentine-themed horror movie marathon, starting at 2pm, CT on Valentine's Day, called "Love is in the Scare"
• Van Halen - Love Walks In 
• This is the Candied Hearts theme for Firefox
• The history of Valentine's Day might surprise you
• Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion
• If Rom-Com is more your thing, here's The Mindy Project 
• Finally, here's a list of six, great horror flicks to watch on Valentine's Day

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

© The Weirding, 2016

8 Great Links for Friday

The last day of the work week for many in America, we like to celebrate Fridays when we can with a little something extra. 

This week, I decided to round-up a bunch of fun links from around the Web that relate to pop-culture. Some are streaming movies and TV shows, others are great websites, there is a music video or two, and more. 

Enjoy!

• Here's a Deadpool theme for Firefox

• Check out Mike Norton's webcomic, Battlepug

• Watch episodes of X-Men: Evolution on Hulu+

• Here is a Harley Quinn theme for Firefox

• David Bowie performing Ziggy Stardust from the motion picture

• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs turned 78 this week

• Bugs Bunny Voice Actor, Joe Alaskey, died at age 63
  
• The B-Raters vs. Devil Rider this Tuesday around 9pm, CT on YouTube

© The Weirding, 2016

Standstill

In its heyday, this blog received anywhere from 100-150 visitors a day roughly; these days, it receives about 40. That was also the heyday of blogs. That's all you heard everywhere you turned - "blog," "blogging," "bloggers," the "Blogosphere," ad infinitum - so much so that I cringed whenever I heard the word and quit telling people that's what I did. While I never made enough money from this to support myself, I did okay working about five blogs simultaneously despite never making much from traffic alone nor having ever received a check from the Internet's answer to Wal-Mart (I have no problem with Amazon - I'm a good customer myself - just being honest). All of that ended around 2009, when the Depression hit the online world and "microblogging" sites and social networks became the new standard.

So I cut back on the number of blogs I run and regularly post to but kept working rather tirelessly on the few I maintain. Eventually, I was making far more money writing for other ventures than I was blogging and was forced to focus on those jobs. Still, I run my mouth a lot (one of the reasons I don't have a "day job" I couldn't afford to quit) and I really enjoy blogging, if for no other reason than that microblogs don't provide enough room for all my bullshit.

However, I was so very far away from what others refer to as "satisfied" or "happy." I was working literally 10-16+ hours a day, often seven days a week, and still wasn't making enough money to provide for myself comfortably, even with a second income. Some of that is due to the economic "downturn" of the last several years, the rise in grocery prices directly associated with the rise in gas prices, and so on, but no small part of it is directly related to the reputation the Internet has as sort of a graveyard for the lesser-skilled - where hacks and has-beens retire to when they can't find gainful employment offline.

In fewer words: I wasn't being paid what I am worth.

Luckily, that bad reputation - while somewhat deserved - is beginning to fade as more credible and well-known people (Names, they are called in some industries) take to the Web as a means of cutting-out the many Middlemen involved in every line of creative work in this country and circumvent the numerous governmental and social restrictions of more mainstream outlets such as film, "terrestrial" radio, print, and television. And while those outlets remain the bastions of mainstream entertainment and (what passes for) news and information, as well as the standards by which our efforts are judged, that last sentence will be hopelessly dated within my lifetime as the Internet itself increasingly becomes mainstream to the point that it is the invisible delivery system beneath the products it showcases.

What you probably do not know about me is that I eschewed a career in mainstream entertainment for one online, largely because it was far less stressful and more conducive to my personal lifestyle, but also because I have some very real and legitimate problems with how those industries are run. Now that those problems encroach upon the online world, as many of the people involved in those industries have because the Internet has decimated traditional mainstream entertainment, it isn't as important as it once was.

So I am still blogging, though I have had to cutback a lot lately, both to focus on other projects and have what passes for a "life" (read: playing World of Warcraft). This blog has taken many different directions in the last seven years that I have been on Blogger (this particular post is more like something you would have read on the old GeoCities site *) and will continue to go in whatever direction it takes me, but don't expect the daily posts to which you were once accustomed -- more like a flurry of posts now and then between infrequent ones.

© C Harris Lynn, 2013

The Lost Week

Sorry about last week. I was supposed to have gone to the doctor's on Monday but my ride said they'd have to pick me up several hours earlier than I was scheduled - approximately six hours earlier, to be exact - and I certainly wasn't up to riding or sitting around all day then going to the doctor's. So I had to cancel the day of the appointment and reschedule, then secure transportation for the new appointment. All while keeping up with my World of Warcraft dailies.

Seriously, you think I'm kidding? You can do WoW dailies on a single character literally from sun up to sun down - and even then, you might not finish them all before they reset! You don't have to do them all, actually I'm not sure that you can, but missing even a day or two here and there can set you back entire weeks on some projects, so you really need to do at least a few of them most days. I know it's just a game and all but it really is a kind of virtual life and I really enjoy it, so I want my little toons to accomplish all their toonish goals.

Community came back and it was pretty awful. They canceled Don't Trust the B in Apt. 23 and it appears they may be getting ready to cancel Parenthood, which really sucks. Christina Applegate left her show, Up All Night, so it isn't likely to return and 30 Rock ended. I've watched all of about three hours of weekly broadcast TV since then.

I haven't read a comic book in months...

Anyway, I'll try to do better this week but then I have to have a (very minor) procedure done next week, so I know I'll be busy then.

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

Sorry

My family is celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend, then I am having company on Thanksgiving itself, so I've been catching-up on things (okay, mainly sleep - WHAT!?) and cleaning the house this week. I haven't even decorated the place. In fact, I didn't even decorate the house for Halloween this year for no good reason...

Anyway, I'll be back to posting regularly soon enough. I'm working on a big project that I can't really say anything about right now for all sorts of reasons but hopefully I'll have some great news for you soon. Until then, enjoy the archives!

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

Changes

You may have noticed we're not posting as often as we used to. There simply wasn't enough content to post. I used to get several press releases each week, but now I only get a handful. I still post most of those, but there would be several days between posts if that's all I did. Like I say, I am also pursuing some other things in my life that forced me to pull back on the blogs some. There will still be busy days and fevered runs, just not as often as there used to be.

But The Rundown isn't going anywhere, just slowing down a bit. We are always looking for guest bloggers and other blogs with which to trade links and banners. I am also spending more time working on the website, so be sure to check that out whenever you can.

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

Setting-Up the New Computer

That is all I've been doing since I got it the other day. I still don't have all my fonts and files installed, which is probably what I'll be working on today, but I did get most of my programs and updates installed the other day.

This is either the fourth or fifth computer I've had in the last two years, all due to lightning. I figured out a way to get the DSL working even through a surge protector (well, I tried it and it worked, so figure that out), and I've been adamant about unplugging it during inclement weather - which we are facing right now, in fact. I may not be here long today because of that, just like yesterday.

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

Lucky

So I have has a run of bad luck lately, and that sucks. But I found The Sims where the cat had knocked it off the table and behind the TV, got my ongoing game reinstalled and installed a copy of the game on this PC. I also made it to the store so I actually have some food around here. If I ever get settled, I'll try to read some comics.

I've just gotten so burned on so many comic books the last two to three years that I'm just not in the mood to read comic books. I read Aquaman #2 the moment I got it, but stopped right there. I want to get into Daredevil, but I may go through the latest shipment and pick a few out of there, or even go for some advance issues and leave a review or two. Just depends on how my day plays out.

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day and a good week, and thanks for reading!

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

Sorry

I told you I would be busy yesterday, well I fell asleep once I got home. So that one is totally on me, though there really isn't much to report. I missed the Superbowl because it wouldn't come in here, but have seen most of the commercials since then. I may talk about that, since Superbowl Sunday is basically the last big holiday we have until Easter (excepting Valentine's Day and Presidents' Day, because not everyone celebrates those) and is distinctively American, but I may end up hitting upon some other stories or reviews along the way - we'll see.

Anyway, I'll try to keep it busy today but am making no promises. Again, I simply haven't received a lot of press releases lately. I may even have to get into some of the second-printing stuff just to make the content stretch, but I'll try to get caught-up to things today if I can.

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

Schedule

Hi guys and gals. I have some things to do this morning, but should be back this afternoon with more news and reviews. Things have slowed down because of this replacement computer I'm using. It's very hard to handle because it has only 1 GB RAM, so things lock-up and freeze if you get to doing much more than just surfing the Web. However, I am working on a solution that, while it may be a few weeks away, should take care of things. That's part of what this morning involves, and things won't get back to normal until I can get this matter resolved.

In the meanwhile, I have more time to read and review comics, I just haven't done any yet. No real reason to give, just haven't gotten around to it. I'll try to knock out a few today or tonight and get to some over the weekend, as I can. Like I said, I'd like to review at least one or two every week, I simply haven't gotten into the habit of doing so and every time I think about it, it's so late that I promise myself I'll do it next week. Like everything, it's just going to take some time, so bear with me.

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

Update

Still working on the computer situation and using the 1GB RAM backup computer in the meantime. It is very hard to work seriously on this machine, so I'm at a disadvantage. And, of course, I lost the last six months' worth of work... I'm seriously considering trying to connect the old hard drive in this replacement computer, but I don't want to lose this hard drive - which I'm likely to do if I remove it.

Anyway, I spent the weekend catching-up on my pop-culture and Hulu queue. I still haven't even cracked the new shipment of comics... just haven't felt like it much. I'll get to them this week or so, but I have no idea what to tell you to expect. I am in the middle of fixing this computer situation, so a lot is riding on that.

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

Things Change Course

Sorry for the absence, but things are hairy here with this replacement computer. It is really only meant to be used as a temporary replacement. It only has 1GB RAM and a broken microphone. I was going to upgrade it, but it would cost as much as it cost me to purchase the computer in the first place. I am not completely against this option, it just isn't ideal. At any rate, I am working on another option right this minute and it's taking my time.

Stick around, as we'll be back to posting regularly soon. Meanwhile, enjoy the archives.

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

Lots of Maintenance

Sorry if I confused you; I backposted some entries by mistake. Several of them were not supposed to go out until next year and I screwed-up the date when saving them, so they posted earlier in the year.

After five years or so, I've basically given up on the tags. Messing with those every few months or so really cuts into your time. I know that they are the only real navigational system you have for this mess, but they require management to be useful and I simply don't have the time to focus on that like I used to. I'm trying my best to actually live a real life and pursue some other avenues that I've wanted to try for years. I have no plans of leaving, just working ahead more and focusing on other projects.

Anyway, sorry if I screwed-up your feeds or anything and no, you aren't going crazy; I "deleted" some posts over the weekend while doing maintenance. They will appear in their rightful time.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Busy Week

I told you it would be, and I was right, but it wasn't quite as busy as it should have been thanks to a small weather scare which trapped me at home on one of the days I was supposed to be busy. I had to reschedule something because it snowed a little here and they were calling for more, though it didn't come.

I'm almost through the second ongoing of Green Arrow. I've already read the latest two (from the latest reboot). Next I finish-up The Flash, but since I have no idea which is the last issue I read and it's been so long since I read any of them, I'm re-reading the entire thing. Once that is done, I'll basically be caught-up on the DC side of things - at least according to the books I read.

I couldn't begin to tell you where I plan on starting with the Marvel titles. I know the latest Daredevil is in there, as well as a few others, and I've already gotten through the latest Thunderbolts. I'm just going through what I fell off the wagon reading this year, and there's an awful lot of it.

I've also been working on TV. I got through to the second season of Breaking Bad, which is pretty good. A few weeks ago, I got through most of Mad Men. So I'm finally getting caught-up to about a year behind pop-culture. I'd blame my lack of cable/satellite, but the truth is that I missed a few episodes from some of these and wanted to see them all in order. Besides, I'm getting the major touchstones; I'll just have to remain in the dark about some things until I get the opportunity and time to catch-up on them as well.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Busy Next Week

I moved the corkboard upstairs after two years of knowing I wasn't going to be able to setup a studio down there and, in so doing, realized just how busy my next week is. I am writing this because I just started getting back into the comics and reviewing them. I am still going to be catching-up as I work, since some of it involves a little travel (not far, or for very long, or anything), but I won't be able to get back to blogging it as soon as usual. I know it hasn't been that soon lately, but you get the gist of what I'm saying.

But it'll all work-out since everyone will be coming down off their Thanksgiving and Black Friday stuff. I'll try to have some content up to gawk at, but I can't promise anything but a few sketchy posts at best and some PR. It's busy for everyone around this time of the year, so bear with me.

Just a heads-up.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Goings On

I have one day to catch-up on American Horror Story, which I didn't even know was available on Hulu, so I'm doing that today. It's a bit over-the-top, but it's still a good show and I like it enough that I am willing to forsake a handful of hours today making sure I'm up-to-date on it.

Also in TV news, I caught all the trailing episodes of Louie, which is a great show. I mention this in case you haven't seen it or stopped watching because Hulu wasn't upping your subscription (it did that to me on several shows and I had to go through yesterday and re-add them). Louie gets a lot of critical praise and I have to admit that even though I enjoyed it, I wasn't as "ga-ga" over it as the rest... but the Joan Rivers episode established me securely as a fan. Don't get me wrong: I watched a slew of them back-to-back yesterday and enjoyed them all, the episode "Joan" just caught me a bit off-guard and really cemented my feelings about the show.

The best comic book I've read recently is Aquaman #1. I just got a shipment of comics, so I'm not sure if I have #2 or #3, but the first issue was just self-aware enough to be fun without getting mired down in the whole "meta" thing. Writer Geoff Johns also uses a very clever device for introducing and establishing Aquaman and his entire milieu. I'm really looking forward to wherever this is going!

It doesn't look like I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving with my family this year as everyone has to work either that day or very early in the morning Friday, so no one can do the travel time and no one really wants to deal with the whole thing on top of everything else. I may or may not be posting that day, but I'll definitely be posting all the way around that day, so be sure to stop by and see what I'm up to.

I'm going to try to catch-up on my reading, as well as my TV, so there may be more reviews in the near future. I'm still trying to get to a point where I can bring you reviews regularly, but my plate is so full that it's just not always possible. And once you drop the habit, it's hard to get back into the routine. I sometimes fall as much as two or three months behind in my comics reading - even more on some titles - and this is why I'm not more active across other peoples' blogs: I don't want to stumble across spoilers. It's bad enough having to run PR three and four months in advance of the comics - especially when I haven't read the title in three or four months already...

And that's largely what's going on.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Obligatory Post

Actually, my birthday was 10-10-10 last year and I made no big deal of it. In retrospect, I wish I had, but there wasn't much that I could have done; I was stuck around the house, no matter what. Still, it really was a once in a lifetime thing... but then, so was turning 36.

Anyway, I wanted to commemorate this time.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Yep, it's Saturday night now; I missed Saturday Morning Cartoons again but I'll try not to let it happen again. I went ahead and scheduled some for upcoming weeks. I also apologize for the 31 Days of Horror Movie Reviews, but this is the first time I've done anything for my birthday literally in like 10 years and I may have gone a bit overboard on it.

Anyway, I'm still reviewing movies and still have things working, they just haven't come together as neatly as I'd planned, so forgive me. This is one of the main reasons I haven't tried harder to break into the industry: I'm just not good with deadlines and never have been. Of course, knowing one's weaknesses without doing much about them is no excuse.

We'll see what we can pull out from our hat, though.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011